Need help in your support, Lets fight Breast Cancer

FightBC
FightBC Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Until last year, I was not familiar with the Breast Cancer 3-day. Its a 60 mile walk over a three day period to raise awareness and research funds for breast cancer. As I prepare for this challenge, walking mile after mile, I think of those who have traveled the path before me, those who are traveling the path with me, and those who are yet to follow. There are time when I don't feel like training or my feet hurt or I'm am just tired. Then I think of all the people that I care about who have been touched by breast cancer. I walk for them. I walk for our friends, wives, grandmother, mothers, aunts cousins, and sisters. And I walk for our beautiful daughters.

I know you understand why this is so important to me and understand why I am asking for your support. Since the event does not take place until August 12, I feel like there is plenty of time to meet my minimum goal of $2000.00 however, I want to reach this goal early and hope to surpass it. The walking is easy for me, because my heart with you all that are in need. I am here to help. Asking for dollars is not easy, but it worth helping out women who need it. We must stick together to fight Breast Cancer. But if we are going to find answers to incredibly difficult problems like Breast Cancer, I know I have to ask.

To help support me in fighting Breast Cancer please go to www.the3day.org and click on donate and search for my name Marcela Aranda from Rockville, MD ...to view my webpage.

If you have any questions or want to hear more about what I am doing or need help in some way, I love talking about the event and with you. Thank you for all your support.

Marcela Aranda
Age 23 From Rockville, Maryland

Comments

  • marbleslab
    marbleslab Member Posts: 24
    #2
    As mentioned several times before, some of us do not believe the purpose of this site is to raise funds for cancer research. This is a place for those newly diagnosed with breast cancer and those in the midst of it and those of us who have been through it but still harbor that fear of it recurring to seek wisdom, support and love from each other.
    Marla
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #3
    I'm sorry, but I'm extremely put out by these solicitations on this site for "donations" to fight breast cancer.
    This is the 3rd or 4th one this month. Don't these people realize we have fought this darn disease in our own way, and for the most part have given more than our share of money, blood, sweat and tears (and I mean that literally). They should be ashamed to bother us with donations!
    In response to the solicitations of donations: if people want to make a difference it's not more money that's needed, but rather a demand from Congress that the monies are appropriated effectively.
    The NIH gets 25 Billion dollars a year for research from our tax dollars...but take a look at the clinical trials.
    Most of the studies include some form of chemotherapy.
    We need a lot more research to be done in monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, anti-angiogenic drugs and alternative medicine. There in lies the answer, NOT killing us with different combinations of chemotherapy. The trials that do focus on different approaches to treatment are so exclusive it takes a miracle to be accepted.

    So no, I for one will not donate money, buy stamps, candy, make-up, yogurt or any other product that exploits the "pink ribbon".
    I will however challenge you and anyone else interested in finding a cure to call your congressmen, send a letter, a fax, or postcard to let them know your stance on clinical research. Then, go out and vote accordingly, that is the way we will win the war against cancer!
    There is ample funding it just needs to be used more effectively. Instead of begging friends and family for money educate them on how it's being spent and ask them to make a difference not with their pocket book, but at the polls.
    Look into it, see what clinical trials you find, see how many include no chemotherapy and then look at the excluding criteria, meaning who can particpate and who can't; I think it may change your perspective on how to fight cancer.
    By the way anyone know how much of that 25 billion is spent on alternative therapy? Trials involving vitamins, herbs, accupuncture, massage and spirituality...1 percent. I will give them this, that's 1% more than what they spent 5 years ago.
    Now, help fight the battle against breast cancer!
    hummingbyrd
  • lindatn
    lindatn Member Posts: 229
    #4
    Well said hummingbyrd I and most of us agree with every word you said. AMEN Jose kick these post off asking for money we all have had and have enough problems without feeling quility for not giving money to these sports programs. Linda
  • DeeNY711
    DeeNY711 Member Posts: 476 Member
    #5
    I did a five mile AIDS Walk many years ago with the same kind of enthusiasm and caring that prompts you now. I always read everything I could on the more taxing AIDS RIDE where bicycles were used over a 3 day period to cover the ground between Boston and New York. Many physicians participated in that one. However, the major sponsor pulled out when it was revealed how few of the dollars actually went to AIDS research or AIDS care. Most of it went to "promotion" and those doing the "promotion," security, bookkeeping, banking fees, etc. Not a dime was actually raised by the 5 mile walk I participated in because despite all the thousands of dollars we all gathered from relatives, friends, and our own optomistic pockets, all of the rented two way radios were stolen from the unlocked van in which they were left unattended after the race, and the sponsors had to pay for the lost equipment.

    Point of personal privilege: I lost toenails from each big toe due to the effects of the 5 mile walk. It took over six years for chronic problems with the left large nail to resolve, but during chemotherapy's effects upon the nailbeds, I discovered that the problems had not really resolved. If you really want to help raise awareness or provide actual assistance, call your local branch of the American Cancer Society and ask how you can help. Do yourself a favor and spare your big toenails. I was lucky to be able to return to work within 48 hours after the five mile walk. Consider carefully whether or not you can afford to risk not being able to do so.

    At a time when I was still severely debilitated by chemotherapy and radiation, someone expressed a hope that by this October, we would be able to do a local "Breast Cancer Walk" together. I told her that in all honesty, I would rather be working that day. For some, it may be an opportunity to celebrate their triumph of returning to normal capabilities. To others, it may be done in honor of someone special. Perhaps many dollars to manage to trickle down to research this way. Such events doubtlessly raise awareness and frequently provide education. If you participate, mazel tov. If not, none of us will be disappointed. Use your concern and resources where they will do the most actual good.
    Thank you for thinking of us.
    Love,
    Denise

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