This past weekend my husband and I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It was our seventh year and we raised close to $7,500. Though walking 39 miles in two days, sleeping in a tent and using port-a-potties is not easy, we’re always excited about being part of the effort to fund organizations working to support cancer patients and researchers working to find a cure.
But, this year was different for me.
As we waited for the Walk to begin, we listened to women talk about their experiences with cancer. One woman who lost her three aunts to the disease and has since been diagnosed herself. Another woman talked about being diagnosed at the age of 33. I started to cry as we weaved our way through the crowd.
Something is wrong, I thought. And I need to do something.
Avon has raised millions and millions of dollars through the Walks around the country. For that, I say Bravo! Many, many women (and men) have been helped and perhaps received treatment they otherwise could not afford. However, what if, in fact, it’s the chemicals in Avon products that are contributing to one woman every three minutes being diagnosed with breast cancer? I don’t mean to single out Avon here; it’s really all the mainstream brands. It’s just that Avon was certainly top of mind at that moment.
And, let’s talk about what is served along the Walk route: Gatorade, candy, packaged/processed snacks. Even my husband said, “Amazing how we’re walking all this way to fight breast cancer and all along the way is crap.”
I believe people are sabotaging their health and well-being by using products containing dangerous chemicals. If you believe all the marketing hype, everything is safe. Really? Remember when lead was used in paint? Remember when smoking was sexy?
I also firmly believe that nutrition cannot take a back seat when discussing breast cancer (or any form of cancer). While finding a cure is, of course, a pressing matter to save all those who are battling the disease, the conversation of prevention is key. Let’s keep our organs, muscles, joints and every cell of our body thriving and strong.
Can healthy eating and exercise guarantee you won’t get cancer? No.
Do doctors guarantee that a cancer drug will cure cancer (or send it into remission)? No.
Here’s something I do know: when my sister was bravely fighting breast cancer, her doctor did say: “There’s nothing good about cancer. It’s going to be a battle and we’re going to target the tumor and fight hard. But the good thing is you are a ‘healthy’ person. You don’t have high cholesterol or high blood press or diabetes. You aren’t taking medication for various health matters, so that’s going to give us a leg up on the battle we do have in front of us.”
Don’t wait. Start taking control of your health and well-being. Be the CEO of your life.
A great way to start: join me for the Fabulous Fall Clean Eating Cleanse:
http://fabulousfallcleanse.bravowellness.com
