As the months pass on, so does life. Since it is October, we celebrate National Brest Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) as we have for the past 25 years. In today's society, we are faced with many difficult decisions and news about various illnesses is in abundance. Cancer is becoming more prevalent and people are dying at younger ages. One of the most talked about and discussed cancers is breast cancer, with an estimated 192,370 new cases is expected this year alone (Organization, 2010).
Since this is a current pop culture topic, there are many avenues to this disease. From information to statistics, breast cancer is a topic which every woman thinks about at one point in their lives. Although there are an estimated 2.5 million survivors, there are a number of people who do not make it. Moreover, this disease is not picky; it affects both men and women.
Every year throughout the United States, Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure makes a difference. There are races, fund-raising evens, and partnerships that are led by the sister of Susan G. Komen, Nancy G Brinker. She made a promise to her sister that she would continue the fight against breast cancer, even though her sister Susan could not. After Susan's death at the age of 36, Nancy continued her promise that she made to her sister and started a foundation raise awareness so that others could live. Nancy started the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.
Since 1982, Nance has continued to support her sister through her will power and dedication to overcoming this harsh disease. "Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1.5 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world" (Cure, 2010). As the race continues, so do the donations as the foundation continues to create new ideas to bring about awareness to everyone.
Each year, Columbus hosts the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, as participants from all over the country gather in the streets of downtown Columbus to race for the cure. The participants pay an entry fee and are provided with a shirt and a race number. Even though many people consider this a true race, it is more of a race for the ultimate cause, a cure for breast cancer. Since each participant pays an entry fee, most of the proceeds go to fund breast cancer research and each participant can also donate more to the cause, above the race entry fee.
Since many people know a little about breast cancer, there is a need for donations to continue the research. The Susan G. Komen foundation is only one of hundreds who are striving to fund the research. One of the most important quotes that Nancy G. Brinker said was "could one person really make a difference?" (Cure, Susan G. Komen's Story, 2010). The answer is simple, yes; everyone can make a difference no matter the donation. It could be in form of money, volunteering, or even becoming an activist.
For more information about the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure, visit www.komenoc.org/ or http://ww5.komen.org/default.aspx.
As many people have heard breast cancer is suddenly being heard of more and more now days. A popular celebrity, Christina Applegate was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Once she found out she had breast cancer, she did something about it and came public about her breast cancer to raise awareness to everyone in the world. Christina Applegate is now an advocate for breast cancer and is helping others who struggle with this cancer. Another great example would be Heather Pick, a news anchor from 10TV Central Ohio news. Heather struggled for years with this cancer battle. Heather was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 and beat the deadly disease, but then in 2005 the deadly disease suddenly returned and claimed her life in 2008. Heather fought a great fight and brought many awarenesses to many people watched the 10TV news. As many know, there is now a special team set up as 'Heather's Team" for the race for the cure Susan G. Komen's race in Columbus, Ohio. Many people have joined her team and run and walk with pink wigs in memory of her. Just to name one other hero that has raised awareness to breast cancer and lost her long battle is Stefanie Spielman. Stefanie lost her battle to breast cancer in 2009. As awareness for breast cancer increases, so will the lives in which will be saved.
References:
Cure, S.G. (2010, October). Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Our work. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from the Susan G. Koman for the Cure: http://ww5.komen.org/AboutUs/OurWork.html
Cure, S.G. (2010, October). Susan G. Komen's Story. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from Susan G. Komen for the Cure: http://ww5.komen.org/AboutUs/SusanGKomensStory.html
Organization, N.B. (2010). Disease Information-Breast Cancer. Retrieved October 21, 2010, from National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Organization: http://www.nbcam.org/disease_breast_cancer.cfm
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