I'm the Rachel Annie wrote about in her blog (thanks, Annie!). I'm training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in San Francisco on July 7th and 8th. We're going to walk 39.3 miles over two days to raise money and awareness to help find prevention and a cure for breast cancer, and to help those already afflicted gain access to medical attention.
I'm a cancer survivor (lymphoma) about 3.5 years out of treatment (I had 9 months of chemo and a month of radiation). My experience with cancer treatment wasn't that bad. I had access to the latest technology and medications, and though it was hard, I actually managed to work full time during my entire treatment. I want anyone else who comes down with this disease to have the same access I did to the best help available. Better yet, I want them not to get it at all.
Before I was diagnosed, I didn't give cancer much thought. I knew about the various charities raising money to find a cure, but I figured they were huge and well funded. And besides, cancer hadn't really touched my life. I ate well, led a healthy lifestyle, and didn't smoke. It couldn't happen to me, right? Well, it did. And it happened to my brother too - we're the first ones in the family to get it. He wasn't as lucky as I was - he died nearly 3 years ago (coincidentally, the first day of this walk takes place on the anniversary of his death). Since then I've lost several friends, including one just this past weekend to it.
So I'm walking for them. I'm walking for myself, to celebrate that I'm still here and able to do so. I'm walking in support of those who are currently battling it. And most of all, I'm walking for everyone else, who I hope never has to experience it.
Anything at all that you can offer toward helping me support this cause will be accepted gratefully and will mean so very much to me. Donors so far have given between $10 and several hundred. Every dollar counts!
Thanks so much.
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