October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

On Sunday, October 14th, Conrad, the kids, and I will be walking in the Race for the Cure 1-mile Family Walk in Hunt Valley, MD.

We will walk in support of WhyMommy, who I've mentioned before, a truly awesome woman and all-around inspiration (her writing and her attitude are pretty damn good).

WhyMommy is trying to get the important message out that breast cancer does not have to begin with a lump.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer is a rare and aggressive form of the disease that is often misdiagnosed as mastitis. Learn about IBC, pass the information on, and help decrease the instances of misdiagnosis.

In the short time I've been blogging, I have learned one thing--the internet, and the blogosphere in particular, are powerful tools to spread information and knowledge. Use that power to get the word out. Inflammatory Breast Cancer does NOT begin with a lump.

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will contract a form of breast cancer? It seems astounding to me...1 in 8. Statistically, it basically guarantees I will know someone at a close and personal level.

Although I haven't personally met WhyMommy, her story has affected me--it hit close to home. Her oldest son, Widget, was born the same month as my Sunshine. Her youngest son, Little Bear, was born 4 months after my Deuteronomy. I feel like I have a small window into what her life is probably like with two toddlers. It is obvious from reading her blog that she is a great mother to her sons. And she does it while battling this disease and helping raise awareness. I have never met her, but I want to do whatever I can to help her get her message out.

So, I am walking. And I am taking my two babies and my husband with me, and together we will do our small part to get the word out and to support WhyMommy and the rest of her TEAM.

And I am blogging. And hoping that my words will join the words of the many others who are trying to make a difference this month, Breast Cancer Awareness month, and every month that follows.