Monday will be October 1st. Everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. It is just a known fact in this country. Women are encouraged to go to their doctors to get mammograms and other screenings. People wear pink ribbons and buy yogurt with pink lids to raise money for this particular cancer. I am thrilled and thankful that our society does these things. Because of the screenings and the funds raised annually the survival rate for breast cancer continues to rise.
Did you also know that November is Lung Cancer Awareness month? Don't feel bad if you didn't know that... not many people do. During the month of November there are no special "screenings" to have performed. There are no mammogram-like tests to have done. There are no colored ribbons or colored yogurt lids to purchase. These things do not exist...yet.
While attending the Ellen show on Monday she spoke of her mother's battle with breast cancer 30 years ago. She talked about how secret it was. Nobody talked about it. Nobody addressed the issue. I am happy that women with breast cancer do not have to face these issues any longer. Unfortunately, today people who develop lung cancer are still in the same sort of situation that breast cancer patients were 30 years ago. Rather than be angry that this particular form of cancer is lagging behind in research due to funding and awareness I am doing something about it. I am joining forces with the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation.
Between now and November I am asking everyone who reads this blog to think about this...
450 people die of lung cancer every DAY in this country. That is 164,250 a YEAR. If we wait 30 more years to take a stand and fight for screening and appropriate funding for this disease we will have lost just under 5 million people in this country alone!
On November 8, 2007 my family and I will be traveling to San Francisco where I will be donating a check to the Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation. The size of the check depends on you. I am challenging all blog readers to do two things. First, I ask that you make a donation of any size and second I ask that you send this information on to everyone you know. Sometimes the people that you least expect to make a donation will be the ones that donate the most.
In the near future when lung cancer awareness is a priority in this country you will be able to hold your head high and know that you were a part of making it happen.
Please make checks payable to:
Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation
or click on the link below to donate online with a credit card
https://www.thelungcancerfoundation.org/donate
Send checks to:
Angie Schmitt
18607 Ballantrae Dr.
Arlington, WA 98223
Thank You!
Angie
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2 comments:
Well put, Angie! And since this blog is read by nearly 265 people each day, the challenge is on! It's time to step up and donate!
Let's make a difference! Thanks!
Well said. I received an email from Bonnie's Foundation that said they just received their first $100 donation from the link listed above. How great is that?
They are going to track of how much money "Doreen's Friends" bring in. I love that they are able to keep track. I'll have them send us a number once a week between now and the event so we can post it.
Hey you... thanks for being the first to step up and put your money where your mouth is. You know who you are (and so do I). I owe you a hug the next time I see you. :)
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