Historically, I’ve not been drawn much to the color pink. However, there is one pink that I am consistently drawn to – the pink (ribbon) to support Breast Cancer.

In recent years I have participated in the American Cancer Society’s annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk as a way to show support. This year the Chicago walk is planned for Sunday, October 21st along the beautiful lakefront.

This is the third year that I’m joining in the Making Strides walk. In recent years, breast cancer has continued to creep closer and closer into my circle of family & friends.

I walk for my cousin, Ruth. In early 2004, Ruth was diagnosed with breast cancer and suddenly this disease crept into my family. Since her diagnosis she underwent sucessful treatment options and today is cancer free. I walk to honor Ruth’s courageous battle against this disease. I walk for her husband, Russ, who has been with her every step of the way. I walk for her kids, Nathan and Ellen, who have had to watch their mom in this battle.

I walk for my college roommate, Kelly. Since our college days, Kelly has had to watch her mom & sister battle breast cancer. I walk for her mother, Janet, who has battled through cancer and had to watch a daughter fight the same battle. I walk for her sister, Kim, who has most recently finished her treatments.

If you are here in Chicago, I’d love to have you join us for the walk on October 21st. It is a beautiful walk – the trees along the lakefront are normally full of radiant fall colors.

As I walk I will be wearing a pink scarf that I knit this month – each donor name will be attached to a pink ribbon to form a fringe so that each donor will be walking with me. After the walk, this scarf will be donated to a local breast cancer support group.

As a bonus for my blog donors, at the end of the walk, I will draw donor names for a couple of thank you gifts. What are the gifts? Think pink, think yarn.

Thank you for listening to the reasons why I think pink and why I am making strides. Together we can work towards a day when this disease will no longer creep into our circles of family and friends.