Breast Cancer Awareness

You’ve probably noticed the symbolic pink ribbons on social media lately, a sure sign that Breast Cancer Awareness Month is here and getting attention. The more support and attention paid to breast cancer, the better. Statistics show that 1 in 8 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetimes. These are our mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. And men are not immune, although breast cancer is far rarer in males.

The statistics may seem dire, but advances in diagnosis and treatment give us hope. When breast cancer is caught early in its localized stages and treatment begins right away, the survival rate is 99%. This is why awareness is crucial for early detection, and it truly saves lives.

LOF would like to encourage all of our friends to remain vigilant about breast cancer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, and National Cancer Institute are among the great resources with helpful information on their websites. Both the Susan G. Komen Foundation and Avon Breast Cancer Crusade offer active fundraising opportunities around the country. I participated in a Komen walk a few years ago with a group of friends. It was thoroughly exhausting in record-setting July heat, but it was very bonding and fun. Our crew felt proud when we finished, and we managed to raise significant funds for breast cancer research along the way.

If you know someone who is currently fighting breast cancer, you can be supportive by finding ways to let your friend or loved one know that you’re thinking of them. Connecting with a group of neighbors or friends can allow you to provide coordinated support. Consider sending meals or helping out with chores through sites such as Lotsahelpinghands. If you’d like to send a gift, Rock the Treatment specializes in thoughtful gift boxes tailored specifically for recipients undergoing cancer treatment.

On a final note, my friend Stephanie Hosford wrote a book called Bald, Fat & Crazy: How I Beat Cancer While Pregnant with One Daughter and Adopting Another about her wild experience of battling breast cancer, while balancing her growing family’s needs, and winning. Stephanie says she wrote the book because: “When I was going through treatment, I was looking for stories with happy endings and there were not enough of them out there at the time. I needed happy stories to keep me going, so when I was finished with treatment, I put my story out there to inspire others.” Inspiring, indeed!

Stephanie, with her beautiful daughters and supportive husband.