It's only 3 days before the Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk and 10 before the Baltimore half marathon. I can't believe it but I'm ready. In this moment, I'm also feeling that I must sieze the opportunity to thank you all. In the year since my diagnosis (Oct 17th, 2007) I have lived through a lot of rough and scary moments. But you were there for me with everything from jokes and good vibes to money in support of my "cause". I didn't realize what a truly wonderful support system I have. But now I know and appreciate it much more than I can say. But I will say thank you right now.
I also want to give a special thank you to my super "Tough Alliance" teammates. Together we raised over $60,000 in just a few short months. I'll try not to burst into tears - but probably will anyway - when we're walking along or watching the sappy videos. But I'll be crying because you all are so great to have dedicated yourselves to this journey and will take it beside me. Thank you. And if any of you out there has not had a chance to make a contribution, but would still like to, it's not too late. There's still time to contribute to anyone on the team, even up to 4 weeks after the walk.
Last, I can't let this moment pass without thanking my brilliant and lovely sister and mom, Moni and Jeanne, and also my extremely brilliant and hansome husband, Kyle. YOU ARE THE BEST! I had to say it out loud to all. Without you I would be in truly sorry shape. Thanks to you I can resume my life and not look back, after only one small year. And, I'm delighted to mention that I have a brand new neice born in August, named after me, Kate Adele Medina. My wonderful brother told me that they named her in my honor because of my difficult year with breast cancer. What a tribute! I extrapolate that Kate was also named for all people who've suffered with breast cancer, but more importantly she's named for all the people who fight against it.
Anyway, thanks for joining my rebellion. Thanks for seeing to it that our daughters won't have to hear that diagnosis. Because of all of you, my year wasn't as horrible as it could have been. Because of you, I'm a survivor.
LOVE, a
Breast Cancer Facts:
Breast cancer is the leading cancer among American women and is second only to lung cancer in cancer deaths.
One woman is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes and one woman will die of breast cancer every 13 minutes in the United States.
An estimated 40,460 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer in 2008.
Only 5 to 10 percent of breast cancers are due to heredity. The majority of women with breast cancer have no known significant family history or other known risk factors.
African Americans have the highest death rate from breast cancer of any racial/ethnic group in the United States.
Without a cure, 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer - a devastating disease with physical, emotional, psychological and financial pain that can last a lifetime.
Without a cure, an estimated 5 million Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer - and more than 1 million could die - over the next 25 years.
Breast Cancer 3-Day Facts :
The Breast Cancer 3-Day is a 60-mile walk for women and men who want to make a personal difference in the fight to end breast cancer. Participants make a commitment to meet an individual fundraising goal of $2,200 and spend several months training to prepare for the event. They devote the entire three-day weekend to the cause.
Since its inception in 2003, more than $220 million has been raised through Breast Cancer 3-Day donations, contributions and sponsorships.
In 2006, the Breast Cancer 3-Day raised $86 million through donations, contributions and sponsorships. Of that, more than $61 million, representing 71% of funds raised, was invested in breast cancer research, education, and community outreach in 2006. The 71% return to charity exceeds the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Standards for Charity Accountability: www.give.org.
Breast Cancer 3-Day Beneficiaries:
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Eighty-five percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer.
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure® and the Breast Cancer 3-Day, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill its promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org or call 1.877.GO KOMEN.
National Philanthropic Trust
Fifteen percent of the net proceeds from the Breast Cancer 3-Day benefits the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, a special field of interest fund that will provide support for breast cancer initiatives including research, treatment, prevention and education. The NPT Breast Cancer Fund is an endowment, which will ensure that the cause receives long-term, continuing support irrespective of gifting activities in years to come.
National Philanthropic Trust (NPT), the event manager, is an independent public charity dedicated to promoting and facilitating charitable giving by individuals, families and organizations while expanding their knowledge in the field of philanthropy.
Founded in 1996, NPT is one of the 100 largest charities in the United States with more than $675 million in assets under management. Since its inception, NPT has raised more than $1.2 billion in charitable assets, and made more than 22,500 grants to U.S. and international charities totaling $650 million. Led by a national board of trustees and a team of professionals with more than 100 years of combined philanthropic experience, NPT has proven expertise in the stewardship of charitable donations. For more information, visit www.nptrust.org.
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