I am so proud...

of my four children, my son-in-law, my grandson Alex and all their friends who will be supporting me and all the other breast cancer survivors by participating in Saturday's Massachusetts Komen Race for the Cure, taking place in Boston.  This gang has raised over $1000 on behalf of "Hall A$$ for the Cure" and the Komen Foundation.   Thank you to Paul's parents for your support and  Grandma Rose who made a generous donation.   Our team tshirts are getting some great mileage!

And thank you to my friend Donna who got me involved in the Komen Race for the Cure more than a decade ago.  Rick and I have walked with Donna and John almost every year since Donna was first diagnosed with breast cancer about 14 years ago.  My daughter Allison has walked with us when she lived here.   Our hubbies have sacrificed their Sunday morning golf each year to support this cause.

Twelve years ago, Donna was diagnosed with a recurrence and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy.  Since that time, she had been cancer-free.  And she and John were very supportive during my recent breast cancer treatments. 

But you see, there is no "cure" for breast cancer.  And at dinner a couple weeks ago, Donna told us that she now has breast cancer in her other breast!  How can that be?  How can someone have breast cancer for a third time?  After twelve years?  Because breast cancer is insidious, that's why.  It doesn't really matter that you've had it before and fought with everything in your power to banish it, that you do all the right things they "say" helps to prevent a recurrence, like eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, taking those "anti-hormones" or anti-breast cancer supplements...it doesn't always matter.  It doesn't matter that the odds are only 1 in 8 that you will get it in your lifetime, if you are that "1".  If you are a woman, you could be that "1".    More than once.

A woman's breast cancer journey is, once it begins, a lifelong trip.  It's a "rest of your life" worry that it could come back.  Because there is no cure.  You cannot dwell on this fact, you must carry on with your life in a positive manner and appreciate every single day.  Because there is no cure.  And there is no way to know whether or not you'll be that "1" again.  Because there is no cure.

We need a cure.  The Komen "Race for the Cure" is our hope.  It is our hope for ourselves, for our friends, our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our granddaughters, and all generations to come. 

Please continue to support the Race for the Cure, wherever you live.