Town of Braintree

Alyssa's Page

What I am doing & why...

From May - October, I am participating in all six of the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer Events. The funds raised will go to the AVON Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. It is their mission to provide access to care & to work towards discovering a cure by providing funds for medical research, clinical care, support services, educational seminars, & community-based early detection breast health programs.

My commitments to this cause:
-Raise awareness about this devastating disease.
-Raise at least $10,800.
-Walk the distance of 6 marathons in cities across the U.S.

With the American Cancer Society & the National Cancer Institute reporting the following statistics, how can we as a community afford to be still?
* Breast Cancer kills approximately 1 woman every 14 minutes.
* Men are victims too. 400 men a year die of Breast Cancer.
These are the startling statistics that should move us as a society.

And for those people that don't believe that they can make a difference...
* In 2003, 10,482 participants nationwide raised $26.7 million.

I am so passionate about eradicating this disease that The AVON Foundation has asked me to become an AVON Walk for Breast Cancer - 2004 Media Spokesperson. This cause is important to me because too many of my loved ones have been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.
I don't remember when my great-grandmother, Cora was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, I was too young to recall. My Nana had to undergo a mastectomy to try to rid her body of cancer. I will always remember her strength, her courage & her Spanish Bars!
My close friend, Cheryl, was recently diagnosed with Breast Cancer at age 32. I met Cheryl at a parenting group when our daughters were only a few weeks old. Since Cheryl's mastectomy in January, she has found out that her Breast Cancer has invaded her lymph nodes. Her doctors have labeled her cancer as Aggressive. Cheryl has started Chemotherapy & a radiation regimen will soon follow. Recently, Cheryl told me that what makes her the most upset is that her 3 year old daughter will see her so sick. My wish for Cheryl is that she always maintain her good sense of humor & that she draws from the encouragement, love & hope that surrounds her. In an ill twist of irony, Cheryl's mother-in-law, Carol, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer on 2/25/04. My prayers and thoughts are with Jamie as his mother & wife fight to free themselves from the sickening grip of Breast Cancer.

It is for Nana, Cheryl, Carol, Jamie and all of the Breast Cancer Survivors, Crusaders and their families that I have made this important commitment to support the mission of providing access to care & finding a cure.

What you can do...

It isn't often in life that we are given the opportunity to have a direct impact on a circumstance that oppresses us or a loved one. The AVON Foundation has given the Crusaders a vehicle in which to fight back. I urge you to grab a comfortable pair of sneakers and help stomp out Breast Cancer one step at a time. - I'll trade a tumor for a blister any day.

Even if you can't participate in the Walks, there are other ways you can help...

- You can make a donation in ANY amount. Whether it is; five dollars, fifty dollars or $5,000, anything you can give WILL help to save lives. When you make a donation, your name or your organization or business name will be added to a scrolling list of donors on my Walk Web Page. This is a great way to advertise and to let your friends, family & customers know that you care about this important societal issue.

You can make a donation in two different ways:

1. You can make a donation to my fund-raising campaign right here on the website by clicking on "Click here to Support Me."

2. If you prefer to write a check, please call me with your address and I will send you an AVON Walk for Breast Cancer Donation Coupon in the mail. (508-208-9316)
- I also need donations for my transportation & lodging expenses for D.C., Chicago, S. F., L. A., and N. Y. Please call me if you are able to donate any of these services or money towards these expenses. (508-208-9316)

- You can donate goods, services or gift certificates to be used for fund-raising purposes (silent auction, raffle, etc). 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer.

- You can post a link for My Personal Walk Page on your personal, organization or business website. This will allow more people to have access to this great cause in a non-intrusive way. And you are showing your support for Breast Cancer Awareness.

- You can forward this link to friends, family, co-workers & customers. You may not even be aware of the impact that Breast Cancer has had on their lives. Empower them with the opportunity to make a difference and share in the vision of finding a cure. They'll thank you for it.

Over the next several months, I will update this page frequently so that my supporters can follow the progress of Cheryl, and her family, and myself. So, please visit often.

The $2,000 T-Shirt: by Alyssa Keene

I have collected signatures and well wishes on my official AVON Walk for Breast Cancer 2004 T-Shirt. Everyone that has sponsored me has written a short but thoughtful message in black or pink fabric ink. Seems silly doesn't it? Well, it will all make sense after you read this...

My shirt is covered with words of encouragement and inspiration; uplifting messages from which to look down to and reflect upon as the blisters form and the muscles cramp. The words like wings of hope lifting me from my pain:

"May you walk with spirit in your step." Love, Barbara

"God Speed!" Rebecca

"Love and wishes every step of the way!" Brenda & Joe

These words are not just for me. These words are for the Crusaders and Survivors from whom we draw courage and strength. This Walk is not just about a road. It is a paralleled journey faced by many;
long, winding, and seemingly endless. I'm not just walking for me. I walk for the daughters and mothers; the sisters and aunts; the grandmothers and cousins; and the friends of us all.

This T-Shirt is not your ordinary T-Shirt. It's the $2,000 T-Shirt. (Sweat and tears included)

And when I cross that Boston finish line on May 16th, I know Cheryl will be there waiting for me. And when I get there, I'm going to give her my $2,000 T-shirt because she earned it right along with me!

Email us
AlyssaKeene@Comcast.net

Links

AVON Walk for Breast Cancer