From the time I was a little girl, I had a way of getting involved with things without even really meaning to. My parents and I had a joke when I was younger—if someone told me there was going to be a dog fight in the high school parking lot, and everyone was going to be there, I would insist that my parents take me to that dog fight. Somehow, I just find my way into stuff.

One day, about two months or so ago, I got a phone call from the American Cancer Society. They had gotten my name from a co-worker (you know who you are!) who thought I might be interested in supporting the struggle against breast cancer. Now, of course I support the fight against breast cancer—who doesn’t? But I’ve never had breast cancer, and neither has anyone in my immediate family. It isn’t an issue that touches me personally yet (although statistically, one in eight American women will have breast cancer at some point in their lives).

But I can’t really say no, and anyway, all the lady asked was if she could contact me again about an event. I thought, “She’s not asking me for money or anything, so whatever. Put me down.” See, these American Cancer Society folks are smart.

I was a bit suspicious, though, when they invited me to the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer annual kickoff breakfast. I thought, “Now is when they’ll ask me for the money.” So I didn’t RSVP to their mailing. They don’t give up that easily, though… the same woman called me back, and again, I couldn’t say no. I kept waiting for the mention of how much I would have to donate to go to this breakfast, but no one said anything.

I guess I’m a bit slow on the uptake, because the breakfast program yesterday had already started when I realized what they were asking me to do—they didn’t want my money. They wanted me to raise money from other people by helping to lead the Presbyterian Center’s involvement in the breast cancer walk on October 23. I had already walked out of the Galt House Ballroom with my 50 brochures, posters, and a free t-shirt before I was fully aware of how handily I’d been recruited for the Making Strides campaign.

So here I am, about to walk for women fighting breast cancer. I have since found out that yes, there are women in my family who have developed this disease, some of whom have died from it. I have also learned that breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American women. If caught early, though, the chances of survival are fairly high.

One myth I brought into yesterday’s breakfast was that breast cancer primarily struck older women—our mothers and grandmothers. But at this event, the cancer survivor who spoke was only 29 years old. Breast cancer does strike young women. In fact, according to the Young Survival Coalition (www.youngsurvival.org), 11,000 women under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Nearly 1300 of those women will die of the disease—it is the leading cause of cancer-related death in women ages 15-40.

Contrary to my misconception, breast cancer is a young woman’s issue. If you get the chance, walk to support the Making Strides campaign in your own community so that there is money for valuable research and advocacy. Of course, you can always donate money to my walk, too… I’ll keep you all filled in on the details.

“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” --Mark 5:34

Kelsey