Here’s your alert: Gear up

by Valora Starr

The other day I received an alert on my phone: “October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease.”

Sure it’s a few weeks away but, I appreciate the time to gear up.

I’ve been thinking about all of the women that received the news they have breast cancer since last October. My family has been walking with my sister-in-love’s sister since 2011. She is good now after three occurrences.

Then, my younger sister got the news this year. She boldly led us through her self-exam discovery, diagnosis, surgery and radiation.

I thank God that these two women have each other for encouragement and support.

I am grateful, too, for the many organizations, foundations, advocacy and research agencies that work for a cure for breast cancer and support women battling it.  Although I can’t champion every cause, I am going to do more than make a pledge and wear pink this October.

[bctt tweet=”The NBCF suggests that every woman begin with an early detection plan.” username=”womenoftheelca”]

The National Breast Cancer Foundation suggests that every woman begin with an early detection plan.

1. Get to know the symptoms and signs.
2. Learn how to perform a breast self-exam.
3. Perform it each month.
4. Get an annual clinical breast exam.
5. Follow your doctor’s recommendation (age and frequency) for a mammogram.

And, I am adding these (because of what I’ve learned from my loved ones going through it).

6. Talk to the women in your life.
7. Share what you know and find out what they know.
8. Be a companion, a cheerleader for those going through it.
9. Pray for women, the organizations, advocates and a cure.
10. Give. It’s a proven fact that each donation makes a difference. Consider a gift to Women of the ELCA health initiative Raising Up Healthy Women and Girls as we make our mark in lifting up the well-being of women and girls in our churches, communities, across the country and world.

Valora K Starr is director for discipleship for Women of the ELCA.

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Photo by Van Corey | CC BY-NC-ND