Breast Cancer Network of Strength – Illinois – formerly Y-ME

I did this walk when I found out a sorrority sister died at 44 and I felt like I should do something in her honor. It was a little crowded (I did the race downtown on Mother’s Day.) but I have to say, the jacket that I got for the amount of money I raised was absolutely top quality and has quickly become my favorite work out piece of apparel. It’s always nice to feel like you get something that is actually useful.

YMe is amazing — the difference between them and other breast cancer orgs is that they’re focused on NOW (today) and not just funding money for research — Y-​ME National Breast Cancer Organization provides programs and services to those who are touched by breast cancer. The 24-​hour Y-​ME National Breast Cancer Hotline is the only 24-​hour hotline in the country that is staffed entirely by trained peer counselors who are breast cancer survivors. The Hotline and all of Y-ME’s programs are offered free of charge to those who need them. Since I’ve moved back to Chicago, I’ve always volunteered and just this past year (2005), I was able to co-​captain our company team and we had a great experience participating in it for a wonderful cause.