Where's KISS?

Just before the end of June, I introduced the newest member of Drew's Crew to the world. KISS came to Boston and worked hard to make the event a success. You can check out photos on the Event Support Team page on Facebook.

Returning from Boston, KISS was really tired. It was a very exhausting for such a small bear and the emotions that were tied into the event made it mentally draining. So KISS went into hibernation.

However, I am happy to report that today, I was able to take KISS to the BeArport where she will travel to Reno, NV. There she will make herself a new home with her kindred spirit and my good friend, Kristin!

I can't think of better timing for KISS to make her way to Reno. In Kristin's latest post Rainbows and Butterflies, she has made some decisions in her life, which now include chemo to increase her survival chances.

I, along with many other of Kristin's friends admire her so much for her strength and positive attitude. It is my firm belief that a positive attitude is what helped my mom survive breast cancer. So again, it just seems appropriate timing for KISS to be on her way to Kristin, because, with KISS comes all the love and support poured into the search for KISS, the well wishes from Boston 3-Day Walkers and Crew, and hugs and kisses that we have bestowed upon KISS to give to Kristin.

Kristin, there are so many people who love you and will support you in the fight! You are the shining example of a PINK WARRIOR!!!!

What Do You Stand For?

I've managed to hold my tongue for quite a long time as I watched over the last several years at the polarization of the nation. The economy is in shambles, yet people will go to great lengths to impose their views on others either through the legal system or in public forums. One of my biggest peeves has been the polarization of people who are no longer supporting Susan G. Komen because of the mis-handling of the Planned Parenthood issue.

If you have been in a cave the last couple years, you would have missed how controversy started to brew about how Komen was sending fundraising dollars to Planned Parenthood for breast exams. Pro-Life supporters came out of the woodworks and lambasted Komen for the audacity to support Planned Parenthood. The organization drew so much flak that it pulled funding from Planned Parenthood and took away a channel for women to get screened for breast cancer.

This action of course got all the Pro-Choice supporters up in arms to the point where Komen reinstated the funding. Ultimately, it was a mis-step by Komen in how they handled communication and strategy, but the damage was done.

Now this year, as the 3-Day season gets under way, across the board, Komen is witnessing a downdraft in participation. Boston, which kicked off the season at the end of July, only saw ~1,000 walkers. Volume in prior years had been on the rise to about the 1,400 mark. The other 13 remaining events are seeing similar effects.

So what's happening? Well, walkers are making the choice not to walk based on their stance on abortion. Walkers who want to walk may not be getting the same amount of donations because their constituents are taking a stand based on theif beliefs about abortion.

I think this is a travesty, that people would allow their polarizing beliefs affect their will to fight an enemy WAY greater. Let's get some breast cancer facts straight people...

1. Breast Cancer doesn't care what you believe about abortion
2. Breast Cancer doesn't care if you are RICH or POOR
3. Breast Cancer doesn't care if you are a woman or man
4. Breast Cancer doesn't care about YOU!!!!!

The bottom line is that years ago, a woman made a promise to her dying sister. And I truly believe that the Komen organization cares only about one thing...the erradication of breast cancer.

So the next time someone asks you to donate for the sake of womens' health and the end of breast cancer and you reflect on the Planned Parenthood debacle, ask yourself this question...

Are you pro-life, pro-choice, or PRO-HEALTH?