October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast cancer awareness month. The call for content relating to the Breast Cancer Awareness Month had rather strange wording: Write an article about my plans to honor breast cancer survivors. My first thought was "Honor survivors? Why are we honoring survivors?" Nobody gets to choose if they are going to be a breast cancer survivor or victim. I know it is a terrible disease and can be deadly but do we honor someone for surviving? My philosophy has always been to honor the memory of someone who has passed from this terrible disease. The premise of this requested topic was not a little upsetting to me. My mother passed away from breast cancer 10 years ago. I have always given money for the walks and candle light vigils in her memory. I think this call wasn't worded correctly after researching the National Breast Center Awareness Center.[i] The Komen "Race for the Cure Series" raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. This is the true emphasis of the battle against Breast Cancer: Honor the victims, celebrate the survivors, and find a cure for Breast Cancer.

Our town holds a Susan G. Komen "Race for the Cure" event every year at the local high school. I have never been able to participate in the actual walk, but have been able to provide water and babysitting service for the ones who did walk. Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana has held candle light vigils to raise money for the cure. In October I wear Pink ribbons, purchased from Avon, in support of the "Race for the Cure". My daughter, a Senior at Purdue University, has some of the cutest shirts that are sold on campus by the Purdue Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha (ZTA) sorority with proceeds going to support the cause. One of my favorite boldly proclaims "Are you Man enough to wear Pink?" The college guys wear those around campus, and are very effective in getting the message across. Another shirt, which I got last year for my daughter, daughter-in-laws, granddaughter and myself, said "I Love Boobs" on the front. The back of the shirt states "Large or Small, We Save Them All". All of us are anxiously waiting to see what slogans the 2009 version of the official shirt will sport.

[i] http://www.nbcam.org/