#538 Beth Caldwell is a Super Hero

Long Lake--dedicated to Beth Caldwell on August 19

There are no words I can describe on how I am feeling tonight after reading Beth Caldwell's latest blog.  Rob and I met this incredible woman in Seattle after I had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.  Our advocacy work was in its infancy and we were looking for ideas on what to do with our energy to make this disease a priority in the breast cancer community.  We listened and learned.

Beth was fierce, direct and I sat in awe of her knowledge and her passion.  Her "take charge" attitude was evident that day but didn't realize until later of her numerous accomplishments with her civil rights work along with her cancer work.  In our brief meeting I learned how important it is to advocate for myself, question cancer organizations' funding and search for the truth in giving.  She was unstoppable and that is the one lesson I will remember and continue to emulate as long as I am physically able to do so.

Grab the kleenex box and read her latest blog--but don't stop there.  Work backwards through the other entries.  I guarantee you will thank your lucky stars she has been in our corner as a hero to not only the mets community but to anyone else who needed support.  Cult of Perfect Motherhood by Beth Caldwell

Comfort and love across the airwaves to her and her beloved family.  It just isn't fair--GDMFSOBS! (My best combination of swear words I shared with her).

Tomorrow, instead of buying your overpriced latte (or whatever you drink), send a donation in honor of one hell of a woman.  Either donate to UW Carbone Cancer Center , Metavivor or Fred Hutch.

Thanks for reading #538 of 7777.

#499 Hanging on For You

Hanging on for these three plus three more!

I'm hurting. I'm angry. I'm fed up with this whole cancer "journey".  Who would decide to go on a trip like this for crying out loud?  It's the pits.

There--that rant is over and now it's time to focus on what to do about it. 

  If you have already taken out your wallets, thank you.  Now, don't go away yet.  Get ten (or more) people to donate by the end of the year.  Ask them to share their holiday gift giving with those of us who might not make it to the next one.  If your ten (plus) friends could donate ten dollars (or more) and then those ten (+) friends had ten (+) more friends...well, you get the picture.  This could be monumental!  And you would be part of it.  Helping the MBC community celebrate because research is working for us.

How can you do that?  The explanation below explains the new direction of our who, what and why  intentions.  Rewrite it in your own words and send it out in a mass email to your friends.  Tell them about your buddy Mary; or Megan or Kelli or Beth --someone you know living with this disease.  Tell them we are trying to save my daughter and grand daughter or theirs.  Tell them we need their help TODAY.  Tell them we can not wait for another holiday season to go by without a cure.  Tell them time is running out for many of us.  Please, just tell them...

To our Friends,

Our intent in raising funds has been to support the best research that can create drugs and treatments for the metastatic breast cancer patient. The goal has always been to increase the precious time we have with loved ones.

We are pleased to announce a collaboration of One Woman Many Lakes with the breast cancer research group at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center. UW Carbone is nationally recognized as a leader in research that translates to specific drugs and treatments for those living with MBC.

A fund specifically for MBC research (called More for Stage IV) has been set up at the UW Foundation. Our goal is to raise at least $50,000 by the end of the year to award a fellowship in the breast cancer research field for a year. This is a highly tangible way to develop the next generation of metastatic breast cancer researchers.
All donations received by December 31 will be matched! Click the DONATE button on www.onewomanmanylakes.org and give those with MBC more time. 

It's in your ball park now.  We are tired, hurting and trying to hang on, so please, show us we are worth it.

Thanks for reading # 499 of 7777.

#489 Don't Miss This Opportunity!

Die In 2015

Put this on your calendar today!  A Die In in support of those living with Metastatic Breast Cancer--Thursday, October 13 at 11:45--Madison State Capitol steps on the State Street side.  

113 people "dying" on the Capitol steps will show legislators, cancer organizations and the public that stage IV needs more. Let's get 500 people to show up; and maybe, just maybe, someone who could make a difference for us will take notice.  Please help spread the word and share, share, share.

Not in the area but still want to help?  On that day, go to my One Woman Many Lakes Facebook page and click the link to send a message to NCI for more funding for metastatic breast cancer.  It's easy and you could be saving lives--a pretty impressive email from your little old phone.

Thank you, Tiger Lily, for advertising our Die In event on your webpage.  Click here to see their latest blog-- Go To The Die In and more information about October 13th.

As always, go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org to find out more on how to help keep us metsters alive.

Thanks for reading #489 of 7777.

#482 Maggie Younggren--We Will Remember You

Maggie's speech at the die-in October 13, 2015

Please watch.  I could not say it any better than Maggie Younggren on why we must keep pushing for more research for stage iv metastatic breast cancer.  Maggie, you will be missed but your legacy lives on with your advocacy of fighting for more funding.  We will be champions for your daughters so they will live in a cancer free world.

Go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org to help Maggie's wish come true--"Let's change this disease from terminal to chronic..." We owe it to her and the 113 who will die today.  Never forget.

Thanks for reading #482 of 7777.

#464 I HATE CANCER, But YOU Can Help

More time to climb mountains with this guy.

It's Mets Monday and I wish I could give a glowing report on how life is like for the metster community--that we are all well and thriving.  Unfortunately as I write this, 113 will die today as they did yesterday and will tomorrow.  It's the same old story but this week seems to be more difficult  after hearing about the loss of many young Facebook friends and the spiraling decline of others. For every positive report  of being NED or good blood counts there are too many others losing their lives.  HATE +*&^^ CANCER.

What can you do to help?  Go to my web page, write letters (templates included), donate and share with others the facts about metastatic breast cancer.  Get the word out that we are not dead yet and we want to continue to thrive as long as we can.  Time is what we need and that translates into medical research to give us hope.

The last weekend in April Rob and I will travel to Washington DC and meet with legislators about the lack of funding for MBC.  To have the ear of the senators and representatives from our district for a short time will hopefully render their understanding of this disease and get their support for the much needed research money.

Go to www.onewomanmanylakes.org to give us more time with our families---and pass this on.

Support the metastatic community by going to  White House Petition--

Add metastasis research as a specific goal of the Cancer Moonshot

 It takes a nanosecond to sign and could save our lives.  Please, please pass this important piece of information on to others.

Thanks for reading #464 of 7777.