So as many of you know pink is one of my favorite colors. I rock it with pride. Even more so because it's a color with a cause. Just in case you haven't heard...October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Breast cancer. Those are two very scary words. I challenge you to find a single person who has not been personally touched by those words. I could spout off statistics and facts, but that's not what this blog is about. This blog is about telling my story.
My story begins in 1988. I was seven years old and my grandmother was fighting breast cancer. She was fighting for her life and I didn't even know it. My grandmother was a fighter, a woman who didn't take much from anyone, had no problems telling it like it is and had an attitude all her own. I am oft told that I am like her. Basically I put the ass in sass.
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| Frances and George dancing in the kitchen |
I found out that she was a survivor when I was in high school, and one random day was talking about Breast Cancer with Dad. Complete shock. I had no idea. Honestly it took a while to sink in...I just didn't believe it at first. Not possible, no way. But it was true. She had survived 13 years when she passed away in 2001. I was lucky enough to be able to visit with her before she passed and say our goodbyes. I miss her every day.
My story doesn't end with my loss. I was lucky to have a woman like my Grandma Fran in my life, and I want to honor her. I honor her by being me, living every day to my potential and by walking with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.
In 2000, as a sophomore in college, my sorority, Theta Phi Alpha decided to participate in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event in Boston. I was more than happy to help raise funds and walk for this cause that is close to my heart.
Since 2000 I have walked in Boston every year. In college with Theta Phi and then with team Got P!nk ever since. That's ten years of walking for my grandmother. Ten years of putting one foot in front of the other towards hope that someday, no woman or man will have to battle those two scary words. Breast Cancer.
I am not the only one of my friends to be touched by Breast Cancer. Everyone has a story. One of my best friends lost her aunt last year during her second battle with the disease. As an adopted member of their family, the loss of Ellen, who fought courageously for so long, is hard. Ellen was another of the world's sassy ladies who was taken too soon. Another friend's mother is celebrating 5 years cancer free this year. She is a great example of the power each of us possess inside. We have the power and strength to achieve and overcome anything thrown in our direction. Another's grandmother was just diagnosed in the past month. The stories keep coming. We are all touched by Breast Cancer.
If you're looking for a way to help, want to earn some warm fuzzy feelings by doing something good, or you're just looking for a tax write off at the end of the year consider donating to Making Strides. It's not too late! Here are some pictures from the 2010 walk!
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| Got P!nk 2010 |
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