All my Octobers

As most of you know, I am not a girly girl and have never really cared for the color pink. But for October I'm going pink (http://pinkforoctober.org/) and this blog will be pink.

Growing up October meant The World Series and Halloween. It was also the month my Grandma Counsell lost her battle with breast cancer, shortly before Halloween in 1979. So I thought it was appropriate when they made October Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was 5 years old when she died, my dad was not quite 30. I have happy memories of the time we spent together, but I didn't get to know her as an adult. And I learned more about her after she was gone than I did when she was alive. She was diagnosed before my older brother was born and was grateful to see some of her grandchildren. She fought the disease for 10 years . She didn't get to meet Abby, Lydia, Katia or Grecia. She didn't see her youngest daughter get married.

So this month, Go Pink. And every month, do a self breast exam. And if you are over 40, get a mammogram once a year. Earlier if you have a family history of early cancer. Early detection is key. And don't think it can't happen to you, 80% of those who have breast cancer have no family history of the disease.

http://nbcam.org/
http://ww3.komen.org/home/