Curing Breast Cancer One Step At A Time

On Saturday, my husband and I participated in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure in Washington, DC. This was such an awesome experience. I was able to meet several breast cancer survivors and families of breast cancer survivors. Although it was early in the morning, everyone was extremely excited about walking/running for the cure. Some people had banners, some had T-Shirts and some had signs for the relatives they were walking for. There were also those who had their babies in strollers pushing them along, so that they could be a part of the race.

Keno and I walked for my grandmother, Mrs. Dorothea Smith, and several of my family members who are and were victims of Breast Cancer. At one point, I found myself getting emotional and thanking God for allowing my grandmother to survive as long as she has. I know that if it was not for Him, she would not be with us today.

Thank you to all who supported my on this volunteer act and to those who made financial contributions. With our help, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Foundation is now a step closer to helping those who are Breast Cancer victims.

Support Susan G. Komen Global Race For The Cure

On Saturday, June 6, 2009, I will be volunteering for the Susan G. Komen Global Race For the Cure. http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure®, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world.

I am so excited about volunteering. Breaset Cancers is a disease that has affected several members in my family. My grandmother, Mrs. Dorothea Smith, is a 25 year breast cancer survivor. Last year her cancer returned, but with many thanks to God and technology, she was able to combat the disease.

Please join in with me in the fight against Breast Cancer Awareness and make a small donation to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. You can do so by visiting my Race for the Cure website. Click here to visit my personal page.

Check Out My Design

Domestic Violence Awareness

Did You Know That:

• One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.


• An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.


• 85% of domestic violence victims are women.


• Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.


• Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.


• Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.

Children Who Witness Domestic Violence:

• Witnessing violence between one’s parents or caretakers is the strongest risk factor of transmitting violent behavior from one generation to the next.


• Boys who witness domestic violence are twice as likely to abuse their own partners and children when they become adults.


• 30% to 60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the household

Did You Know That:

• One in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.


• Nearly 7.8 million women have been raped by an intimate partner at some point in their lives.


• Sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of battering relationships.


• 1 in 12 women and 1 in 45 men have been stalked in their lifetime.


• 81% of women stalked by a current or former intimate partner are also physically assaulted by that partner; 31% are also sexually assaulted by that partner

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MUST STOP!!!!

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Awareness is a topic that is very near and dear to my heart. I have several breast cancer survivors in my family and I have several family members who passed away from Breast Cancer. My grandmother, Dorothea Smith, is a Breast Cancer Survivor for over 25 years. She has battled the disease with prayer, chemotherapy, medication, a mastectomy and most of all the support of her loving family. She is not afraid to speak out about the disease and inform others about her survival. She constanly reminds women to do breast exams and to stay on top of their doctor appointments.

My lovely Grandmother and me on my Masters Graduation last year!

Below are some Breast Cancer Facts:

Who gets breast cancer?
Anyone can get breast cancer. For example, did
you know…
• the older a woman, the more likely she is to get
breast cancer?
• white women are more likely to get breast cancer
than women of any other racial or ethnic group?
• African American women are more likely to die
from breast cancer than white women?
• men can get breast cancer, although it is rare?
Less than one of every 100 cases of breast cancer
in the U.S. occurs in men.
• in 2008, it is estimated that men will account for
1,990 cases of breast cancer?1

If I am diagnosed with breast cancer, what are my
chances of surviving?
In general, pretty good. The 5-year survival rate for all
women diagnosed with breast cancer is 89 percent.2
This means that 89 out of every 100 women with
breast cancer will survive for at least five years. Most
will live a full life and never have a recurrence. Your
chances of surviving are better if the cancer is detected
early, before it spreads to other parts of your body. In
fact, when breast cancer is found early and confined to
the breast, the 5-year survival rate is 98 percent.2 That
is why it is so important to take steps to detect breast
cancer in its earliest stages.

Are you at risk?
Most women have more than one known risk factor
for developing breast cancer, yet will never get the
disease. Some risk factors are things that you do not
have any control over, while others can be changed
by making changes in your lifestyle (see list below).
What is the most important risk factor? Simply being a
woman. But remember, there is no one cause of breast
cancer. If you are concerned about your breast cancer
risk, discuss your options with your doctor.
Risk factors:
• being a woman
• getting older
• having a mutation in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 breast
cancer genes
• having a personal history of breast or ovarian cancer
• having a family history of breast cancer or ovarian
cancer
• having high breast density on a mammogram
• having a previous biopsy showing hyperplasia or
carcinoma in situ
• never having children
• having your first child after age 35
• radiation exposure, frequent x-rays in youth
• high bone density
• gaining weight after menopause
• currently or recently using combined estrogen and
progestin hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

My First Computer Class

Last night I completed teaching my first computer class for the Seniors at my church, Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. This was an awesome experience. All of my students were over the age of 70!!! They were all eager to learn and couldn't wait to become computer literate. I met with my students once a week for an hour. Some of them would arrive 15-30 minutes ahead of time just to make sure they were ready for my when I got there. I was truly amazed at how quickly they picked up on the information and also their ability to retain the information. Last night was a bitter/sweet moment for me. I was sad that the class was ending but I was happy that I was able to help someone along the way. At least I know my living is not in vain!

Art Supply Drive for Turn Around Inc.

I am a member of the Baltimore Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and we are hosting an Art Supply Drive for Turn Around, Inc.http://turnaroundinc.org

Turn Around, Inc. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault/abuse, through counseling, education, support services and advocacy. Art is utilized to allow children to express themselves and to help them get through traumatic experiences. They are currently in need of the following art supplies to assist with their sessions:

• Magic Markers


• Crayons


• Glue


• Loose Glitter


• Glitter Glue


• Construction Paper


• Sock to Make Dolls


• Doll Stuffing


• Plain White T-shirts

Art Supply Collections will be held at:
Metro Delta Head Start
2001 Park Avenue (On the Hill)
Baltimore, MD 21217
Monday, May 11, 2009 6pm - 8pm
Thursday, May 14, 2009 6pm - 8pm

If you are interested in making a donations, please feel free to contact me at mrsbaltimorecounty@hotmail.com.