Before you roll your eyes thinking that this is just another call for fundraising, consider this: Once upon a time, Breast Cancer was believed to affect women over the age of 40. Today, the statistics are staggering. 1100 women under the age of 40 are being diagnosed with Breast Cancer every year. What's even more scary is that 62 women in Canada are diagnosed with Breast Cancer every bloody day. It's not just our Moms, our Grandmothers or our Aunts that are being hit with this cancer. It's our friends, our sisters...it's ourselves. It's not just genetic. Only 5 - 10% of cases are caused by genetics. Every woman is at risk no matter age, race or DNA.
Et Lofte Events is taking part in the CIBC Run for the Cure on September 30, 2012. I personally will be running my butt off (5 KM ) to raise funds for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Why? Until I personally saw the destruction that Breast Cancer can cause, I was always non-chalant about it. That perception has changed emmensely. I personally have seen what Breast Cancer can do when it rears it's ugly head. Having been attacked by Breast Cancer twice my mother struggled through repeated radiation treatments, a double masectomy and a constant fear of it coming back for a third and last time. My Mother-in-law has struggled through chemo when Breast Cancer struck her. I recently have heard from a dear colleague in the wedding industry that has been hit with Breast Cancer.
And for me personally, being a "high" risk candidate for Breast Cancer and undergoing yearly mammograms and MRIs means always looking over my shoulder and wondering if this is the year that they will tell me those four anguish-ridden words: "You have Breast Cancer". So I'm running for a future where no woman has to live in fear, dread or suffer under the hideous grip of Breast Cancer. When you donate to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation your money goes to research programs, education and awareness. Genetic screening for example (which made it possible to discover my high risk of getting Breast Cancer) is just one of the many incredible programs that have come out of research and funding.
This is not just a request for donations. It's a plea for awareness. Even if you can't donate to the cause, you can promise This Planner here and now that you will get checked often and be aware. The more aware you are of this crazy cancer, the better your chances of stopping it before it hits home.
Let's wipe out Breast Cancer and make pink just another colour again.
*statistics taken from cbcf.org and rethinkbreastcancer.com
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