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Why "It's Worth Fighting For"

Written by Wendy Ward and presented at the Run/Walk Kick-off, July 14, 2004

The theme for the 2004 American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk and Vigil is "It's Worth Fighting For".

The funds you help raise for this event are used by the American Cancer Society in many ways.

Research is funded, studying risk factors and behaviors to better understand the causes of cancers and to target cures.

Educational programs like Tell-A-Friend are made available, where volunteers reach out to the women in their lives to spread the message to receive regular mammograms. I Can Cope is an educational program, available free of charge, providing information about cancer diagnosis and treatment and then helping patients cope with the physical and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis.

For these reasons, "It's Worth Fighting For".

During our Team Captain Kick-off Celebration, we shared approximately 60 minutes of our lives. Four red candles were passed out at the kick-off celebration. Those four candles are a tribute to the four people who were lost to breast cancer during the hour we spent together. One every 14 minutes. Four more families that are not complete. Four more families that would do anything to see their mother , their sister, their friend.

That's why "It's Worth Fighting For".

Twenty pink candles were distributed at the kick-off celebration. These twenty pink candles signify the twenty people who were diagnosed with breast cancer during the time we were together. One every three minutes. Twenty more people and their families who had to hear the news "you have cancer". Twenty more people and their families whose lives were chaged forever.

That's why "It's Worth Fighting For".

Finally, white candles were distributed. The white candles represent our determination, our hope for a cure, our efforts for prevention, and for a future without breast cancer.

That's why "It's Worth Fighting For"!

Each of you has your own personal reasons for your passion in this fight against breast cancer.
Maybe you're doing it for your mother
Your daughter
Your sister
Your friend
Yourself

Or for someone you miss more than words can say.

All of your efforts in fundraising, in recruiting team members, in collecting donations, and in spreading awareness are not only for those people you hold close in your hearts, but also for the 3 million women living with breast cancer right now and for the millions more who may never realize what you've done for them.

That's why "It's Worth Fighting For".

She Did it for All Women

Written by Mike Felhofer and presented at the Run/Walk Kick-off, 2005

In 1992 two women my late wife Nancy and Mary Jo Scanlan recognized a need in our community. The need was to make all women aware of the importance of early detection of Breast Cancer through regular monthly breast self-exams and having mammograms done. It was because of the vision and commitment of these two women that the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run an event unique to Green Bay was started.

Nancy felt strongly about the need to build awareness about breast cancer and early detection. As a child, she witnessed her own mother's denial of the breast cancer that eventually metastasized in to bone cancer and lead to a painful death.

As a 26-year-old newlywed, Nancy discovered that she too had breast cancer. Nancy discovered her breast cancer through a self-exam. Unlike her mother, Nancy aggressively fought her cancer and won that battle.

She won that battle because, through programs of the American Cancer Society, she was aware of the importance of regular breast self-exams and preformed those self-exams. She won that battle because she detected her cancer at an early stage. She won that battle because of the continuing advancements in medicine. She won that battle because she fought aggressively and had the support of family and friends.

As we gather to kick-off the 13th Annual BCA Walk/Run, let's take time to recognize what we have accomplished through this event. Because of this event, over $1 million has been raised to fund cancer research and the important programs of the ACS. Because of this event, our community has come together to support those who battle cancer. Because of this event, an untold number of women are alive who might not have been otherwise because of their awareness of the importance of early detection through breast self-exams and mammograms.

Sadly, Nancy is no longer with us. But I know that she is proud of all that this event has accomplished. She is proud of the many volunteers, team captains, and participants who continue to make this event a success each year.

Despite all that has been accomplished through this event, however, the need in our community still exists. Still today, too many women do not do their monthly breast self-exams. Too many women put off having mammograms. Too many women whose deaths may have been avoided die because of this terrible disease. I know that if Nancy were still here today, she would be working as hard as ever through this important event to continue to build awareness of breast cancer in our community, and to raise the funds necessary to fight the battle and win the war.

