Volunteer Extraordinaire Issues Mother’s Day Challenge

Why is the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation important to me?

Because my life has been touched by breast cancer several times. Through my own journey, I have met many wonderful women and men that have been impacted by this disease.  And while I am truly grateful for the advances that have been made, too many of my friends have lost their battle. And, too many continue to fight today with metastatic disease

May 2019 – a month of joy, but also much sadness for me.  Joy, as I am getting married this month after being a widow for nine years.

But sadness, as Mother’s Day 1976 is a bittersweet memory.  My Mother, Beverly Orlando, lost her three year battle with breast cancer the next day.  She was only 51. For three years she fought her battle, which included disabling lymphedema. Her treatment choices were few and little information was available. Breast Cancer was a secret not to be shared outside the immediate circle of family and friends.

I have been diagnosed twice with Stage II breast cancer; once in 1995 and again in 2007.  I am fortunate because in both cases there has been no indication of metastasis. But I had so many more options than my Mom in all areas of my treatment; surgical, radiation, chemotherapy, support and INFORMATION.  

I joined VBCF in 1996 because I wanted to have my voice heard that research had to continue, that accurate information was available for all and that anyone diagnosed with Breast Cancer was able to receive affordable, effective treatment.  VBCF provided me these opportunities and much more.

In memory of my Mother, I want to help VBCF continue in their mission to EDUCATE, ADVOCATE, ERADICATE breast cancer. Advances in research continue to be made, but there is still so much more for us to do.  I don’t want any child to remember Mother’s Day as the day their Mother or Father lost their battle.

So I am pledging to match up to $1,500 in donations for Mother’s Day 2019.  Please join me in helping to eradicate this disease.

 

Gay Rudis, former VBCF Board President and volunteer extraordinaire, will match all Mother’s Day donations made between now and May 25th, up to $1,500.  Gay’s generous matching gift is in memory of her Mother, Beverly Orlando, who passed away the day after Mother’s Day in 1976.

Yes, I want to accept Gay’s challenge and make a gift to VBCF!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *