October is here, and in addition to all the wonderful things that fall brings, October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. National Breast Cancer Awareness Month was founded in 1985 to promote mammography as the most effective weapon in the fight against breast cancer. In the almost 30 years since, it has served its purpose well.

I believe people are very aware of the importance of early detection, but time and time again, I hear women making excuses. They are afraid it will hurt; they have never had a mammogram and are scared of the procedure.

These excuses seems a bit light to me. Compared to many other invasive medical procedures women deal with, a mammogram is a simple, quick screening. Heck, I think I’d rather have a mammogram than go to the dentist.

An even more common excuse is, “I don’t have time.” If you don’t have time for the screening, I’m a bit concerned how cancer might cramp your schedule. This may seem a bit harsh, but the reality of breast cancer is real.

The statistics show that one in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. With those kind of stats, why would anyone put off a breast cancer screening?

I think what really is behind all this procrastination is the fear: the fear of a cancer diagnosis. But not knowing doesn’t make it go away! If scheduling your mammogram is on your to-do list, stop reading this and go make your appointment.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Okay, now that we have that squared away, we can talk about what I really want to talk about. I want to invite you to join me for the 22nd annual American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event on Sunday, October 19, in Concord. This is a five-mile walk, with a shorter Survivor Way route of 2.5 miles.

Registration and team photos are from 11 AM to 12:30 PM, with the Survivor Procession and Opening Ceremonies starting at 12:30 PM and the walk itself at 1 PM.

The walk starts and ends at Memorial Field on South Fruit Street in Concord. Anyone raising $100 will receive a long-sleeve Making Strides t-shirt, which really is the uniform of the day and unites us in our cause.

Survivors in the midst of treatment are encourage to come; there are ways to participate without walking the route. You can find more information in our Survivor Invite at AndoverBeacon.com/Strides_Survivor_2014.

You can walk as an individual, form your own team, or join one of the many Making Strides teams with connections to Andover – Concord Moose Lodge #1374 and Moosettes #279, French’s Feisty Fighters, Hope’s Marvelous Mamo-Grams, Just for Jill and Judy Too!, Sarah’s Soldiers, and Tucker’s Treasure Chest. All the information you need to Make Strides can be found at MakingStridesWalk.org/ConcordNH.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer raises critical funds that enable the American Cancer Society to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research, provide free information and services, and ensure access to mammograms for women who need them.

In addition to the practical impact the money raised has on the disease, there is something else that happens at Making Strides in Concord. All you have to do is take one step onto that field to feel the overwhelming support of our community. Everyone has their own reason for participating, but for that one day, we are all connected – to heal, to hope, and to support each other.

There is a place for everyone at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Concord, and together we can make a difference.