Happy Valentine's Day

[Guest guest]

This Valentine's Day, I have decided to give my children a unique gift. I

have decided to participate in a very special event in the fight against

breast

cancer, called the Avon Breast Cancer 3-Day.

This year alone, 180,000 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. More

than

40,000 of them will die from it. It does not discriminate between women who

have CMT and those who do not.

So from May 5 thru May 7, more than 2000 men and women will walk over 60

miles to raise money for women undergoing treatment for breast cancer and

for

the research that someday might cure it. Not only will I walk for three

days over

the very hilly route from Frederick to Washington,DC, but I have committed

to

raise at least $1800 in pledges by April 1.

Why? Because of her CMT, my daughter cannot walk three blocks, much less

than for three days. And, I feel we are closer to curing or preventing

breast cancer

than we are to a cure for CMT.

Anyway, I got to thinking that there are many women out there who cannot

participate in this event because of their CMT. If you are one, and you

would like

to support me with a tax deductible contribution, please contact me

directly at

ranagan@.... Or, you may want to check out the official breast cancer

website at www.breastcancer3-day.org.

If you can't support me because you are on SSI or you are unable to work

full-time because of your CMT, then this one is on me. Part of the proceeds

from

this march will be used to provide screening and support for low-income and

underserved women.

Women with CMT are not immune to breast cancer,heart disease, pneumonia and

a wide range of other diseases. Some of you may not be that mobile. Others

of you

have become discouraged from dealing with doctors who don't take your CMT

seriously. But, please, go in for those annual check-ups, and take care of

yourself.

It is the best Valentine's Day gift you can give.

Barbara

#3115