113 People Die Every Day. Will You Be Next?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Valpak but all opinions expressed here are mine.

113 people die every day. Will you be next?

Run, run, run, run, one foot in front of the other. Thump, Bump, thump, breathe, exhale, grab breathe, one more mile. We can do this. We can do this together. You see with each step, each breath, each mile, you are becoming part of the change and hopefully the cure. How important is your involvement?

The question is how can you not be involved. Did you know that 1 in 8 woman gets breast cancer?

My breast cancer story starts like this.

The phone rang. I pushed end call. I didn’t have time to answer the phone. Don’t people know to text? The phone rang again. I looked at the name. I pushed voicemail. I went finished making dinner. The phone rang again the same caller. I answered. That call changed everything.

The voice on the other line was small. It was quiet it was using words but not in the right order. I looked back at the phone to see if the caller was the person I knew. The crazy, funny, hilarious, take on the world girl that I have known for a lifetime. It wasn’t, but on that day it wasn’t. It was a voice saying words I didn’t understand words I didn’t want to understand. Sentences that started with Cancer.

I have never been so scared in my life, but I had to be strong. I just listened. Then this voice took over my mouth and words like we got this. We can beat this. We will accomplish this together just like we have walked down ever path together we will rise above this one. There wasn’t anything that could stop us then or now.

That night I got off the phone, and I had two choices cry or plan for a revolution. I planned the best revolution ever. I was going to be the most supportive friend on Earth.

I watched my friend lose her sparkle. I watched as the magic danced out of her. I listened as she cried. I tried to focus as you went over her list of medicine. I didn’t interrupt her once. I just listened and when she was done being angry or too tired to continue to shout. I let the silence linger between us and I would say. I love you and you can do this. I do not care if you have a wig on your head, in fact, this solves your dilemma of what color to dye your hair and honestly now you do not have to blow dry. When you complained about weight loss I reminded you that you used to go to the gym for hours a week now you can sit on your butt and watch Tv. I reminded you that you became a card shark during those days at the hospital. When you cried about how awful this must be for your husband. I reminded you that you too would stay beside him during hard times. You would be the first to wipe away his tears. You would survive and you would kick cancers butt because there wasn’t another choice. All your dream would come true you just had to be strong.

I made you laugh so I would cry in front of you. I made your day no matter what was going on in mine because that is what you needed. I fed your soul like you have spent so many years filling mine. I fought for you. I will continue to fight for every woman.

I will ask women, men, children around our country to rise up together to put one foot in front of the other with the same grit and determination that you showed. I will ask that they not only arrive but they give it their all because a cure is near.

Valpak has partnered with Susan G. Komen foundation in fighting against breast cancer. They share in the vision of a world without breast cancer. This is to support women and men who have or will develop breast cancer in their lifetime and their loved ones and families.

Susan G. Komen®’s mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

In 2016, Susan G. Komen® announced a Bold Goal—to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the U.S. by 2026. That’s why every bit of help is needed to make this a reality.

To support this Valpak will turn its Blue Envelope pink this October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month while also working to raise local awareness within the communities that they serve and funds in support of the fight to end breast cancer.

Go here to donate today to help fight breast cancer!

Aside from donating, you can show your support by participating in Komen events such as the “Race For The Cure,” you can check out their schedule here. Susan G. Komen has created an exclusive $5 off registration promo code. Just use code DealPro during event registration.

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series is the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer ever created. The series of 5K runs and fitness walks raises significant funds and awareness for the breast cancer movement, celebrates breast cancer survivorship and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. The Komen Race Series welcomes people of all ages and fitness levels, from walkers to elite runners.

Valpak’s pink envelope will also highlight celebrity chef Sandra Lee, a breast cancer survivor and advocate for women’s health, as a “More Than Pink® Hero.” To support this Valpak is hosting sweepstakes sponsored by KitchenAid. 25 winners will receive pink appliances in support of Cook for the Cure®.

To join, go to valpak.com/komen and nominate your “More Than Pink” hero who has taken action in the fight against breast cancer. Pink is more than just a color; it represents the impact that each person is making in the fight against breast cancer. This impact makes you More Than Pink®.

Throughout the month of October, Valpak will share the submitted stories and 25 lucky winners will each receive a set of pink KitchenAid appliances in support of Cook for the Cure®. The set includes a stand mixer, blender, 2-speed hand blender and a 5-speed hand mixer with a total retail value of over $800. The nationwide October Valpak envelope will also feature a special surprise for 500 lucky recipients, who will instantly win an immersion blender courtesy of KitchenAid by looking through their pink Valpak envelopes and finding a die-cut certificate shaped like an immersion blender.