Tour De Pink

Hi everyone,

I'm not sure if this is politically correct, but this cause means so much to me. Especially since I am young and had Breast Cancer. I am copying a note I left for my family, friends, etc.. Ever since I was diagnosed two years ago, I have found support by leaving e-mails. I hope that many of you have heard of the YSC. 79% will be going to the YSC's cause and 21% to support our team. The website does have more information. If anything, I'm looking for the spirtual support. Thanks for listening and reading .

Well, another 3 months have passed and the news is great. I'm doing well and the blood work looks good. On Saturday I'll be going for a routine MRI, just so I can feel good and not have any "what if" feelings. The best news of all is that I started to get (how do I put this in an e-mail without blushing?) "that time of month". I was so scared for a while that I would not be able to have children and then.....voila. I'm probably the only woman in history so happy to get her "friend". Since I'm not five years out and my cancer was estrogen positive I'm now getting a shot of Zoladex every three months. This is to cease my periods, so my body does not produce too much estrogen. I'm not fond of these shots, since they go right in my belly. But hey, I'm gonna do what I gotta do.

There has been much happening in my life lately. I can't remember if I told everyone but I'm officially a "Reach to Recovery" volunteer for the American Cancer Society. I serve as a support to women who have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. The main reason I'm doing this is because there are so many young women that are diagnosed and feel they have no one to talk to, no one that has gone through what they are going through. After all, that's kind of how I first felt when I tried the Reach to Recovery program. I was paired with someone twice my age, who was married and only had a lumpectomy with no chemo. Uuuuuuggggh. The good news is that through all my e-mails you all became my support and now I tell everyone about all of you and how great you all were and are to me.

Now for the event of my life (well, that's at least for so far in my life). I will be joining 6 other survivors and/or their loved ones for the inaugural "Tour de Pink". Now I know you are all wondering what the heck is the "Tour de Pink" is. No, it's not a walking tour to visit anything that's pink (houses, cars, etc.). The Tour de Pink is a four-day, 270-mile bicycle ride to benefit the Young Survival Coalition — the YSC. With more than 10,000 members in 30-plus countries, the YSC is the only international network of breast cancer survivors, medical professionals and supporters dedicated to the critical concerns unique to young women and breast cancer.

As a team, we will be capping off the YSC's 5th anniversary by departing on our bicycles Oct. 8th from a cancer center in Boston and arriving at a cancer center in NYC on October 11th. Oh yeah, I'm going to give Lance Armstrong a run for his money. Just wait to see me coasting the roads all while serving such a worthwhile cause. A cause that lent support to me personally.

Now is my time to ask for all of your help and support. I need to raise at least $2000 by October 1st. My personal goal is to raise $3000. In addition to raising this money, Gap Inc. will match me $ for $ for every $ I raise up to $2500. Wow, now that's what I call a lot of moola. And a lot that will go to something very dear and special to young breast cancer survivors and the YSC.

As a Thank you, I will be writing everyone's name that contributes on a pink ribbon sticker to put on my helmet. Just think, you will actually be on the ride with me, once again giving me support through a challenge. I, of course, will continually update all of you on my training, health, etc..

The YSC has set up various tools for you to help me meet my individual goal. Here are the ways you as a funder (and Noel supporter) can donate:

1. The easiest way for you to donate is to use the Tour de Pink Website www.youngsurvival.org/tourdepink . You can click on "Donate" and use the YSC's secure server to donate with a credit card. Make sure you type my name and "Tour de Pink" in the "In Honor Of"field on the donation page. You will automatically an e-mail thank you note. You can also send me a notification if you enter my e-mail address (Noelleita@Hotmail.com)

3. You can mail checks directly to the YSC by using the address below. Make sure you write "Tour de
Pink" and my name on the check, it must be payable to the *Young Survival Coalition*:

Michele Przypyszny
Executive Director
YSC
155 6th Avenue, 10th Floor
New York, NY 10013

Please include a note with a reference to the Tour de Pink and your name.

4. You can call the YSC to donate using a credit card. The number you should call is 212-206-6610 or 877-YSC-1011. Make sure you reference the Tour de Pink and give my name

My goal is to have all donations turned into the YSC by Oct. 6, 2004 with the rest of the members of my team, so that we can present the YSC with a check at the annual In Living Pink gala in Manhattan.

Thank you so much for everything you have all done for me. This cause means so much to me, because everyday a young woman is diagnosed and sometimes I think we are the forgotten ones in the fight against breast cancer. For instance, today at the hospital I was looking at a magazine, there was an advertisement for a breast cancer drug and all the women pictured were older women. I want the nation to know that there are a lot of us out there and that our medical, emotional, etc. needs are very different than older survivors. This is my way to show support and advocate an important cause.

Please also pass this message on to your friends and loved ones. The more support the better. Don't forget to check out the website and I look forward to hearing from you all very soon.

Warmly,
Noel

www.youngsurvival.org/tourdepink
ACTION * ADVOCACY * AWARENESS