some interesting information

The information below was taken from the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure website.

Breast Cancer Facts:

The greatest risk factors for breast cancer are being female and growing older.

Early detection and effective treatment for breast cancer have been shown to improve survival.

Making healthy lifestyle choices may reduce your risk of breast cancer.

There are about 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. today.

Breast cancer affects more than just the patient - co-survivors (friends, family and co-workers) need support too.

One person is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States.

Nearly 2,000 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Facts:

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 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 $2,300 and spend several months training to prepare for the event. They devote the entire three-day weekend to the cause.

Komen 3-Day for the Cure walkers travel an average of 20 miles a day during the event. Participants are provided meals, snacks, drinks, shower facilities, tents, safety guidelines and 24-hour medical support -- all resources needed for a safe and memorable experience. The all-volunteer Crew spends the entire weekend with walkers and staff to make the event possible.

In 2008, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Series raised more than $110 million through donations, contributions and sponsorships. Of that, more than $79 million, representing 72 percent of funds raised, was invested in breast cancer research and community programs. The 72 percent return to charity exceeds the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Standards for Charity Accountability: www.give.org.

Since its inception in 2003, more than $400 million has been raised through Komen 3-Day for the Cure donations, contributions and sponsorships. Starting in 2010, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® strengthened its commitment to the event by becoming the organizer bringing it closer into the fold of Komen for the Cure family of events.

The 2010 Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Series includes events in:
Arizona (Nov. 12-14)
Atlanta (Oct. 22-24)
Boston (July 23-25)
Chicago (Aug. 6-8)
Cleveland (July 30 - Aug. 1)
Dallas/Fort Worth (Nov. 5-7)
Denver (Aug. 27-29)
Michigan (Aug. 13-15)
Philadelphia (Oct. 15-17)
San Diego (Nov. 19-21)
San Francisco Bay Area (Oct. 1-3)
Seattle (Sept. 24-26)
Tampa Bay (Oct. 29-31)
Twin Cities (Aug. 20-22)
Washington, DC (Oct. 8-10)

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Net proceeds from the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the CureTM are invested in breast cancer research and community programs.

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 Komen 3-Day for the Cure, the organization has invested more than $1.3 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.

it has begun...

I have sent out my first set of fundraising letters. I have a big task to raise $2300. This is no easy feat so I want to get started early.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure is recognized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit by the federal government and all donations are tax-deductible.

If you do itemize you deductions, maybe you could consider making a donation in 2009 and then another in 2010. Just a thought. :)

Thanks for your consideration.

in case you wondering where some of the money goes

The Orange County affiliate for the Susan G. Komen for the cure recently gave $900,000 to many local non-profits. click here

my neighbor and friend

I personally have not had breast cancer or anything close to it. I do know of some people who have, though. Quite a few actually. Several are survivor's, one was not.

Several years ago my friend and neighbor Jenny was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time she was in her mid-twenties, a singe-mom with two young kids Noah and Aubrey both under the age of 8. She found the lump herself and when she addressed it with her doctor's they actually told her it probably was a swollen gland go home and watch it. This may have been due to her age since it is quite rare to get breast cancer in your twenties, although it does happen. It took persistence on her part and several months later tests confirmed she had cancer. Long story short she had a double-mastectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. Her cancer went into remission. She was able to go back to work only part-time since he had many doctor appointments.

Time passed. One day our kids were playing outside and she was telling me how her back kept hurting. She thought it was her chair at work. The next day again her back was not better. Finally, she went into the doctor to have it checked out. Shock. She had a tumor in her spine and cancer had mastetized to other parts of her body. Her doctors at Kaiser said there was nothing else they could do for her. I remember for a week straight her mom was fighting to try and get her into City of Hope. No luck. She went into the hospital shortly after. I was able to speak to her by phone when she came out of ICU. She said to me, "I am going to die." I told her she was not going to and told her she would be fine. I would see her soon.

She died the next day. This was 3 years ago. She was 29.