The Voice

OPINION

November 3, 2003

Walking for the people who cannot

Lillian Stratmann
Staff Reporter

Many people have asked me why I walk and why I spend so much time trying to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. The answer is simple.

I walk for the 34 year old mother of three small children whose cancer has spread to her spine. Due to the excruciating pain, she is unable to walk. She desperately needs treatment and is having difficulty getting it because she has no insurance.

I walk for the 70 year old grandmother who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and is currently undergoing chemo and radiation therapy. She is too weak to walk.

I walk for the husband who buried his wife, the love of his life. She left behind an emptiness he hopes to fill for their children. But he is too grief stricken to even speak, let alone walk.

I walk for all the men and women who have been struck down in the prime of their lives. Were you surprised that I said men? Yes, men can get breast cancer too, it is not solely reserved for women. The information is predominantly geared towards females due to the fact that it is the second leading cause of death among women.

I walk for those who are fighting their own battle right now and those who have been victorious.

I walk for those in the future, that someday cancer of any kind will no longer be the devastating disease that it is today.

That is why I walk.

The answer may be simple and I hope it makes people think. The question should be why aren't more of you walking? I wish to thank those of you who are taking the steps and striving forward, so that someday we will no longer fear the words breast cancer. Keep walking.

Opinion:

-Baseball curses and driving your team into the dirt (the story of the arizona cardinals)
-Turning up the heat in Affirmative Action oven
-Walking for the people who cannot
-It's the season for giving (your dollars)


November 3, 2003 sections:

- News
- Opinion
- Features
- Editorial
- Arts and Events
- Staff and credits for this issue

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Glendale Community College
6000 W Olive Ave
Glendale AZ 85302
(623) 845-3000

A Maricopa Community College

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