TIMELINE FEBRUARY 4, 2010 8:32 P.M.
Imagine, just 7 days ago.
Here we are - everybody is signing up for the SGK 3-day. Message boards are coming out of the winter hibernation. Chatter is starting to appear. Excitement is starting to build. Talk of new teams and new people joining the 3 day family. That was 7 days ago.
What happened?
The family has all of a sudden became divided. Currently SGk is currently funding over 500 grants totalling almost $270,000,000.00(komen.org). Their was a controversy with the Planned Parenthood grant which last year was nearly $700,000(USA Today). Planned Parenhood had a profit of over $20,000,000.00(20 million.) If Komen stopped the grant, would Planned Parenthood folded up shop and said no more assistance in women needing screenings or medical assistance with breast health? If I understand things, the grant money must be used for breast health related expenses only. For that reason I am not opposed to the grant, but in contrast in 2009, our local hospital received a grant from Komen for over 59,000.00 That is about 1/8 of the PP grant. That is one small local hospital. Komen is worlwide and to say you are through with Komen is unreal!
Komen reversed its decision, but the bitter hatred is still there. We have become divided. Because of one decision, many of you want to cut ties with the SGK, cut ties with your 3-day family, find other organizations to donate, you know the rest.
Why did you become involved in the 3-day or Susan G. Komen for that matter. One important fact hasn't changed.
1 IN 8 WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER IN THEIR LIFETIME!
So you want to quit the fight. I have raised my shoe at closing for 3 years, going on 4. I made a promise that I would do what I could to end breast cancer forever. How many lives were and are changed by the Komen foundation. How many lives were saved. I am asking before you throw in the towel, remember the unity as like in D.C last year, 2500 people strong, together, hand in hand, fighting to do what we can to end breast cancer forever. Because you don't agree with one item. look at the big picture. We as a 3-day family need you. Don't let one decision break up the unity we all have together.
This is my 4th 3-day. I walk with the love of my life who was diagnosed with DCIS in 2007. This will be her 5th walk.I have met awesome people. People and events that I will remember the rest of my life.
Remember- WE WALK BECAUSE THE JOURNEY DEMANDS IT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY
EVERYONE DESERVES A LIFETIME
See you all in Cleveland,
Michael David Cleveland 2009,2010,2012
WAHINGTON D.C. 2011
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
ITS A NEW YEAR, BUT THE SAME FIGHT!
Its March 1, 2011. My wife and I will be walking at the D.c. 3 day.
Although we started fundraising last year, we had our first fundraiser this year (a casino bus trip). I guess it was time to get recharged. Living by Lake Erie, the winter talk is usually just about the weather. I think we lose focus about the fight! We sit around and watch it snow, thinking when will it end. Back in our minds, we think about the 3-day, but its off in the future. What about the snow? When will spring get here?
Ok. It's March 1. Spring is coming. I am guilty. Over the winter I talked about the 3-day, the awesome experience, the fun of fundraising - hearing those great survivor stories,etc. Now its time to get focused. Now is the time to get off the couch and start reliving what the 3-day is all about.
I recently was talking to a great survivor who was just starting her chemo. My heart just sank, thinking about what she will be enduring.
Did you ever think about 1 in 8? Did you ever think about when standing in line at a check out counter and count the women -1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8!
Out of that small group 1 will experience breast cancer at some point in their lifetime! Those odds stink.
Its time to walk the walk and not just do the talk. The 3-day is an outstanding event that will change your life forever, and will possibly change someone you meet too!
Fundraising is a great way to get awareness up. Getting the word out that early detection increases your chances of survival. It is also very motivating talking to people about their survivor story or the ones that lost the battle.
Breast cancer- you have picked a fight with a lot of great people and we will fight you until you do not destroy our lives anymore.
Thank you,
Michael David
Cleveland 09',10'
Washington D.C. 11'
Although we started fundraising last year, we had our first fundraiser this year (a casino bus trip). I guess it was time to get recharged. Living by Lake Erie, the winter talk is usually just about the weather. I think we lose focus about the fight! We sit around and watch it snow, thinking when will it end. Back in our minds, we think about the 3-day, but its off in the future. What about the snow? When will spring get here?
