Mother's Day Weekend

So was at my home town over the weekend for Mother's day. Every year my family does a Race for the Cure walk around my town, it's been determined it's too much hassle doing it at the real race since it gets so crowded. There were about 20 of us that did it. One of my aunt's, a survivor, and we carried on the memory of her sister that lost her battle 7 years ago this October, and the other sister who lives in Denver but is also a survivor. It's a random group of friends and family that make it each year, but it's a good walk. And this year an additional stop for screwdrivers and bloody marys at some friends was added, and then there was brunch for all. Susan G. Koman is such a good organization. While it may seem that there isn't always a lot of progress made, and there is always so much money raised you wonder where it goes? But I can tell you, my aunt, the survivor that was walking today, might not be here if not for Susan G. Koman. See after her diagnosis, she went through her chemo, and radiation (after a mastectomy) and then went through a clinical trial of an anti-cancer drug. This drug proved to be so good in the trial, that they stopped the trial early, and pushed it to market. My aunt was told she had been given the drug and came away with a clean bill of health. This August will mark 6 years since she was through all treatments and she's still cancer free. Five years clean is almost considered to be cured...So while there may be questions about the reasearch, I definitely think it's worthwhile. Without that drug, who knows how she'd be doing now. It's just too bad that it wasn't found soon enough for her sister. Hopefully someday they will be able to wipe out breast cancer, but until then, it's definitely an organization worth supporting.

Susan G. Komen

OK, I tend to avoid writing, at least a bit, on things too political and/or religious etc…but you know what, this is my blog and I should be able to write what I want right?

I grew up Catholic/Methodist, neither parent really religious, but went to church on occasion at each…I was given the choice and went Methodist cause I liked the Pastor, she left and I didn’t really go much and then mom started going Catholic so I followed her…so I’m technically Catholic…I don’t really follow most of what the church says, but have been pretty good in following Lent and when I go to church, it is toward Catholic…but last week I was pushed too far. There was an article in USA Today (and maybe other places) about some diocese, mostly in the south, Little Rock was the main one, but Atlanta and a couple of others were in there. They made the paper because they were telling their parishnors to STOP donating to Susan G. Komen, their reasoning you ask? Because Susan G. Komen apparently gives 1% of the money it takes in for research and other uses related to breast cancer to Planned Parenthood to provide breast exams for low income women. The best way to prevent or survive breast cancer is early detection, and some people can’t afford a doctor, this is a way to get around that…but the Church, in it’s all knowing wisdom, says don’t give because that 1% that goes to PP is evil because you know, PP provides birth control, and of course, in extreme instances pregnancy termination…So don’t give to a breast cancer organization because they are trying to provide exams. That seems right huh? Can you give money to the church for them to give poor women to get the exams?? I doubt it. Of course in all its wisdom, the Church knows that that money doesn’t specifically go where Komen tells it to go, but if anyone did any research on PP they would know that even if you are full funded, meaning you have no money to pay for any part of the services you receive, you cannot have an AIDS test, cryogenic surgery or an abortion. Those are all things you have to pay no matter how little money you have. OK, so the church has an issue with BC too, which you can get if you have no money, but it’s better than someone with no money also have a child they have to raise with no money right, and it’s better to not get pregnant with said child than to have an abortion right? Anyway…the Church’s antiquated and messed up values just have finally pushed me over I guess. Maybe I shouldn’t be so sensitive, but when you see your aunt die from breast cancer, it kind of makes you a little touchy on the subject. And when you see your aunt who survived (6 years and counting) due to an experimental drug that she received, due to research, that was probably at least partly funded by Koman (and her sister, the one that died, supported the organization fully) you get a little upset when a religion is telling people NOT to give to that organization.