Milano Moment for the Cure

Tuesday, October 26, 2010
To me, October used to mean Halloween, pumpkins, falling leaves, apples, and pumpkin pie. That's no longer the case. These days, October means breast cancer awareness. A month of pink ribbons, pink clothes, donations, mammograms, walks and runs in honor of those who have fought this horrible disease. I am in awe of the survivors and warriors.

In an effort to increase awareness of breast cancer, Pepperidge Farm has teamed up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. By sharing our strength, we can work together to find a cure. For every story shared via a blog, Facebook, and or Twitter, Pepperidge Farm will donate $.50 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999. Although her cancer was detected during the early stages, she had an uphill battle in front of her. She endured weeks of radiation therapy. The therapy drained her mentally and physically. She was always tired. Conquering breast cancer is just as much a mental fight as a physical one. You've got to be ready and willing to win.

My mother never complained of her lack of stamina, strength, or energy.

Now, 11 years later, there is still one thing that my mother told me about her fight that I cannot forget. No, it wasn't how sick the radiation made her. It wasn't how tired she was. It wasn't how she felt sorry for herself. It was how heartbroken she was to see children in the waiting room when she went for her radiation treatments. Children with cancer. Babies with cancer. For my mother, it was absolutely, positively the worst part of enduring cancer.

My mother's words and those visions of cancer-stricken children have resonated with me. They have become my Milano Moment, the moment I knew that I would be diligent about my monthly self-exams and my annual mammograms. I will help to bring attention to the cause. I will wear my pink ribbons, pink sweaters, and pink socks. And I will do it all year long, not only in October.

Disclosure: This post was written as part of a campaign for the One2One Network in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer prevention, early detection and education.

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