226,870 New Cases of Breast Cancer in 2012

It is estimated that in 2012, there will be 226,870 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women. That number is absolutely insane to me. It is also estimated that 39,510 women will die of breast cancer in 2012. Those numbers right there are why I am so passionate about the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The Susan G. Komen foundation began with the dream of a sister. Nancy's sister, Susan G. Komen, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Below is the exact "about us" taken from their website.

"Susan G. Komen fought breast cancer with her heart, body and soul. Throughout her diagnosis, treatments, and endless days in the hospital, she spent her time thinking of ways to make life better for other women battling breast cancer instead of worrying about her own situation. That concern for others continued even as Susan neared the end of her fight. Moved by Susan’s compassion for others and committed to making a difference, Nancy G. Brinker promised her sister that she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever.

That promise is now Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader of the breast cancer movement, having invested more than $1.9 billion since inception in 1982. As the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, we’re working together to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® and the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure®, and generous contributions from our partners, sponsors and fellow supporters, we have become the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. "

WOW! The line about Nancy promising her sister that she would do everything she could to end breast cancer forever makes me cry every time I read it. The Susan G. Komen Foundation is so inspiring. My grandma was the first person to tell me about this Foundation and I am happy she did. They are changing lives and creating more hope for everyone affected by breast cancer.

The money donated to the foundation goes to advancing research, education, screening and treatment for breast cancer. When the Susan G. Komen Foundation started 25 years ago, "the five-year survival rate was just 74 percent when breast cancer was diagnosed before it spread beyond the breast. Today, that survival rate is 98 percent."

That is crazy! They are doing amazing things and I am so happy to join them in the fight for a cure. 

Why I Chose the Susan G. Komen Foundation for January's Donation

I chose the Susan G. Komen Foundation in honor of my Grandma Nancy. She was one of the most beautiful people I know and I am so incredibly lucky to have had her in my life.

There are truly not enough words to describe my grandmother. She was amazing and a true survivor. In 1999, my grandma was diagnosed with breast cancer. She went into remission, but was diagnosed again. After she went into remission, she was diagnosed again. In 2009, she passed away. But what I learned from my grandma was not to grieve for her, but to live life how she wanted me to live it. She wouldn't want me to be sad, she would want me to be happy and celebrate her life instead of being upset that she was gone.

If you had met my grandma, you would've never known that she had cancer. Her wig was the only thing that gave it away. But she rarely wore her wig when her hair started to grow back and honestly, it was my favorite way she wore her hair. Her spirit was always so high and she loved everyone.

She taught me to not sweat the small stuff. She was a cancer survivor, how can you sweat the small stuff? She loved with all of her heart, believed in the Lord with all of her faith, hoped for a better future and prayed everyday. I'm not sure I know anyone who had the much love to give.

Selfishly, I wish she was still here. I want to share my joys and concerns with her and pray with her. I feel bad because my little cousins didn't get very much time with her and I had 21 years! I have so many great memories with her and I am lucky enough to have those.

My grandma LOVED Disneyland. She even marched in one of the opening parades in 1955. My two favorite memories of my grandma at Disneyland are going on the rides with her and the flowers. It didn't matter how fast, slow, scary or intense the ride was, my grandma laughed the entire time. It was contagious. We would go on Space Mountain and she would just laugh and giggle the entire ride. And then there were the flowers. My grandma loved flowers, especially the ones at Disneyland. We would all be talking about what ride we wanted to go on and grandma would be smelling the flowers. Every time I am there now, I make sure to look at all of the flowers.

My grandma also loved angels. I think I bought her an angel figurine every Christmas and birthday. The best part about that is that I know she is a guardian angel for me now. She gives me hope each day and I know she is having a wonderful time with her.

I dedicate this month's donation to my Grandma Nancy. I love her and I miss her, but I know that I am a better person because I knew her and she is the reason I am who I am today.

My family and I decided that every year on my grandma's birthday (Dec. 2) we would celebrate. Preferably together, but our lives are so crazy that it doesn't happen too often. Most of the time, when we are together, we go to Disneyland. Tomorrow, my family and I are going to the wonderful Club 33 (we know someone with a membership) at Disneyland in honor of my grandma's birthday. We are going to get a candle and sing happy birthday, but most importantly, I will make sure I take the time to look at the flowers.

Charity of Choice - January

I'm a day late, but I have started my 2012 project by donating to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I'm so excited for this project and thank you to everyone who is supporting me!

I've decided that on the first day of the month (hopefully the day I make a donation), I will post my "charity of choice." For the rest of the month, I will blog about why I have chosen the charity, what they are doing to spread hope and what you can do.

Thank you everyone again for your support and love. I couldn't do it without you.

2012 is going to be absolutely amazing!