Could one person make a difference?

Could one person really make a difference?

In history, we have come to know many heros of the day who stood up for whatever cause they believed in. These special individuals fought through many battles of opposers who wanted the person and their cause to fail. And becaue of this opposition the average citizen can stamp their name in time forever to be known as a historical figure-head.

With five days left in October, I wanted to commemorate a pioneer organization whose efforts have raised, thus far, 1.9 billion dollars invested to research in finding a cure for breast cancer. Through their efforts, breast cancer survival rate after diagnosis in the first five-year window, increased from 74 percent to 98 percent.

Though I may not know who Susan G. Komen was personally, I do know in her courageous fight to overcome this disease, the world’s largest grassroots network in educating and fighting to save lives was birthed.

 

 

Most people have seen across the world the pink ribbons symbolizing Breast Cancer Awareness, and majority of others have participated in many of Susan G Komen for the Cure events. But, who’s behind this successful fundraising NPO, well, a compassionate and committed lady by the name of Nancy G. Brinker – Susan’s sister – who made a promise “that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.”

Hard Facts:

• Ten million women around the world could die from breast cancer in the next 25 years.
• already claims twice as many lives as AIDS worldwide.
• at least seven million people die of canceer each year and close to 11 million new cases are diagnosed.
       – more than AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria combined

So, with one of the toughest tasks at hand, I commend Nancy Brinker’s undaunting efforts to fulfill her dying sister’s dream to help the sick women in the hospital.

And, I’ll ask again, “Could one person make a difference?”

*Dedicated to My Titi (Aunt)/Godmother – Arlene Alicea. I love you with all my heart and I pray your strength and determination keeps this disease away*

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