Ok. It's March 1. Spring is coming. I am guilty. Over the winter I talked about the 3-day, the awesome experience, the fun of fundraising - hearing those great survivor stories,etc. Now its time to get focused. Now is the time to get off the couch and start reliving what the 3-day is all about.
I recently was talking to a great survivor who was just starting her chemo. My heart just sank, thinking about what she will be enduring.
Did you ever think about 1 in 8? Did you ever think about when standing in line at a check out counter and count the women -1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8!
Out of that small group 1 will experience breast cancer at some point in their lifetime! Those odds stink.
Its time to walk the walk and not just do the talk. The 3-day is an outstanding event that will change your life forever, and will possibly change someone you meet too!
Fundraising is a great way to get awareness up. Getting the word out that early detection increases your chances of survival. It is also very motivating talking to people about their survivor story or the ones that lost the battle.
Breast cancer- you have picked a fight with a lot of great people and we will fight you until you do not destroy our lives anymore.
Thank you,
Michael David
Cleveland 09',10'
Washington D.C. 11'
Saturday, April 24, 2010
THE KICKOFF
Well, its April 23, 2010. My wife's birthday is 2 days away. Our training has been going on - 5 miles here and there, you know the beat. I walked and trained last year, but I do not think you can ever train enough. I feel like I am in better shape this year than a year ago, but walk, walk, walk,and then we will walk some more.
Sunday is our kickoff for selling breast cancer items in front of department stores (with permission of course). 90% chance of rain. Not a good way to start. At least no snow!!! Our casino bus trip is planned - hopefully that will be a great success.
My last blog was called "WHY WE WALK". What we are about to do is go to that realization again. Remember 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer some time in their life. My wife is fine now, but remember 1 in 8. Talk to people. How many people do you know that have been touched by this horrid disease. Selling items to raise money for the
3-day only inspires me to do more.
Last year on Sunday during the walk, a woman in her mid 30's aproached us and thanked us for walking. We stopped to talk to her for a moment. She said her friend walked in it last year(2008). She was 38 years old. She then said her funeral was the day before. I went silent.
I think the Susan g. Komen 3-day walk is like a big shoulder. You have 1000+ people there to support not only the ones that are walking, but most importantly the ones that can't. I realy believe that it does lift up the spirits of breast cancer patients to know that someone does care.
Yes, I am a man, and there is not a lot of men who walk, but I am proud to wear a shirt that says "REAL MEN WEAR PINK"!! Not only do I want to support my wife, I want to help. By me walking 60 miles, or being out in the rain selling items to raise money for the walk,if I can influence 1 woman to get a mammogram that would not have scheduled one, then it was a great day. One thing I learned with breast cancer, EARLY DETECTION INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL, so don't take that chance.
Let's make breast cancer a thing of the past.
Thanks,
Michael
Sunday is our kickoff for selling breast cancer items in front of department stores (with permission of course). 90% chance of rain. Not a good way to start. At least no snow!!! Our casino bus trip is planned - hopefully that will be a great success.
My last blog was called "WHY WE WALK". What we are about to do is go to that realization again. Remember 1 in 8 women will get breast cancer some time in their life. My wife is fine now, but remember 1 in 8. Talk to people. How many people do you know that have been touched by this horrid disease. Selling items to raise money for the
3-day only inspires me to do more.
Last year on Sunday during the walk, a woman in her mid 30's aproached us and thanked us for walking. We stopped to talk to her for a moment. She said her friend walked in it last year(2008). She was 38 years old. She then said her funeral was the day before. I went silent.
I think the Susan g. Komen 3-day walk is like a big shoulder. You have 1000+ people there to support not only the ones that are walking, but most importantly the ones that can't. I realy believe that it does lift up the spirits of breast cancer patients to know that someone does care.
Yes, I am a man, and there is not a lot of men who walk, but I am proud to wear a shirt that says "REAL MEN WEAR PINK"!! Not only do I want to support my wife, I want to help. By me walking 60 miles, or being out in the rain selling items to raise money for the walk,if I can influence 1 woman to get a mammogram that would not have scheduled one, then it was a great day. One thing I learned with breast cancer, EARLY DETECTION INCREASES YOUR CHANCES OF SURVIVAL, so don't take that chance.
Let's make breast cancer a thing of the past.
Thanks,
Michael
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