May 3rd: Open Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to share with you that I have decided to participate again in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. The 2006 New York City walk will take place on October 7th & 8th. I participated in the walk for the first time in 2004, and it was one of the most amazing, difficult, and touching experiences of my life. I walked among thousands of people in the heart of New York City, beside those who lost their mothers, daughters, and wives. I walked next to people with pictures of their lost loved ones taped to their backs, women who were still undergoing chemotherapy, and those who wore the proud and defiant badge of "Survivor". Words can not express the feeling of being a part of something so special and so important. I am thrilled and excited to walk for breast cancer again!

Did you know that every three minutes, another woman in the United States is diagnosed with breast cancer? That is one in every eight women! When I first decided to commit to this cause 2 years ago, I was shocked to learn how prevalent this horrible disease has become in this country.

I am walking to honor my best friend's mother..and really my second mother, who passed away from this disease in January 2004 after a nine year battle. Her name was Janet and she was only 53 years old. She left behind two sisters, two loving daughters and an amazing husband, who are still deeply affected by her loss. This has touched us all very closely, as you never think it will happen to someone so young or close to you. Because of this, it is in her name I will be walking these two days.

I will walk the distance of a marathon and a half (39.3 miles), and speaking from experience, it is a VERY long walk. I will spend the next several months training, fundraising, and preparing for the event. When I first decided to participate in the event in 2004, I knew that it would be one of the biggest challenges I would ever taken on, and I was right. I am very excited about doing it again because I know it will make a real difference to the cause as well as to the millions of people affected by breast cancer. I was able to witness over 7 million dollars being distributed to local hospitals and research facilities during the closing ceremonies. We were actually able to watch as our efforts made a difference.

With less than 160 days until the event, I have my work cut out for me. I have set my expectations very high, hoping to meet or break my fundraising goal of $5,000 from 2004. Please help to support the breast cancer cause, by making a contribution to my efforts.

Your contribution will help to support medical research into the possible causes of and cure for breast cancer, education and early detection programs, and clinical care and support services for women with breast cancer in communities across the country. There is a special focus on helping medically underserved women, the poor, minorities, the elderly, or those with inadequate health insurance. And much of the money granted by the Foundation goes back to the communities where it was raised, supporting everything from local grassroots programs to national organizations.

If you would like to make a donation now, you can click here and donate online, or contact me for information about sending a check. Your donation is tax deductible as long as you pay via your own credit card or via personal check.

If you just can't make that donation right now, I understand. Moral support is just as important. I will hear your encouraging words in my head-especially when I hit mile 20 on Oct 7th and am having a really hard time getting to 26.2 :)

You really do make a difference. Whatever you can give will help! I truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on my progress.

-"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." -Eleanor Roosevelt

All my best,

Sheryl Jennings