Those of us who have had one of the many forms of cancer, or have had a loved one or friend come down with the disease, know the physical and emotional toll it can take on them, as well as on the people close to them. For the women who have contracted breast cancer, the toll it takes on them and their families can be far greater. Unfortunately, the emotional scars of having contracted breast cancer can remain long after the cancer is gone.
Aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. Breast cancer is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women. It is the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the USA in 2006 (the most recent year numbers are available):
191,410 women were diagnosed with breast cancer.
40,820 women died from breast cancer.
This means that each and every one of us will probably know someone – our mother, or sister, or daughter, or friend, or co-worker, or one of their friends, who has or will become afflicted with this terrible disease.
Earlier this year a co-worker of mine received the sad news that their sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer. I saw the pain that it caused for my co-worker, and easily imagined how much pain their sister and the whole family was going through. It is heart breaking to know that an energetic young woman, a great mom with small children at home, would have to deal with something like this so early on in her life.
As a way of trying to show support for my co-worker and the family, I have registered to participate in the June 2011 Ride Across Maryland. The Ride Across Maryland is a motorcycle ride to Maryland destinations, to raise money for breast cancer research. The primary designee is the Komen for a Cure, MD Affiliate. In their 10 years of holding the event, they have donated over $2 million and have become the largest 3rd party fundraiser for Komen in the world!
If you are a motorcycle rider, I ask that you consider participating in the Ride Across Maryland on June 4, 2011. If you are not a motorcycle rider or unable to participate, I ask that you please consider supporting this worthy cause and make a small donation. Although we are all feeling the pinch in these tough economic times, if each one of us made a $5.00 donation to the event, we could make a huge difference in fight against breast cancer.
If you are interested in making a donation, you can do so online at: http://www.rideacrossmaryland.org/participant/lc. For those interested in participating in the event, you can go to the same web page and click on “Register Now” to sign up for the ride. If you know anyone who is a motorcycle rider, please let them know about this event and encourage them to participate or provide their support.
I know that this is a blatant and very forward request for help, but this is a serious disease and I would appreciate any help that you can provide.
