Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you must stop and look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do”
— Maya Angelou

 
Today, I “made strides” against breast cancer. I walked in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Prospect Park. Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is a non-competitive walking event that takes place in communities across the United States every year. The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk unites communities to celebrate people who have battled breast cancer, educate people about ways to reduce their risk, and empower communities to join the fight. Every dollar raised and every step taken save lives by helping people stay well and get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back against breast cancer. Since 1993, nearly 7 million walkers have raised more than $400 million. In 2010 alone, more than 800,000 walkers across the country collected $60 million to save lives from breast cancer.

Today, I felt immense pride to be a part of such and important event… an event that is aimed at raising awareness, funding research and supporting the survivors of this disease. Today, I walked alongside courageous breast cancer survivors, and their supporters. These women, survivors, are the reasons I left my Park Avenue practice to return to Brooklyn, where I was raised and still reside. These women have become so much more than patients to me. They have become my role models, my friends, and my extended family. They have taught me how to be strong in the face of adversity. They have taught me how to face life’s challenges with dignity and grace. They have taught me how treasure every moment of every day. These women have shown me how to love, how to laugh and how to live. I am eternally grateful to each and every one of them. I continue to receive far more from them than I could ever give.

Today, I “made strides” for the survivors, for the departed, and for myself.  I will continue to “make strides” until all women are educated about this disease. I will continue to “make strides” until a cure is found.