This will be my sixth year walking for Susan G. Komen, my fifth year walking without my sister, Tracy.

Both my mother and sister were diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2018. My mother had a lumpectomy, a second surgery for clean margins, followed by chemo and radiation. My mom graduated to survivors treatment in 2022. Tracy had two types of cancer. She underwent chemo to shrink the tumors, then a double mastectomy, more chemo, radiation and reconstructive surgery. Her remission was short lived, in July of 2021 her cancer was back and had spread to pleura, then to her bones, organs and brain. She fought her battle with cancer with pure grit, courage, determination and always a smile and sense of humor.

If you had the pleasure of knowing my sister, you would know she was kind, generous, funny and full of love. She put all others before herself. She loved her family and above all else she loved her two daughters. She found the good in everyone and everything. She lived her life to the fullest for the short amount of time she was here.

Susan G. Komen gave me an outlet when my sister was battling metastatic breast cancer. It allowed me to raise money for a cause that means so much to my family, it allowed me to feel like I was doing something to help during a time when I felt totally helpless.

I will continue to walk and raise money every year in memory of my sister. It's one of the few things I can do every year to honor her life.

I walk every year with the same hope, that one day there will be a cure for breast cancer and nobody else will have to lose their loved one to this awful disease.

So, if you are able to donate to this fundraiser, no amount is too small. I greatly appreciate all the support I have received over the years that I have been participating in this fundraiser. For the last 4 years I have been the top fundraiser for the Walk Where You Are event. I am hopeful again this year with your help and support to be the top fundraiser this year too!

Thank you for your support!

Jen