When my wife Nancy was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer in 1998, we were frightened, confused and overwhelmed. Fortunately, that was when Support Connection entered our life.  For the three years Nancy courageously battled her disease, Support Connection was an incredible and invaluable resource to her, to me and our family.  As much as the medical team kept Nancy going, it was the women she met at Support Connection - the staff, the counselors and, most importantly, those women waging their own personal battle against breast and ovarian cancer - that gave us hope. It was there, and with them, that Nancy could share her inner-most fears and concerns - subjects she could not  even discuss with me.  Looking back, hope was the most important gift we received from Support Connection, because it was that hope that sustained and motivated Nancy to fight so courageously, whether the medical news was encouraging or depressing.

In the eight years since her death, Support Connection remains an essential part of my life and my memories of Nancy. I was honored to be asked to join the Board of the organization a few years ago, and gratefully serve in her memory, as well as out of respect and admiration for the many other brave women I have met with breast and ovarian cancer.

October is recognized as "Breast Cancer Awareness Month," and, in recognition, Support Connection will conduct our 15th annual "Support-A-Walk" on Sunday October 4th at FDR Park in Yorktown Heights, NY  (additional details are available at our website www.supportconnection.org). This event is the major souce of funding for Support Connection, allowing us to offer our free and confidential emotional, social and educational support services to women battling breast and ovarian cancer. Through these efforts, we enable and empower them to make the most informed choices they can about their medical treatment plan and future. I will never forget Nancy telling me that although she had cancer, "cancer does not have me!" Over the years, the meaning of her statement has become very clear to me - "Even though I have breast (or ovarian) cancer, I still need to live and enjoy life...and I must continue to be a wife, mother, daughter, sister, companion to my loved ones and all who depend on me."

In the last year, few of us, I am sure, have escaped the problems associated with our current economy; but, more of us, hopefully, have been spared the horror and dread associated with losing  a family member, or friend, to breast or ovarian cancer. The need and demand for the services provided by Support Connection does not diminish because we are in  a recession.  Given the rising rates of breast and ovarian cancer, sadly, it only increases. I recognize it is a miserable time to be asking anyone for  charitable donations... but I am going to do it anyway, and ask you to consider making a contribution to Support Connection. No one person will get us to our goal, but a lot of people, giving whatever they can, will! The success of our fundraising has always been the result of many small donations.  Consider giving $15 to mark the 15th anniversary of our "Support-A-Walk" and consider sharing this appeal with 15 of your personal contacts, who might be interested in contributing to Support Connection. Our donors have many different reasons for supporting us. Perhaps they have a loved one now battling breast - ovarian cancer and they give in her honor; or, in memory of someone whose battle is over; or, out of gratitude that, so far, family and friends have not been ravaged by this disease. Whatever your reason or motivation, I - and Nancy - sincerely appreciate your generosity. Thank you for visiting my fund-raising page!!

Gratefully,

Mike