Being diagnosed at 34, then again at 37, is a quick way to gain knowledge of breast cancer and the impact it can have on a family and oneís life. After moving back to Lubbock in 1998, I decided to become more active in the Susan G. Komen Foundation and everything that it strives to achieve. My hope is my daughter, nor any other family member, will ever have to suffer this disease. I believe Komen provides the hope and the plan to not only educate women about breast cancer and support women suffering from the disease, but to pave a path to find a cure.
It was with little hesitation that I agreed to co-chair the 2008 Lubbock Race. Komen is a top notch organization that has a clear mission. Over 75 percent of every dollar that is raised through the Race and other events stays in the Lubbock community. The other 25 percent funds national research targeted at curing breast cancer. Komen is second only to the federal government in funding for breast cancer research.
The race has continued to grow over the years, and we expect over 7,000 participants for the 2008 Race that will be held at the Civic Center the morning of October 4th. The official goal is to raise $400,000 that we can put back in the community. My personal goal is to pass $500,000 ñ half a million dollars that can fund mammograms, education and support for the people of West Texas. The Covenant mobile mammography unit, ìReach to Recoveryî and the YWCAís breast health program are just a few of the programs funded by the race.
You never think it can happen to you, but one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Statistics like that make it likely we all will be touched, ourselves, a friend/co-worker or family member, by breast cancer. I am confident with the dollars raised here in Lubbock, and by the Susan G. Komen National Foundation, we will find a cure.
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How can you help? Obviously, you can come out on October 4 and walk/run the race with us. Registration is only $25 and that includes a race shirt. Our focus this year is to not only gather participants, but we are asking for pledges from those who cannot participate in the race. Just a few pledge dollars can fund a mammogram for a woman in West Texas. The website makes it easy to ask friends and family for pledges or to just pledge dollars toward the race.
If neither of those options works for you, you can Sleep In for the Cure for $30. You receive a shirt and a pillow case to snooze on while the rest of us walk. It is a fun event where we raise money, but also celebrate and support our survivors. There is a Pink CafÈ area set aside just to spoil breast cancer survivors! After the Race, it takes on more of a carnival atmosphere. We have some outstanding sponsors who provide free food and drinks. We even have a kidís area with fun activities and face painting. The best way to sign up is on the web at www.komenlubbock.org. You can pay your registration and even ask people to support you through our online tools. It is easy! If you have any problems, call us at (806) 698-1900. We are happy to help or take paper registration. Day of the race, you can register at the Civic Center from 6:30-8 a.m.
I race for my daughter, my sister, my friends and co-workers to ensure that we find the answer to this disease. Who will you race for? Help me hit $500,000!
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