It has been 10 years

This September 7 will mark 10 years since my sister passed away.

I started reading on breast cancer some time before she died. But the past 10 years have been different. Back then I was reading with hope for her. Now I read with hope for everyone who has been or will be afflicted with breast cancer.

My reading has also helped me learn about many people through the world who raise money to find a cure for breast cancer. Some work towards awareness. Almost everyone has had a loved one afflicted with it. Nancy Brinker, my inspiration, began Susan G Komen for the Cure, which is today the largest source of private funds in the world, for breast cancer research. One woman, Polly Letofsky, walked across the world for five years to raise money. Another family has started an annual walk. There are so many people doing so many different things.

This blog is my attempt to do something.

What can I do this year?

Navratilova has breast cancer

In my teens, I was crazy about watching tennis. I really followed the game for a few years. Even have the newspaper cuttings from those times. Especially ones about Steffi Graf’s achievements.

Besides Graf, Martina Navratilova was another player whose matches I loved to watch. But the magic of the game died down for me after Graf’s retirement. Nowadays I don’t even know who is World No 1!

Then the other day I read about Navratilova getting breast cancer. She said she was shocked because she was always healthy.

But it’s not about being healthy. Many sportsmen, Lance Armstrong being the most famous, have got cancer.

This is a disease where one cannot say A has factor X so he/ she will not get it. Or A doesn’t have factor X, so he/ she will get it.

One must always stay a step ahead of it by being careful and going for tests. If at all one gets it, deal with it. Wage a war against it.

Above all, be aware. That is half the war won.