Persuasive Speech (my last one) - Walk for your tatas!

According to Komen.org; did you know that 1 in 8 women in the US continue to be diagnosed with breast cancer?  It’s a devastating disease with physical, emotional, psychological and financial pain that can last a lifetime.  Without a cure, an estimated 5 million Americans will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 1 million could die over the next 25 years.  More shocking, without a cure, an estimated 25 million women around the world will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 10 million could die over the next 25 years.

Today, I’d like to talk to you about a wonderful foundation fighting to strike down those frightening numbers I just went over with you.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure is paving the way to end breast cancer forever.  Throughout this talk I will tell you a little bit about the Susan G. Komen foundation, I will tell you about their work and how they’re changing lives including yours and also encourage you to get together a group of friends, raise some money and join them in the walk for the cure.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation was started by Nancy G. Brinker thirty years ago in 1982.  It was shortly before that that she was faced with devastating news; her older sister Susan G. Komen was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of thirty three. 

Nancy remembers Susan as “beautiful and kind and loving to everyone.  She was the star of her Illinois hometown, the high school homecoming queen and college beauty queen”.   One Tuesday afternoon Susan called Nancy with some scary news.  She went for her normal check up and he doctor had found a lump in her breast and it was not the usual cyst.  They did a biopsy, which is the surgical removal of tissue that is then reviewed under a microscope to see if any cancer cells might be present.  The results were in and Susan’s life would forever change – she had cancer and it was going to be a fight ahead to rid it.   Unfortunately after a long three-year battle enduring three rounds of radiation and chemotherapy along with nine daunting operations Susan lost and cancer won.   

Susan was always thinking about others even during the fight of her life.  She wanted to help others become knowledgeable about cancer but she lacked the strength during her own battle.  Susan wanted to make these types of doctors appointments more patient focused but she never got the chance to make the positive changes she’d dreamed about throughout.

It was after the initial heartache and completely devastating loss that Nancy mustered up the courage to take hold of Susan’s dream and give her voice that she could no longer project to make positive changes and impact future lives that might one day encounter such a evil and dreadful disease. 

In the last three decades Nancy is happy to report that they have “invested more in breast cancer research than any other organization – over $1.9 million to date.  She states that breast cancer death rates in the U.S. have fallen by more than 30% in 20 years.   Survival rates for women with early stage cancer are at 99% (up from 74% when they first started).  According to Cancer.org’s last medical review end of 2011, more than 2.6 million breast cancer survivors are in the U.S.  This is the largest survival rate for a specific cancer and a living testament to the unbelievable will power to change society and improve science to save our lives.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure has continued to educate the world about breast cancer and help transform how the world not only talks about cancer but how it’s treated as well.  Where you once may have felt alone and lost you can now find comfort amongst friends and other survivors ready to step in and fight the battle with you.  For the Cure has contributed to helping women get early detection by making sure women know what to look for and get regular mammograms.  They have raised amazing awareness - even the federal government devotes more than $900 million each year to breast cancer research, treatment and prevention.   For the Cure gives hope that you can fight and win the battle of breast cancer and they allow a safe place for survivors to gather and share stories to inspire others – people like you and I who might one day come to look cancer dead in the face.

After hearing everything I’ve discussed so far I know that you’re eager to know how you can contribute to this great cause and how you can impact the lives of others and make a real difference in your communities and across the nation.

For the Cure offers a variety of ways to make a difference but the biggest impact made comes from participating in the most successful charity event ever created; the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  The race allows you to celebrate fellow survivors and properly honor those you’ve lost in the devastating battle.  It’s also an event that raises cold hard cash needed to continue extensive research to further knowledge and treatment programs for patients. 

The Race for the Cure caters to all ages and you can walk, run, jog, cruise by stroller or wheelchair… and just because the color “pink” defines breast cancer in today’s society doesn’t mean it discriminates in the slightest – all men are welcomed with open arms; after all breast cancer also affects the male population.

I have personally walked in the Race for the Cure and our team alone was able to raise over $5,000.00.  Doing the walk was one of the most rewarding moments of my life.  Pink shirts stretched as far as I could see and the day was nothing short of inspiring and utterly amazing.  It was such an emotional experience that I will cherish my entire life.  People shared their stories about victory, love and loss impacted my life and has taught me that you can’t take life for granted and you have to make the most of the people you love and hold dear to your heart because you never know when cancer might be knocking on your door.  The fight and determination of those who’ve survived such a devilish disease only gives you hope for you and also your loved ones that we’re getting to the end and will one day find the cure we so desperately seek now and yesterday.

I was especially touched walking in the hopes of finding a cure because both my grandmother and also my aunt are breast cancer survivors.  Without the knowledge and dedication to the cause they may not have had the chance to put up and fight and come out victorious.   Thinking back to my aunt battling cancer, I remember what a hard time it was for our family and one I hope no family has to go through.  I pray that one day my hope comes a reality not only for my future but also for yours and your children and theirs and so on.

Thinking about just the $5,000.00 my team was able to raise - imagine the magnitude of fund raising each race has the potential of raising… every little bit helps make a huge difference.  I’d like to ask you today to invest you heart into this cure.  I’d like to encourage you to get together a group of friends, co-workers and even people you don’t know. Set a goal and blow it out of the water to raise money for something that will touch 1 in 8 women for a lifetime to come.  Join me and walk for Susan G. Komen, for yourself, for you sister, for your mother, for your daughter, your grandmother, your neighbor, your best friend and someone you’ve never even met.  Walk so that no one has to suffer another loss to a disease like this.    

I’d like to end with a quote I found on ThinkSlogans.com by an unknown author, “Boobs: they could use your support”… so I say to you, get out there and walk and give them the push up support they deserve.

Sources:

Komen.org.  Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  2012.  11 June 2012.  http://ww5.komen.org/

Cancer.org.  American Cancer Society, Inc.  2012.  12 June 2012.  http://www.cancer.org/Research/CancerFactsFigures/BreastCancerFactsFigures/breast-cancer-facts-and-figures-2011-2012

ThinkSlogans.com.  Think Slogans.  2012.  12 June 2012.  http://www.thinkslogans.com/slogans/cancer-slogans/breast-cancer-slogans/