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Turtle Tales
by Carol Breidenbach
We can all help find a cure
5 June 2001
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I read everything that was available so that I could be informed and make good decisions. I also subscribed to the National Breast Cancer Coalition Newsletter. In one issue of the newsletter, they were asking for volunteers to get petitions signed for members of congress to urge them to allocate more money for cancer research.
I wanted very badly to circulate that petition, but didn't quite have enough nerve to go around and ask for signatures. Then I heard Linda Ellerbee speak about her experience of being a breast cancer survivor; she challenged us to get out there and do whatever we could to help find a cure for cancer.
I though my two daughters, my sisters, my nieces and I knew I had to become part of finding a cure. I copied that petition and started circulating it. To my surprise, people were happy to sign it and encouraged me. I even carried my pink balloon and participated in a march for more money for cancer research. My kids really got a charge out of their usually mild, passive mother on TV during the evening news participating in that march.
I am very thankful for the many women and men who have participated in trials of new cancer treatments. Without their gift of courage, research could not continue. My gratitude extends to the researchers who diligently work away in their labs in spite of slow and sometimes disappointing progress.
I wear a pin on my lapel that says, "Breast Cancer, Say it, Fight it, Cure it, Damn it!" That is not very nice, but breast cancer is not a very nice disease. I never had the courage to wear that pin until my best friend, Kate, received her second diagnosis of breast cancer. I am spurred on to stay involved in raising funds for research by all my friends who have experienced all different kinds of cancer in all different stages. Ultimately, my biggest motivation is the loss of several very dear friends to cancer.
When I was a child growing up, people feared getting polio. I can remember my mother worrying every summer about us contracting polio and the stories in the neighborhood of those stricken. In my lifetime I witnessed the discovery of the polio vaccine. I hope in my lifetime to witness the discovery of the cure to all kinds of cancer. Some of the cures have been discovered, but we have a long ways to go.
Cancer is a lot more complicated disease to cure because there are so many different kinds. Because I am most familiar with breast cancer, I am most aware of the progress made in this area. Tamoxifen, a relatively new medication is curing and prolonging the lives of many women. Chemotherapy that used to be given for one year only has to be given for three months now because research showed that less treatments were just as effective. New anti-hormone drugs have been discovered that stop or slow the cancer's growth. Also one side effect of breast cancer can be osteoporosis because survivors are not able to take hormone replacement therapy. There are two new drugs available now to help replace bone density in these women.
The bottom line is that it takes money, lots of money, to continue the research and clinical trials to find a cure. Many experimental treatments are not covered by insurance for patients and these patients need financial assistance. It is bad enough to have to be sick, one shouldn't also have to worry about money for treatment. The American Cancer Society provided valuable resources and support to our family during and after my battle with cancer.
Relay for Life is a fund raising event coordinated by the American Cancer Society community volunteers and supported by local businesses and organizations. Relays are held all over the country. Their goal is to raise money for continued research, educational programs, advocacy and patient support groups. I want to encourage you to visit the American Cancer Society website at www.cancer.org. It provides additional information about the relay, the services of the American Cancer Society and the prevention, detection and treatment of cancer.
My husband and I are captains of a Relay for Life Team and our team is sponsoring a used book sale. Our general manager here at The Expositor has been good enough to give us a room to store and collect our books in. Everyday on my lunch hour, I sort and price books that people have generously donated to our cause. I am happy to do this.
You can be part of finding a cure. Sponsor a walker, participate in our fund raisers at the Fulton County Fair Grounds during the Relay for Life on Friday, June 8, starting at 6 p.m. to noon on Saturday, June 9. All events are open to the public and you do not have to be a team member to participate. There are all kinds of entertainment and lots of good food to eat and of course, our great book sale! The book sale starts at 10 a.m. Friday, June 8, under the grandstand at the fair grounds and continues on to the close of the relay. Hope to see you there! Together we can make a difference in the fight against cancer!
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