When there is so much going on and you’re
happy with it, well happy with almost all of it, it is so difficult to single out anything. That is where I am at this time
in my life. Should I complain? I don’t think so; I’d give anything to be an identical situation over and over.
However, I feel the need
to focus on one thing today and share it with you. It is October, the month dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness. Breast Cancer
touches all of our lives, and honestly, we are the best line of defense at this moment. I must scream out
at the top of my voice: Get those mammograms and do the self-exams on a regular basis!
Saturday, October 20th, 2008 was the
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Miami. My friend, Andrea M, hosted a ‘sleep-in’ for the cure brunch for a group
of ladies on the same day. Grandmothers, mothers, and daughters gathered at Andrea’s home and offered
their allegiance to the worthy cause and their support to fellow women.
Andrea’s mother, Diane, inspired her to organize this event and request friends join and help
her reach a goal of $500.00 in a donation to the race. Diane has been diagnosed with advance breast
cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy in the greatest battle of her life. The good news is: the
new drug they have recently started with seems to be agreeing with her. Diane looked great on Saturday and said she was grateful
for the lack of side effects at the moment. Prayers of health coming your way, Diane.
Friends and family connected for support, some having had a scare of
their own, others knowing someone affected by breast cancer, but all in search for a cure. Great strides are being made each
day, but so much more is needed. United, we are a force to be reckoned with. So stand by your sisters and show your support.
Munching on delectable scones and mouth watering
quiches, I bonded with women- some old friends, some I was meeting for the first time. We drank, ate, and chatted about everything
and anything. Stories about our childhoods and careers filled the air, plans and desires for the future were shared, and
Dani, a new friend and representative from Hanes, fit us all for the proper bra. Can you imagine out of a dozen women,
only one wore the correct size and style? Needless to say, the next day at church we were all wearing our new bras, and our
much perkier boobs were proudly displayed.
Announcing that her initial goal was more than doubled, Andrea glowed with the accomplishment. There were three generations
of women in the room and the energy was so positive, engulfing my spirit and helping it soar high that I found it difficult
to leave.
We each left with a gift
bag of goodies collected from Hanes, Bali & Macy’s distributed in the support of breast cancer awareness. I have
two extras to offer any guest contributors to this blog on the subject of Breast Cancer or Breast Cancer Awareness
to people sharing their stories on the page I will establish on my website, AlekaNakis.com. Being that this information is too important to limit to a single month’s exposure,
I will maintain the page as long as readers keep coming to it. If it will help one woman raise her arms
and fight, it will have met its purpose.
So visit the page and send your comments and pictures to Aleka@AlekaNakis.com .
Remember, united we are a force to be reckoned with!
PS
Saturday night, I received an email from Andrea:
Aleka,
Here is the link again. So far the total raised is $1247. Thanks for everything!
Follow this LINK to visit my personal web page and help me in my efforts to support Komen Foundation - Miami / Ft. Lauderdale Affiliate
******************************************************************************
Some email systems do not support the use of links and therefore this link may not appear to work. If so, copy and paste
the following into your browser:
http://www.mftlkomengeneral.kintera.org/andriana?faf=1&e=1312095982
******************************************************************************
Today, Tuesday, I received a call. The total is now over $1400!
Way
to go!
