Detroit "Race for the Cure" -- It's a Family Thing!

From the first day of my cancer diagnosis, I said that cancer is a "family" illness. One person is sick, but everyone is affected. For good and for bad.


My cancer journey, since September 2006, has been such a series of ups and downs. One bright spot was walking in the Indianapolis Komen race with my mom and three sisters in April 2008. I drove 7 hours to get to Indianapolis and to walk the 3K race -- even though I had been diagnosed with a recurrence of my breast cancer only a few weeks prior.


Trust me, I considered not going to the race at all. No one would have blamed me, given the circumstances. But that race day was thrilling for me -- to see cancer survivors lined up by year of survivorship. Some had survived 25+ years! To walk through the "survivor's parade," and see the look on my mom's face... a mixture of worry, hope, love and encouragement. A mother's look.


I decided that day that my family in Michigan needed to have a day like this -- to see the number of survivors, to feel the support and encouragement of so many others who have been touched -- for good and for bad -- by cancer.


On Saturday, May 30, my family will have that day. We will walk in the Komen Race in Detroit: Paul, myself, Shane, Tyler, Liam, my sister-in-law Karen and her husband Scott. It is a family affair. Just like the day of my diagnosis. But May 30 will be a day for reflection. For looking back, and most assuredly for looking FORWARD.


Susan G. Komen is a name that many people recognize as a leader in cancer research and funding. It has that recognition for good reason -- the foundation has invested more than $1 billion in breast cancer education and research since it beginning in 1982. But what many people do not know is that the foundation was started in Susan's name by her younger sister, Nancy G. Brinker. During Susan's fight with breast cancer, she focused her thoughts on making life better for other women battling breast cancer. Nancy vowed to carry forward Susan's legacy, and thus the Susan G. Komen Foundation was born. From the love of a sister. A family thing.


We would be honored if you would sponsor one (or several) of us in this year's race (just click on our names to get to our donation pages). The money raised in Michigan stays in Michigan: 75% of the race's net income funds breast cancer screening, treatment and education programs. A minimum of 25% of the race's net income supports the Komen Award and Research Grant Program, which fund breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. It is an investment that you can feel good about. Thank you in advance for being generous.

Susan G. Komen For The Cure(R) to Invest $60 Million in Research

I just read an update that says a $6.4 million Komen Promise Grant, co-funded by the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBCF), will investigate ways to add a new drug, along with chemotherapy, to fight triple negative breast cancer.

Scientists will also look for ways to predict which therapies will prove most effective for triple negative breast cancer patients (like me!!).

The full article is available at http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/susan-g-komen-curer-invest/story.aspx?guid=%7B3E390809-8051-431D-9106-1893EA072137%7D&dist=msr_2

This is one example of how funds, donated to the Komen institute through walks like I'm partcipating in in Indianapolis, turn into real research and real treatments!

To sponsor my in the Indianapolis Komen walk, please use the following link: http://race.komenindy.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1212504&pg=personal&fr_id=1060

Thank you! :-)