As the Director of Development at the Illinois office of Breast Cancer Network of Strength, I see every day the many positive ways the organization touches the lives of those living with breast cancer. The Illinois office supports over 25 Support Groups, education programs for adults and teens, the Sharon Miller Wig and Prosthesis Salon (which became mobile this year and provides wigs and prosthetics to women in hospitals as they receive treatment), A Day For You (a program that helps eliminate the many barriers women face in obtaining breast cancer screenings), a powerful advocacy network that works to support policies that positively impact those facing breast cancer, and the Gerry Weinberg Resource Library that loans books, pamphlets, videos and audio cassettes to people throughout the state of Illinois. We also have an awarded winning program called Just For Teens in which breast cancer survivors talk to high school senior girls about breast cancer awareness and the importance of early detection.

Having had several friends struggle with breast cancer, I know how valuable all these services are. Research is vitally important and I truly hope that some day I will not need to raise funds for Network of Strength - because there will be a cure and our services will no longer be needed! Until that happens, we need to continue to be there for those who cannot wait for tomorrow's cure.

Because I believe so much in the work this organization does, I decided to join the Pink Streak Team and train for my first marathon - the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 12, 2008. I always said I would NEVER run a marathon, but here I am!!!

Please help me support Network of Strength so that breast cancer patients and their families can continue to have access to our free services! No gift is too small!

Thank you!