In 2009, 192,370 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer. This cancer is invasive and intense, and although the number of cases continues to rise, the efforts to cure it are just as extreme.
Advances in breast cancer research are improving the amount of people who are cured with long-term cancer. About 90 percent of women with breast cancer are cured within 5 years after their diagnosis, and 80 percent more are cured within 10 years.
Although the statistics of survivors are high, the number of deaths in the United States from breast cancer remains high as well. This year alone there have been 40,180 deaths from breast cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention breast cancer is the second most common cancer, accounting for more than 1 in 4 cancers. It is also the second leading cause of death for women. However, efforts to find a cure are huge.
Mary Lou Bennett sat in her rocking chair. The wind was crisp and you could see your breath in air as you huffed out into the wintery air. Mary Lou is 71-years-old. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 49. After fighting for 7 years, Mary Lou joined the other two million breast cancer survivors in the United States.
“Young people today are the one’s who will be dealing with this in the tomorrows. The things that kids are participating in for this cause makes me proud to be a survivor,” said Mary Lou in a slow voice. Her eyes filled with tears, and as they fell you could see some of the pain leaving her body.
North Carolina has had a big impact on the amount of money raised nationally for breast cancer research and development. All over the state, not only individuals but also groups of people are working together to find a cure for this disease.
Kids Making a Difference
One of the biggest fundraisers in North Carolina gives others the ability to see that at a young age, a little effort can go a long way. What was most surprising about this fundraiser was the fact that it was created, run, and hosted by a sorority made up of college-aged students.
Each year, at North Carolina Chapel Hill, the sorority Zeta Tau Alpha puts on a fundraiser for breast cancer. This year was the 20th anniversary of the race. The race is a 5K that consists of a path through the campus mainly going through Franklin Street.
The Franklin 5K which is the name of Chapel Hill’s breast cancer race, has raised the most money of any fundraiser for sororities throughout the entire nation. Last year alone, it raised over $45,000 and consisted of around 400 runners.
“It’s amazing to see the turnout at the race and know that all the money is going to something you care so much about,” said Chapel Hill’s Zeta Tau Alpha President Katie Lindsay.
All the proceeds from the Franklin 5K are given to the Komen for the Cure and The Lineberger Cancer Center.
“Knowing that all our hard work pays off and actually benefits people who are suffering from the disease is really rewarding to see. It’s something to be really proud of,” says junior Amy DeJohn, Zeta Tau Alpha member.
The Reality
Even with full coverage from health insurance, the cost of fighting for your life with a disease such as Breast Cancer is enormous. The New York Times recently published a story on patients driven into bankruptcy due to their medical bills.
When you’re fighting for your life, you know you could lose everything.
“It’s agonizing and drains everything from you. There’s mornings where it doesn’t seem worth it, but then you see the effort people are making for you and you get up, you go out, and you live the day like everything’s going to be okay,” said 16-year cancer survivor Mary Lou Bennett.
As paying for breast cancer treatments becomes increasingly worse, fundraisers have been created to help for this sole purpose.
Walking For a Cause
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a race that occurs in cities all over the nation. This race is unique in that all the money raised goes towards women and men to get all the medical treatment needed regardless of their ability to pay. This year, Charlotte hosted the event, with over 1,100 walkers and raising over $2.3 million.
Over the two-day walk, participants walk 39 miles. In these 39 miles, you walk with supporters, survivors, and relatives of those suffering with breast cancer.
Mary Beth Long spent her first semester finding sponsors to pay for her trip to Charlotte. After raising $2,000, Mary Beth was able to participate in the walk to show support for her grandmother who had recently passed away from breast cancer.
“After 39 miles your feet hurt, you’re tired, and you’ve got blisters,” said Mary Beth Long, a 2009 participant in the walk, “but you can’t describe the feeling at the end of the walk when you know everyone is there for the same reason.”
The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer not only unites those who are affected by Breast Cancer, but unites all for one goal, which is to end the disease that affects so many in our lives. The money raised in the Avon Walk is all put towards the screening of both men and women’s treatment of breast cancer regardless of your ability to pay.
Meredith Nichols also participated in the walk this February. She walked in honor of her aunt who passed away from breast cancer in 2008.
“It’s probably the most tiring two days of my life, but it was also the most rewarding. I met so many great people and the stories I heard were unbelievable. The amount of fight that Breast Cancer survivors have is amazing”, says participant Meredith Nichols. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer comes together to support the leading research teams throughout the entire nation to fund their search for a cure.
October!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month celebrated its 25th year this October. The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is made to promote the awareness of this horrible cancer. Today, there is still much to be accomplished.
This year’s 25th anniversary of Breast Cancer Awareness Month was devoted to the education and empowerment of women to take monthly breast exams and schedule annual mammograms. Throughout the month of October, calendars were passed out with stickers each month reminding you to do a self-exam, pink ribbons were seen worn by many, and around campus bags were worn with pink ribbons stitched on them.
In High Point alone, numberous fundraisers were done during the month of October to contribute to research for breast cancer. Zeta Tau Alpha put on a balloon release where released pink balloons that were bought for one dollar for anyone who survived, died, or is fighting with breast cancer. Pink ribbons were also given out all month at High Point University along with the collection of Yoplait Yogurt lids which teams up with the Susan G. Komen foundation.
“I believe that my Mom would still be alive if she had followed the advice about early detection. It is worth taking the time to say these words in the hope that even one person will really get that whole ‘early-detection’ message”, said David Duhaime.
Join the Cause
With statistics from the National Cancer Institute showing that about 1 in 8 women in the United States will get breast cancer during their lifetime, the importance of breast cancer stays dangerously high.
The awareness of Breast Cancer and the efforts that are being made to find a cure are endless. In North Carolina alone, there are fundraisers going on constantly. If a sorority in Chapel Hill can raise $45,000, the possibilities are infinite. The early awareness of Breast Cancer around the nation is saving millions of lives. The fundraisers are just a glimpse of the efforts being made to cure the disease.
“It is very cool to imagine that your children may gather in this same way you do now in about 25 years or so – and celebrate that there are no more breast cancer stories”, Mary Lou Bennett says.
Sidebar: Big Man on Campus
On Tuesday December 8th, Zeta Tau Alpha hosted its third annual Big Man on Campus. The event is to raise money for the sorority’s philanthropy, which is breast cancer awareness and education.
Big Man on Campus includes male students who are nominated by different organizations on campus including fraternities, sororities, sports teams, clubs, and more. The event is a type of male beauty pageant.
“This year, it will include a portion where nominees do a video interview, a talent, and then show off business attire, swimsuit, and other outfits throughout the night of competition,” said Fundraiser Chair Sasha Slacum.
With judges from High Point University and well-known contestants, the event was the comedic relief everyone needed during the week of finals.
As Whitney Kaltenbach cleaned up after the show, she said spoke with a voice that was filled with satisfaction. “It’s just amazing to see the Fine Arts Center sold out, filled with students who paid to get in. The pay their $5, but they have no idea how much this could help find a cure for breast cancer.”
Out of 13 contestants, winner Robert Walker was chosen for the second year in a row. The show, which was judged by faculty, raised over $3,000 in one night for breast cancer. The members of Zeta Tau Alpha, who surrounded the Fine Arts Center, wore pink ribbons proudly.
Junior Zeta Tau Alpha member Kara Hickman commented on the philanthropy with excitement saying, “In this semester we’ve raised over $5,000 already. With all the fundraisers around the nation, I know a cure will be found soon.”
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