Today we welcome Molly Gold, of Go Mom, Inc.  She’ll be Racing For The Cure this Saturday and I asked her to share her story with us…

By Molly Gold

www.gomominc.com

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, I am running the North Carolina Susan B. Komen® Race for the Cure because…

My Mother is a survivor and I’m so relieved she tested negative for Brac 1 and 2.

My Aunt has had breast cancer twice spanning 25 years.

My Grandmother passed away in her 50’s of ovarian cancer.

I had my first mammogram at 34 and I’m over being in the high risk category.

I have a neighbor who passed away this winter after a long battle and her children are my children’s ages.

I can count 5 people I know on one hand who have had breast cancer in the last year.

1 in 9 women will fight this disease in her lifetime and I don’t want to be part of that sisterhood.

I am running because my friend Krista Colvin has breast cancer and she’s going to win.

As you all know, Krista is the ultimate gal pal.  She’s sassy and fun, smart and caring, she’s that girlfriend that you wouldn’t dare miss a girl’s night out with and you’d give your right arm for.  Or your right breast.  She is bold and brave, not one to shy away from anything, and an educator in her heart.    I live on the other side of the country, have never met her in real life, and know in my heart she’s my kind, that instant connection that makes you know that you know that you know you are meant to share the sisterhood.

When Krista shared the news of her diagnosis, I was mad, devastated for her, and sadly, I’m embarrassed to say so selfishly terrified for myself.  What did it mean if a woman so vibrant and true could randomly, without a family history like mine that screams warning signals, while doing those monthly exams most of the time along with yearly mammograms still be challenged to fight stage 3 aggressive breast cancer?  What if I ever hear that terrible news?

Because of Krista, I have realized that I can’t live in fear that I might get breast cancer.  In fact I have to recognize that when your world is wide as today’s can be thanks to Face Book, Twitter, and just being the social butterfly that I am, I am going to hear about breast cancer, and frankly lots of other scary things, a lot.  And you know what?  I can’t worry about what if…not when it comes to breast cancer, H1N1, or any other terrible unexpected threat to our lives.  We can’t anticipate that and will miss out on this precious life right here in front of us if that’s where we focus our energy.

But when I hear about a newly diagnosed patient or learn of their most recent battle, that’s my chance to help.  That’s my chance to pray for people I know and I don’t,  to get out in my local community and raise money for women hear and all over the country, including out in Camas, Washington where my sweet friend is making such a huge difference sharing her story publicly every step of the way.  Krista is using her relationships in the local media to educate women just like you and me about what breast cancer really looks like.

Social Media makes the world a much smaller place and it’s because of the wonderful network of people there that I’m honored to be part of Team Colvin.  Sponsored by Hanes Comfort and organized by my friend, Malise Terrell, Carolina Mama, we have an AWESOME chance to work together to raise money and awareness for breast cancer everywhere.   The local North Carolina Blogging Community is coming out to work together and we’d love your support so check us out! Thank you!