Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure

My dear friend, colleague and guardian will walk three days for the Breast Cancer Cure. Read her message and please give what you can for the good cause:

Dear Family and Friends,

Next September 23-25, I’ll be participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk for the Breast Cancer Cure.

You all know that I am not a natural born athlete – I abhor all all unnecessary movement. So why am I planning to trek 60 miles over the course of three days with thousands of other women and men?

First, the 3-Day Walk helps to fund critical, innovative breast cancer research in leading institutions around the world. Second, the 3-Day also supports local community programs that provide educational outreach and medical services. These programs are very important to many who struggle in this tough economy as they make screening and treatment available to thousands of women who otherwise could not afford tests and treatment.

In the long run, we hope to go beyond mammograms and early intervention to a true cure. Many important advances in the fight against breast cancer have been made possible through Komen-for-the-Cure grants. Each of us knows someone who has benefited from this research – or who will benefit in the future.

I’ve agreed to raise at least $2,300 in donations. So I need your help – and who knows – we may all be surprised by the amount we are able to raise. Would you please consider making a donation? Every gift will mean a great deal when we combine them, and every donation will be deeply appreciated.

Now, I’m supposed to impress upon you the great distance I’m walking – 60 miles! – and how hard I’ll have to train – boo hoo. I’m doubting the wisdom of playing the training hardship violin since I’m pretty sure we’ll all get ice cream in the end. I’m not the one facing a hardship, we’ve all had friends and family who have. So let’s think of those who’ve fought breast cancer and give in their honor. The Komen folks urge us to suggest a specific donation amount, but I know that you have varied needs and responsibilities, and that your means range – so I will not name a universal number. Please give what you can, what you feel comfortable with, and know that every gift will make a difference.

I do want to tell you about one of my personal motivators for taking this journey – next year I will turn 60. That’s right – the big SIX OH! Those of you who feel inspired just might like to mark that milestone with a gift of $60 – gifts at that level will be rewarded with unlimited and merciless mocking rights – as I limp along for six months after the walk. If that sounds like fun, then you really should make a donation!

You can give online at The3Day.org. Just follow the link below to visit my personal fund raising web page to donate:

3-DAY MOLLY

You can also call 800-996-3DAY to donate over the phone, or print a form to give a gift through the mail.

Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 69 seconds. That’s why I’m walking so far – to do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, and please pass this letter along to any friends who you think would also like to support this cause.

With love and gratitude,

Molly

P.S. Please consider asking your employer, or anyone else you have embarrassing photos of, if they will double your donation through a matching gift program. All my friends, and every last one of my relatives are good looking!