Fight Like a Girl

October is breast cancer awareness month. I know you have all seen the displays in stores, ads on tv and the radio, and I have even mentioned it here on my blog. The pink ribbons, the shirts, pens and coffee mugs abound. I buy a lot of these things because I believe in supporting research for breast cancer and other health issues that relate to women. (I do support mens health too, but this is one thing I feel adamant about!)

I know a lot of you, my friends and family, read this blog. I thank you for that. Right now, I need you to pass on the link of this blog to your friends and family. I need your help in getting some fundraising for a fellow co-worker of mine who has breast cancer. Our hospital, small that it is, and the county of Elberton has been a great support of Mona. T-shirts have been made up by a local store and sold. A portion of this money from the t-shirt sales benefit Mona and her family. If you are interested in ordering one of these t-shirts, they are $15. All you need to do is contact me and make a check out to Sports Connection. I will turn your order in to Mona's mom (who is our registrar on the weekends) who will get the shirts back to me for delivery. It's really simple. Just think you'll be doing something beneficial for someone and getting a great t-shirt to boot. Let me now take the time to tell you a little about Mona and why it is so important for you all to help.

Statistics are really cut in dry when it comes to breast cancer. 1 in 8 women will develop it in their lifetime. To me, that just seems like a whole lot of women being affected. Early detection is a must. Self breast exams, doctor exams and MAMMOGRAMS are essential. What makes me so passionate about female health is because it can happen to you. Look at the statistics. More than likely, if it doesn't happen to you personally, you will be affected by it. Simply because one of your friends or family members will be diagnosed in their lifetime. I can list off on both hands women that I know who have went thru breast cancer or a type of female cancer. Cancer isn't choosy. You don't have to not have the family history, the predominant race, the age or anything. It can just strike. Look at Mona.

Mona is an employee at EMH. Like I said, so is her mom. I don't personally know Mona, (because I work only weekends) but I feel for her. She is a mom, a wife, a daughter. She is loved by so many people in that hospital and in that community. I am proud of EMH for standing by her. Probably every employee has a Fight Like a Girl shirt in honor of Mona. Administration even allows for the employees to wear their shirt on Fridays. Not many places would. I talked with nurses this weekend and they told me that this support for Mona is far reaching out of the county. They have been taking orders for other parts of Georgia. Mona has said that the t-shirt sales have been a "blessing to her and her family." I want us all to be a part of that blessing.

Remember when I said that cancer isn't choosy about whose body it invades? Mona is a mom of two girls, she has no family history of breast cancer and she is only 35! She is fighting like a girl. She is taking some rough chemo. She is hanging in there. She is being strong.

It astounds me that most doctors will not say that a person needs a mammogram until the age of 40. More and more breast cancer is popping up in patients under 40. Age evidently is not a factor. Just look at Mona.

I hope you all will want to buy a shirt and Fight Like a Girl. If you can't buy one, please just offer up a prayer for Mona and her family. She needs that too.

And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. (James 5:15)