You see, this year someone Grams knows lost her life to breast cancer. She was a beautiful, fun-loving, talented, caring woman who dedicated her life to her family, to the education of young children, and to mentoring young teachers. She was about the same age as me and her daughters went to school with my kids. She fought a long and hard battle, but ultimately she lost the fight. The entire community was moved by her struggle and devastated by losing her. Martha won't be there to hold her first grandchild when it's born in a few months. I joined for Martha.
And right now, someone I know is actively involved in the battle against breast cancer. She's a member of my book club. She is also a beautiful talented woman. I don't know her well, she's only been in the club a couple of months. She shares Grams' passion for reading. Her smile lights up the room. Sometimes she has chemo on the same day she comes to book club. Sometimes she doesn't feel like eating and she can't have a glass of wine, but she shows up and participates. I love seeing Becky every month at book club and I love her smile and positive attitude. I joined for Becky, too.
The Army of Women is an opportunity for women and men to take part in breast cancer research studies aimed at determining the causes of breast cancer–and how to prevent it. This is a groundbreaking initiative that connects breast cancer researchers via the internet with women who are willing to participate in a wide variety of research studies. The goal of the Army of Women is to recruit ONE MILLION MEN AND WOMEN of all ages and ethnicities, including breast cancer survivors and those who have never had breast cancer.
Signing up for the Army of Women does NOT automatically enlist you in any research project. What it does is put you on an eblast mailing list for notification of studies. When you get an email, you respond yes or no to let the Army of Women know whether you qualify for a particular study and whether you are interested and able to participate in that study. Participation is ALWAYS VOLUNTARY. Just because you join the Army of Women doesn't mean you'll be in a research study.
Studies will require a variety of different things. Participation in a study may be as simple as filling out an online questionnaire or you may be asked for a blood sample. It all varies according to the study. Joining the Army of Women is free. It doesn't cost you anything and there's no charge when and if you participate in a study. This is an opportunity for women to help find the cause of breast cancer. The goal is to PREVENT breast cancer not just to cure it.
Now, Grams is asking you to join the Army of Women too. Sign Up Today. I joined for Martha and Becky. I also joined for my daughter and for Our Little Princess. Who will you join for?
After you sign up (or if you're already a member) you can also help recruit more members. Use this ‘invite a friend’ link to ask them to join.
You can also help by passing the word. On Oct 1 please post this following update to your Facebook status; “I signed up to STOP breast cancer before it STARTS. Have you? Join today at www.armyofwomen.com, then copy and paste this status update as your own”.
And, men, did you catch that you can join the Love/Avon Army of Women? That's right, you can and you should. As a matter of fact ... all men who love boobies should join. And we all know you all love the boobies!
