Fi(gh)t for the Cure

A year ago this month my oldest sister Joy was diagnosed with breast cancer, much to the shock of our family.

Since that time she has underwent surgery, numerous trips to the doctor, taking meds, having to shave her head, time off from work, and lastly chemotherapy.

She has one more round of chemo soon and she will be "done early" according to the doctors before facing reconstructive surgery.

But she will continue her fight like many other survivors before her.

The last two rounds of chemo are particularly hard, experts say.

Right before Thanksgiving my mom emailed me and told me Joy had started chemo and sounded a lot more calm than last time. Joy was a little nervous, Mom said, about getting through the holidays with crowds as her immune system would be low.

"We must keep her positive," Mom wrote.

For ten years Wacoal has supported Susan G. Komen for the Cure(R) in the fight against breast cancer, according to Glamour Magazine.

You can help knock out the disease at a Fi(gh)t for the Cure event. Women will receive a complimentary fitting in a Wacoal or b.tempt'd bra from a Wacoal fit specialist. Wacoal will also donate an additional $2 for every Wacoal bra, shapewear piece, or b.tempt'd bra purchased at these events. Komen's gift to the buyer - a pink Wacoal Sport water bottle.

For the year 2009 Wacoal will make a minimum guaranteed donation of $250,000 toward the cause.

To find a Fi(gh)t for the Cure event, visit fitforthecure.com.

In unrelated cancer news, the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life® will take place in Fort Worth, Texas at Farrington Field April 3-4 marking the organization's 25th anniversary. The agency will again take contributions for luminarias in honor or in memory of an individual. Each luminaria costs $10.00.

"Everyone should have at least one person to honor or remember," said Sheila Harrison, Relay for Life Event Chair of Fort Worth.

This year for the first time there will be a national photographer capturing the event in pictures, which Harrison said is "a huge deal."

There are also a lot of team fundraisers coming up and participants are encouraged to go to relayforlife.org/fortworthtx and see the fundraisers listed on the main page as well as additional details on the team fundraiser tab on the left side of the page.

Those on a team are also reminded to get their empty quarter rolls from their team captain as each team is saving up quarters between now and the relay.

In other cancer, news, citizens are being urged to support legislation to help the research that will cure cancer.(Source: lls.org).

"Many of the most dramatic strides in cancer treatment have been made with blood cancer patients in a clinical trial setting," states a recent press release from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. "The threat of losing insurance coverage for standard care costs is the most significant barrier for patients who might otherwise enroll in a clinical trial and benefit from such participation."Fort Worth's Relay for Life has been chosen for the ACS National Photographer to document in film.http://www.komen.orghttp://www.cancer.orghttp://www.pancan.org