Daughter’s Love for Mother Spurs Action

Julia Bacon & Mother
In honor of Women’s History Month, MBCC summer 2013 Senior Intern Julia Bacon would like to share a compelling story about her mother, to whom she dedicates her work to build MBCC’s Against the Tide events.

Please join us in celebrating inspirational women this month by posting a story or quote about your own female role model on the MBCC Facebook page.

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Dear MBCC Supporters,


I am positive that most people know or have known someone with breast cancer. For me, breast cancer is a very real and scary disease, and it rocked my family’s life when I was a junior in high school. My mother was diagnosed with severe invasive lobular breast cancer. The doctors had caught it at a serious stage and proceeded with several operations to remove the cancer. That summer, I had to watch my mother go to radiation appointments every morning. She was scared, tired, and sick — characteristics I had rarely seen in such an amazing and strong woman. Four years later, she is still on medication, which makes her fatigued but cancer-free. However, the lingering concern is always in my mind, and the thought of losing my mom and best friend will always be there.

Personally having a loved one touched by this disease, I certainly care about doing everything in my power to prevent future diagnoses. I am writing to you to request your support as well as spread the word about the Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition (MBCC). I am currently the Special Events and Outreach Senior Intern for this organization, and being a part of MBCC is truly a privilege especially, because of the organization’s mission to prevent the disease.

One of my proudest moments was when the Executive Director, Cheryl Osimo, invited me to do a feature story for the organization, and she provided a quote that said, “I knew from the first conversation I had with Julia that drive and dedication would bring passion and true caring to help us toward our goal of breast cancer prevention. We are honored to be working with this young and brilliant Stonehill College scholar.”

If my mom were the only reason for my passion for breast cancer prevention and MBCC, it would be enough. As a junior Health Care Administration major and Spanish minor at Stonehill College, I know how important this organization is for breast cancer. MBCC seeks answers to what is causing the disease through environmental research and advocacy. As a Massachusetts resident, it is important to note that the Massachusetts breast cancer incidence rate is over 5% higher than the national average and the Cape Cod incidence rate is approximately 22% above the national average, making me feel even more urgency toward MBCC’s mission.

I am reaching out to each and every one of you to participate in this statewide Against the Tide event DCR’s Hopkinton State Park on June 22nd in Hopkinton, MA (20 miles from Worcester, 30 miles from Boston) and/or at DCR’s Nickerson State Park on August 17th in Brewster, MA (Cape Cod). Against the Tide consists of your choice of one or more: competitive or recreational 1-mile swim, 2-mile kayak, 3-walk, 5K run or 10K run components. This inspirational statewide event can put an end to the pain future diagnoses and help prevent the tragedy of breast cancer in your family.


Please consider my story, and join my Against the Tide team for breast cancer prevention or make a pledge on my Against the Tide fundraising page:

www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/JuliaBacon

 

Sincerely,

Julia Bacon

603-978-5530

www.mbcc.org/swim