Pink Badge of Courage by Bill Lindenmuth She wears a pink ribbon for her loved ones She braves the toughest of fights Wearing it as a badge of courage While the battle goes on day and night An unwanted visitor seeking a host A relentless enemy to be She fights through it all With her spirit on call With the strength that will help set her free In the midst of her noble fight But the best parts remain After dealing with the pain Strong without fear or fright With famiy and friends to support her And the will to fight till it ends Breathing a sigh of relief in remission In their prayers she knows she can depend With life too precious to surrender And her will to live so much more She celebrates life's every moment Holding close the people she adores Realizing the war is never over She lives life one day at a time Making every moment count as she straddles that narrow lifeline As her heart and head lead with pride With courage always in fashion With all the strength she can muster inside Given idle time to think But she draws strength and courage From that beautiful ribon of pink Finding guidance from those who do love her Leaving all unpleasant thought far behind Realizing dark memories somehow remain in her mind Casting aside these dark demons Living life with a spirit so bright Embracing all of her blessings Standing in her own light Her love touches all that surround her Living life in its beauty so grand Enjoying live's precious moments Knowing those who love her all understand Her pink badge serves as a reminder Of the battles she has won and lost But she faces each day with a heartfelt smile Looking back at the bridges she has crossed		Check-Up by Jeany 4/27/01 "I've been trying to reach you by phone." Words so innocent, but my heart turned to stone. "We need another picture ... we can do it yet today." I didn't want to 'pose' but there was no other way. The machine is quite imposing, but I hugged it just the same. Watching the compression, I knew this was not a game. From top-to-bottom, then side-to-side, it squeezed me so. Then I got dressed ... she said I could go! The nurses were done, and the doctor began, "Lie back, we need to check, relax if you can ..." Soon it will be over, for another year? He wanted to talk, but I didn't want to hear. Pap, biopsy, fibroids, hysterectomy Breast exam, mammograms, biopsy ... maybe a mastectomy? On Monday they'll invade my left breast I wonder if I can pass this triple test. I've withdrawn inside to contemplate my body parts Examining my thoughts, my Spirit, my Heart. I am my body, and my body is ME ... Accepting changes helps me grow and sets my Spirit free.

