Why I started the Firefly Fund:

In the years since I lost my mom to breast cancer, I have been touched by the disease many more times. More relatives, more friends have faced the terrible diagnosis. Like so many women, I have spent my lifetime being on the lookout for danger signs. I do my self-exams and have my yearly mammograms. I do everything I’m supposed to do.

That’s why IBC, inflammatory breast cancer, is so frightening. It presents in sly and unexpected ways. Often family physicians overlook or misdiagnose the symptoms—and we all know that with cancer, timing is everything. So I want to urge women to add the IBC warning signs to their list of symptoms to look for. For more information, I urge you to check out the Susan G Komen website also.

In 2008, I joined with breast cancer survivor Trish May in the fight against breast cancer, and the Firefly Fund was born. Thanks to many, many of my readers, we raised a substantial amount of money. These donations were presented to the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to help fund their mobile mammography van. I can guarantee you, it made a difference in someone’s life.

That’s the point, after all. I believe we CAN make a difference. That’s the reason I started the Firefly Fund. It’s my way of giving back. I’m sure you each have found your own way of being the change you want to be, and I salute you. Keep reaching out, keep helping people. Together, as women, we can make the choice to be a part of the solution. We can make a difference.

The Tribute Wall :

In the past year, the conversation on my blog has often turned to discussions about sick friends or relatives. We found ourselves praying for each other, and it made me think of my mom and how much I missed her. And it occurred to me that I wanted to see her name somewhere. Just that. I wanted to see her name in print and say how much I missed her. That’s how the Tribute Wall was born. It’s in memory of my mom and dedicated to my friends and family who have had their lives impacted by breast cancer---Toni, Leslie, Ann P., Ann M., Anna, and Stephanie.

It’s a place where you can simply list the name of someone you loved and lost to breast cancer; where you can say a little something about them. It’s a powerful combination---words and remembrances. I hope it will remind us all to help each other in the fight against breast cancer. I invite you to join me by listing your loved one…