My grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in February of 2006. It was a shock to our entire family, and I am sure to my grandmother as well. Let me first say that I have always viewed my grandmother as the strongest woman I have ever met. She went through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. She is a breast cancer survivor and I have no idea how she does the things that she does.
Then, this past May, my aunt was also diagnosed with breast cancer. But it was already so large that it was too large to remove it, they first had to try and shrink it. They removed it in July of 2007 and she continued her recovery. She had a major setback in October of 2007. I was about to participate in the Philadelphia Breast Cancer 3-Day when I found out that she had had a stroke. The following day we were informed that the cancer had spread to her brain. My aunt is also an amazingly strong woman. I went on to participate in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk because I felt that it was important now, more than ever. Exactly two weeks after the closing ceremony of the Breast Cancer 3-Day, my aunt passed away.
What I am trying to deal with is, not only the feeling of loss, but the feeling of helplessness. While my family and millions of other people fight breast cancer, I just feel like a bystander who can do nothing about it. That is why I participated in the 2007 Breast Cancer 3-Day. A 3-Day, 60-mile walk that is dedicated to raising money and awareness for Breast Cancer. I feel that I can no longer just standby while this disease takes so many lives. So, after my aunt passed away, I registered for the 2008 Breast Cancer 3-Day.
I have a couple of questions for anyone who can offer help. Is there any way to get rid of this feeling of helplessness? This feeling that so many loved ones are battling this disease and I am just helpless standing by. Also, I am getting fundraising ideas together so that I can participate in the 2008 walk. Does anyone have any type of fundraising ideas?
Thanks for the reading this,
Valerie
