Mankey's Mellon Mission

You knew it was coming, my fundraising letter for Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure 2010, Chicago edition. I bought my shoes so it’s time train and fundraise for my favorite cause.

For those that do not know my story, I’m involved with the Komen because of my mom, a 5-year breast cancer survivor. After losing my dad at 6 years old and facing the possibility of losing my mom at 26 years old, I could easily sit back, and succumb to self-pity. Instead I decided to fight back by joined the world’s largest grass roots organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to help end breast cancer.

My involvement started with volunteering for the Race for the Cure and a few years later I’m going to participate in my 4th and 5th Races for the Cure and 4th and 5th 3-Day events. I thought I would wait to walk again but as I volunteered at the informational meetings I was reminded:
• 90 percent of breast cancer diagnoses have NO family history of breast cancer,
• For every 100 women diagnosed, 1 man will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
• Every 3 minutes, 1 more woman or man will be diagnosed with breast cancer,
• Every 13 minutes one more parent, sibling, grandparent or child will lose their battle with breast cancer; and
• EVERYONE deserves a lifetime. 

My mom was my reason to get involved with Komen but my inspiration this year comes from the women of my generation. 1 of every 229 women in their 30’s will be diagnosed with breast cancer and I dedicate my walk to them. To help celebrate my own 30th birthday; I have set my fundraising goal at $3,000 and I am asking for your help to achieve that goal. Please donate and help keep my generation around to see their children grow-up and get married.

For 2010 I’ve chosen to walk in Chicago the first week of August then 2 weeks later I’ll become my alter ego Safety Princess and volunteer for the Twin Cities event as a member of the route safety crew. 

All funds raised will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Komen has played a critical role in every major advance in the fight against breast cancer since 1982 including the discovery of the BRCA I gene, discovery of the hormone driven tumor and the use of MRI technology in detecting tumors that mammograms did not find.

To make a donation please visit my personal donation page: www.the3day.org/goto/ElizabethMankey.

On a much lighter note, it took me 3 years but I finally came up with my team name, Mankey’s Mellon Mission. Yes if you are unfamiliar with the 3-Day environment it can be vulgar but it keeps with the spirit of the 3-Day and remember I do wear a crown on my bike helmet and walk 60 miles in the name of finding a cure, not to forget the hundreds of miles and hours I spend training.

ATTENTION ALL TWIN CITIES RESIDENTS:
Don’t buy your flowers and plants just yet. On Mother’s Day weekend (May 7-10) go to any of the Linder’s locations and present the below coupon when checking out. Linder’s will donate a portion of your purchase to my 3-Day fundraising account! You can print as many coupons as you like, shop as many times as you like and of course feel free to give as many of the coupons out that you like to your friends or many co-workers…hint hint.

PS. Blogging pimping will return next week.