	Why "It's Worth Fighting For" Written by Wendy Ward and presented at the Run/Walk Kick-off, July 14, 2004 The theme for the 2004 American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk and Vigil is "It's Worth Fighting For". The funds you help raise for this event are used by the American Cancer Society in many ways. Research is funded, studying risk factors and behaviors to better understand the causes of cancers and to target cures. Educational programs like Tell-A-Friend are made available, where volunteers reach out to the women in their lives to spread the message to receive regular mammograms. I Can Cope is an educational program, available free of charge, providing information about cancer diagnosis and treatment and then helping patients cope with the physical and emotional challenges of a cancer diagnosis. For these reasons, "It's Worth Fighting For". During our Team Captain Kick-off Celebration, we shared approximately 60 minutes of our lives. Four red candles were passed out at the kick-off celebration. Those four candles are a tribute to the four people who were lost to breast cancer during the hour we spent together. One every 14 minutes. Four more families that are not complete. Four more families that would do anything to see their mother , their sister, their friend. That's why "It's Worth Fighting For". Twenty pink candles were distributed at the kick-off celebration. These twenty pink candles signify the twenty people who were diagnosed with breast cancer during the time we were together. One every three minutes. Twenty more people and their families who had to hear the news "you have cancer". Twenty more people and their families whose lives were chaged forever. That's why "It's Worth Fighting For". Finally, white candles were distributed. The white candles represent our determination, our hope for a cure, our efforts for prevention, and for a future without breast cancer. That's why "It's Worth Fighting For"! Each of you has your own personal reasons for your passion in this fight against breast cancer. Maybe you're doing it for your mother Your daughter Your sister Your friend Yourself Or for someone you miss more than words can say. All of your efforts in fundraising, in recruiting team members, in collecting donations, and in spreading awareness are not only for those people you hold close in your hearts, but also for the 3 million women living with breast cancer right now and for the millions more who may never realize what you've done for them. That's why "It's Worth Fighting For". She Did it for All Women Written by Mike Felhofer and presented at the Run/Walk Kick-off, 2005 In 1992 two women my late wife Nancy and Mary Jo Scanlan recognized a need in our community. The need was to make all women aware of the importance of early detection of Breast Cancer through regular monthly breast self-exams and having mammograms done. It was because of the vision and commitment of these two women that the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk/Run an event unique to Green Bay was started. Nancy felt strongly about the need to build awareness about breast cancer and early detection. As a child, she witnessed her own mother's denial of the breast cancer that eventually metastasized in to bone cancer and lead to a painful death. As a 26-year-old newlywed, Nancy discovered that she too had breast cancer. Nancy discovered her breast cancer through a self-exam. Unlike her mother, Nancy aggressively fought her cancer and won that battle. She won that battle because, through programs of the American Cancer Society, she was aware of the importance of regular breast self-exams and preformed those self-exams. She won that battle because she detected her cancer at an early stage. She won that battle because of the continuing advancements in medicine. She won that battle because she fought aggressively and had the support of family and friends. As we gather to kick-off the 13th Annual BCA Walk/Run, let's take time to recognize what we have accomplished through this event. Because of this event, over $1 million has been raised to fund cancer research and the important programs of the ACS. Because of this event, our community has come together to support those who battle cancer. Because of this event, an untold number of women are alive who might not have been otherwise because of their awareness of the importance of early detection through breast self-exams and mammograms. Sadly, Nancy is no longer with us. But I know that she is proud of all that this event has accomplished. She is proud of the many volunteers, team captains, and participants who continue to make this event a success each year. Despite all that has been accomplished through this event, however, the need in our community still exists. Still today, too many women do not do their monthly breast self-exams. Too many women put off having mammograms. Too many women whose deaths may have been avoided die because of this terrible disease. I know that if Nancy were still here today, she would be working as hard as ever through this important event to continue to build awareness of breast cancer in our community, and to raise the funds necessary to fight the battle and win the war.
Now, I also do it for her Written by Carol Gibson and presented at the Run/Walk Kick-off, 2005 Hi, my name is Carol Gibson, and I have been active in the BCA Run/Walk for 11 years, both as a walker and a member of the Planning Committee. My story is not nearly as inspiring as those I have heard in the years I've been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society. In March of 1994, when I was 31, I went in for my yearly exam was shocked and frightened when my doctor told me she found a lump the size of a pea in my left breast. Because I was young and healthy and had no history of breast cancer in my family, she told me that if I felt comfortable, I could just wait, watch it, and come back if I noticed any changes. I'm too much of a worrier to wait and watch, so I immediately asked her refer me to a surgeon. A week later, I had a biopsy, and while I was in recovery, the surgeon came in and told me that they had already tested the lump. It was benign, and I was going to be fine. Later that spring, I received an invitation to attend the Kick-off for the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Awareness Run/Walk. One of the speakers at the Kick-Off was Robin Schumacher. Robin was a young women, just a year or so older than me. She told the story of how she was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I found that her story was almost exactly the same as mine, with one major differenceRobin's lump was malignant; she had cancer. Robin shared her feelings about being diagnosed at such a young age, and how difficult it had been to care for her 1-year-old son while going through treatments. I cried all the way home in the car that night. I was thankful that I was healthy, but at the same time, I felt guilty. It was hard to understand why God had chosen Robin and not me. I felt like there was a reason that I had received that Kick-off invitation. That year, I formed a company team,which had 35 members and raised over $2,000—a lot of money for teams at that time! After the event, I indicated on my Team Captain survey that I was interested in becoming more involved in the event. The following spring, I received a call asking me to join the planning committee. When I first became involved in the event, I did it for me—so I could do something to give back in appreciation for my good fortune. Shortly after my first committee meeting, one of my coworkers died of breast cancer. Mary Pat was only 48. At her funeral, it hit home that her son and daughter, who were teenagers at the time, would not have their mom around for many of the important milestones in their lives. Mary Pat was the first person I really knew who had breast cancer, but she would certainly not be the last. Within a year, two other friends were diagnosed with cancer. I lost Maria, one of my dearest friends, in 1997 at 33 years old. Since then, my aunt and many friends, mostly young women, have been diagnosed. And fortunately, almost all of them are survivors. So over the years, I have continued to do it in memory and in honor of them—for Mary Pat, Maria, Jane, Nancy, Jean, Kathy, aunt Millie, Mary, Karen, Marcia, Cindy, Lisa, and Wendy. Now I also do it for her. This is my daughter, Chloe, who is 7. She is strong, and happy, and full of life. My hope is that some day, when Chloe is my age, she won't need to do it for anyone, because we'll have found a cure.

Pink Badge of Courage

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Why "It's Worth Fighting For"

She Did it for All Women

Written by Mike Felhofer and presented at the Run/Walk Kick-off, 2005

Now, I also do it for her