This May, five years will have passed since I discovered my breast cancer. That would be a worthy landmark except for my younger sister's ovarian cancer diagnosis last October, compounded by the critical fact that the two of us, my mom, and mom's brother all discovered cancer before the age of 50. So, while my sister is now in full remission, our future cancer risk is higher than ever. We both face extra screenings year-round, and, based on genetic counseling, I am planning to reduce my future risk through an elective surgery this summer.

That’s why I am committed more than ever to helping the non-profit Queen of Hearts Foundation raise funds for breast cancer services for myself and my neighbors. On Saturday, May 8, I will celebrate my 5-year remission anniversary by joining hundreds of other East Bay area residents the day before Mother's Day to walk The Royal Mile (actually 3 miles) in Danville. In the past three years, our all-volunteer Foundation has been able to donate a total of $40,000 to local breast cancer support centers from such fund raising.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for all women, and the leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55. Both its cause and the means for its cure remain undiscovered. While 1 in 8 women are diagnosed nationally, the statistic is 1 in 6 in the Bay Area, the highest in the world! Currently, one million women in the United States unknowingly have the disease, but they probably won't discover their potentially fatal illness for another five to eight years! At The Royal Mile, we will have a booth offering education designed to give women every opportunity for early detection, which was the reason my breast cancer experience was not as devastating as it could have been.

...is a San Francisco Bay Area non-profit organization dedicated to breast cancer. Founder Laura Lee Marshall is a two-time survivor who passionately believes in her mission to give East Bay residents a way to support local women who are fighting breast cancer. Many of my co-volunteers are survivors and all are just as passionate about this cause as Laura is. As for me, I'm really excited about this terrific pre-Mother's Day event every year because it lets me help women I encounter in my daily life: co-workers, gym buddies, in-line skaters and so many others.

In the past three years, the Queen of Hearts Foundation has split a total of $40,000 in donations to the John Muir / Mt. Diablo Health System, the Wellness Community in Pleasant Hill, and the Kaiser Permanente Walnut Creek Breast Care Center. Last year, The Royal Mile walk/run attracted over 600 participants, and over 40 local small businesses participated in the highly successful post-walk fair in Blackhawk Plaza in Danville. Sponsors for 2003 included Crown Chevrolet, Visa, Wells Fargo, Safeway, 24-Hour Fitness®, KTVU Channel 2, Kinko’s, U.S. Postal Service and the Oakland Raiders, among others. 2004 contributors of $500 or more will have their names featured on The Royal Mile T-shirt in recognition of their generosity and support.

Each $50 donation ($55 on event day) will serve as a direct donation to Queen of Heart funds. For those who are able to attend on May 8, it will also include admission to entertainment, education and shopping in the Royal Courtyard. Walkers and runners should register early because the first 1000 names will also receive a T-shirt and a truly majestic fanny pack!

• By phone, call the Women’s Health Center at John Muir / Mt. Diablo at 925-941-7900 (choose option #3)
  
• In person, visit the Women’s Health Center in person to pick up one or more registration forms.
  
• By mail or fax, pick up a registration form at a Danville business or download one at www.therealqueenofhearts.com.
  
• To collect pledges from your friends and neighbors, see the back side of the registration form.
  
• Sponsors or vendors in the Plaza, contact Laura Lee Marshall at (925)-838-8178.

I will skate The Royal Mile in the memory of my mom (left) and Uncle John, in support of my sister’s and my own ongoing battles, and to help the future breast cancer victims who are my relatives and neighbors. Remember, those of you who cannot join me in Danville on May 8 can still send donations using any of the above registration methods.

Thank you for your support and commitment. If you have any questions about the walk or the Queen of Hearts Foundation, please contact me.

Love, Liz