Friends, Family, Loved Ones:
I just made the commitment to join the Seattle 3 day breast cancer walk. In September, over the course of three beautiful Seattle days (rain or shine) I will be walking 60 miles as a bold protest against breast cancer. In order to participate, I have made the pledge to raise $2,300 which the net proceeds will support breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment through Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund. Before I ask for your help, let me tell you a little bit more about why I decided to take on this event.
The leader of my team (for the walk) uses the phrase “I hate Cancer” at the begining of every paragraph in her letters. I think it is a shocking and bold statement. We are so gentle when we talk about cancer, but why should we be gentle to it, if it is not gentle to us? I am reminded (and if you know me well, you’ll laugh) of how the wizards in Harry Potter won’t say Lord Voldemort’s name. But a name only has power if we give it power, and so Harry and his friends choose to fight that fear by saying Lord Voldemort’s name in a kind of protest. I won’t give cancer the power of fear. Instead, I choose to fight it by participating in this walk. And I choose to fight it for my friends and loved ones who have had to face cancer and fight cancer – a much more difficult feat than my meager 60 miles.
This year alone, I have seen two beautiful women and mentors fight breast cancer – one was only a few years older than me (I’m 26). I watched their families and friends rally together, create support systems and fight. I have been blessed, so far, to see these women winning their fights, but I am aware that things could be different, and the next woman in my life to face cancer might not be so lucky. According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease. That’s why I’m walking. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me – by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.
I know that times are tough for all of us this year, but I think that we can rally together and fight this cause. If you are not financially able, then send me your prayers or positive thoughts! But if you can offer even the smallest amount (one year I donated $10 instead of going to a movie that weekend), just follow this link to visit my personal fund raising webpage and make a donation. You can also call 800.996.3DAY to donate over the phone, or click on the widget in the right hand column of this blog.
The last thing I want to tell you as my blog readers, is that I will be creating a page on this blog completely dedicated to my training and fund raising for this event, so be on the look out for it!
Thank you for taking the time and reading this unusually long winded post. It really does mean the world to me.
Peace and Safe Boobies,
Christina
And because, I have appeared to have chosen a Harry Potter theme (maybe I always wanted to be a wizard, who knows…) I want to leave you with this quote:
“…in the light of Voldemort’s return, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. Lord Voldemort’s gift for spreading discord and enmity is very great. We can fight it only by showing an equally strong bond of friendship and trust. Differences of habit and language are nothing at all if our aims are identical and our hearts are open.” – Albus Dumbledore
