Join the Fight Against Breast Cancer Now!

As I was compiling this particular issue of the Community Word, my inner self kept telling me to “just do it.” And, since none of my readers chose to send in editorial content, I decided this was indeed the right time to do it. It was, after all, the month of May and May in Peoria means it’s time for the Race for the Cure.

I’ve always been proud to be a Peorian and to support Peoria’s Race for the Cure, which is one of 117 such races nation-wide. It’s a very worthy cause. The Susan Komen Foundation, as most of you know, does great and wonderful things for breast cancer patients.

I have to admit, however, that in the past I had no personal ties to this topic of breast cancer. I thought I was well-informed on this issue, but I was wrong.

Last summer, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. To say that it turned my life upside down would be a gross understatement. I am lucky that I caught it early and I am lucky that we have wonderful resources in Peoria for the treatment of this disease. I’ve now completed my treatments of chemotherapy and radiation and still have four months left to go on another less invasive treatment. While I haven’t quite yet reached that official status of being a cancer-free “survivor,” I feel that I am. It was a sobering and life-changing experience for me and my family. I am also extremely lucky to have had an awesome support system of family and friends and co-workers.

As we approach this great Peoria race, I would like to encourage all of you to support it and to learn more about this topic. Encourage the women in your life to do a monthly self exam and to get mammograms annually.

While I haven’t exactly kept my cancer diagnosis a secret, I didn’t have the strength yet to “go public.” I feel stronger now and have decided that May would be a great time to show my support of the Komen Foundation’s efforts. For those of you interested in donating money to this great cause, you can help me to raise funds for it. I recently registered online with my own Race for the Cure webpage, where people can easily donate online. If you’re so inclined, you could go online to donate money for this great cause here or you still have some time left to go ahead and register for Race Day.