Many years ago, there was a strange occurrence in my family. In the same year, my mother, Irma and her two sisters (my Aunt Dot and my Aunt Elwynne) all were stricken with breast cancer. My sister, Cheryl and my cousin Sonia also have suffered from breast cancer. The good news is that all five of these women in my life were breast cancer survivors.

Because of today’s awareness and the giving hearts of people across this country, more and more women are living long, productive lives after being diagnosed with breast cancer. My mom and her two sisters were three of these women who remained part of our family long after their diagnosis and treatment.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s a time when I remember what the advancements in breast cancer treatment have done for me. It gave me many more years with my Mom, and it has let me continue to this day to enjoy time with my sister Cheryl and my cousin, Sonia.

I still have many women in my immediate family…my wife Patsy, my daughter Sandy, my daughter-in-law Jennifer and my granddaughter, Emma. If breast cancer strikes any of them, I want to know that I have done everything I could do to help them fight it. That’s why I am asking for your contribution to the “Real Men Wear Pink” campaign to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. It only takes a few dollars from each of us to make a real difference.

Remember, if you don’t know anyone that has had breast cancer, you probably will.

Thank you for your contribution.