Last year I came face to face with a form of cancer that struck a close family member. It was not breast cancer, it was lung cancer. For the first time in my life, I was hit with the awful reality that I could potentially lose this person, the single most important person in my life. I was faced with the fact that it would spread like fire, even after it was removed, which it was. Now this family member and I live in fear that it could come back, and it’s not a pleasant way to live. We will live like this for the next five years until the doctor says the reality is as slim as it can possibly be.
I’ve always had an interest in women’s issues and I’ve walked for breast cancer many times in my life, but this year will have new meaning. Cancer is cancer. It’s monstrous, it’s devastating, and we all must fight to save the ones we love. The reality is that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and it’s just too many.
In July 2013, Walk the Walk will bring The MoonWalk marathon from the United Kingdom to America for the first time to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer causes. At 10 p.m., on July 20, 2013, thousands of women and men will Power Walk through the city wearing brightly decorated bras to inspire and encourage others to get fit, have fun, and raise money for breast cancer charities in New York. Presented by Empire BlueCross BlueShield, the overnight marathon through New York City will have an estimated 8,000 participants. The MoonWalk will begin with a participant opening ceremony celebration at Randall’s Island. Walkers will then depart on an up to 26.2 mile route, which will weave its way through Manhattan past the city’s most iconic landmarks, lit up brightly at night. Additionally, there will be a Half Marathon option to ensure that everyone can participate no matter their fitness levels or abilities.
The MoonWalk hopes to raise two million dollars in one night, most of which most of which will be granted to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, to help support their Breast Examination Center in Harlem (BECH), one of the first free screening facilities for breast cancer in the country where 80% of the patients are uninsured but guaranteed support and guidance.
Since its inception sixteen years ago in London, Walk the Walk, a grant making charity, has engaged over 300,000 participants and has raised over $126 million dollars to support breast cancer research and those affected by cancer now. Walk the Walk has provided grants to charities such as Breast Cancer Campaign, Penny Brohn Cancer Care, The Breast Cancer Institute, and Maggie’s Centres, and has had a significant impact on the work that they do. Walk the Walk is also a proud supporter of Breakthrough Breast Cancer and has helped fund The Generation Study – the largest study of its type that aims to track the health of over 100,000 women over a period of 40 years. Prince Charles has been the Patron of this well respected charity since 2004. Over the years many notables have given their support from Paul and Stella McCartney, Sir Richard Branson, to Pierce Brosnan, and designers Swarovski Crystal who created three magnificent bras in celebration of this year’s 15th anniversary of The MoonWalk London.
How about you? Up to wearing your bra this June to raise money for breast cancer research? Let’s do it! This year participants are encouraged to raise at least $150.00 each. For additional information, please visit www.Facebook.com/WalktheWalkWorldwide and follow them on Twitter at @WalktheWalk.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but I truly believe in the cause.
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