Last year, I walked in the Avon 3-Day Breast Cancer Crusade. It was one of the most incredible events of my life. (To read more about my experience, look at the the diary page.) This year, I'm walking again.

The weekend of October 11-13, I’ll walk 60 miles from Bear Mountain to Manhattan with more than 3,000 other courageous people to raise money for breast cancer and other diseases that affect women. The net proceeds from the event will support non-profit breast health programs in every region of the country, and medical research on breast cancer. The Avon Products Foundation, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, will award grants to these types of organizations. To learn more about the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, visit www.avoncrusade.com.

About 500 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer today. This year, over 180,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer. Over 40,000 will die. Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the U.S., and the leading cause of death among women between the ages of 40 and 55.*

1 out of 9 women in the United States will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. My friend Diane discovered a small lump on her breast three years ago. Because of early detection, she is now cancer-free. A member of my quilt group, Nancy, died last August. She had inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare form of breast cancer. (There’s a special quilt, called Nancy’s Quilt — if you’re a quilter and want information about the quilt, please let me know. The proceeds go to breast cancer research.)

Many of us know women who are battling breast cancer. These women are our co-workers, our friends, our cousins and aunts, our grandmothers and our mothers. These women leave a hole in our lives if they do not win their fight with breast cancer. I lost my mother to a brain tumor when I was fourteen years old. Thirty-four years later, I think of her every day. Walking in the 3-Day will raise research dollars — and will help to keep these women with us.

So, that’s why I’m walking.

And I’ve agreed to raise at least $1,900 in pledges before August 24th. But, I need your help. Would you please consider making a fully tax-deductible pledge to help me meet my goal before August 24th?

Please go to the "Donate" page to see how you can make an on-line donation.

I hope that you’ll share this incredible adventure with me — by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. Thank you in advance for your generosity!