The 10-mile walk was yesterday and it was impressive! There were 965 registered walkers and over 100,000 dollars was raised! Both of those numbers are astounding, but the other set of numbers is what got me. Literally took my breath away.
5-10% of breast cancer cases are inherited. 5-10%, people!! Inherited! That means that 90% of cases are from diet, lifestyle and whatever else is being studied and blamed these days. I thought it was the other way around. I thought my biggest fears, my ONLY fears were skin cancer and heart disease. Both of which I will inherit, but both of which I can keep at bay for a very long time. I make healthy choices. I make smart choices. I eat properly, I exercise, I wear loads of sunscreen.
But for all the good choices I make, I don't do one big, huge, ginormous thing to keep myself healthy. A REGULAR self exam. Ladies, this is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Once a month. That's it! Fellas, you love your sisters? Wives? Mommas? I know it's awkward, but ask them, remind them, slip them the info. Would you rather discuss breast exams or funeral plans?
http://cms.komen.org/komen/AboutBreastCancer/index.htm
As staggering as the statistic is. As much as it has made an impression on me, one other thing was staggering. I saw more "In Celebration of..." signs than i saw "In Memory of...". It's fantastic! Strides for prevention and early detection have been a huge part of that. I pray that this pattern continues.
Sis-in-law, Mom and I had a great afternoon of speed walking (swing those arms!) and talking. Of paddling a dragon boat and of stashing loaves of bread into butt-bags (funny if you were there). I'll look for you all next year! Peace and love my friends!
This man's celebration sign made us go "awwww". Pitter-patter went our hearts! It reads "In Celebration of ... My Wife/BFF"
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