Double Time

This months Blog for a Cause is doing double time. There are two major events coming up that I want to highlight and wanted to give you the chance to participate in one or both.

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The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research – and it calls on volunteers of all ages to become champions in the fight against Alzheimer's. There are walks in more than 600 communities. A typical Memory Walk is a 2-3 mile walk held on a weekend morning in the fall.

Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease every 71 seconds.

Both Jonathan and I have/had someone in our families who have been effected by Alzheimer's.

Memory Walk is a fun and inspiring event that helps the Alzheimer's Association fulfill its mission. Most importantly, it is an opportunity to help ensure that no one faces this disease alone.

Teams are made up of at least 10 members each of which must raise at least $200 from sponsors. Walks will be held at Downtown Murfreesboro & at Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach 9/27, Maryville College 9/28, and at Wofford College in Spartanburg on 10/4. For more information on starting a team or registering for any of these walks and additional options go to www.alz.org/memorywalk. If you can't participate in an actual walk, sign up for the Virtual Walk.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was founded on a promise between two sisters and is now the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists.

Breast cancer is still the leading cause of death for women ages 40-59, and it is the leading cancer site among all American women, the majority of whom have no risk factors. The strongest and most unavoidable of all risk factors are being female and growing older. This year alone an estimated 215,990 women and 1,450 men in the U.S. alone will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. It is estimated that 40, 410 women and 450 men will die from breast cancer this year. The generosity of donors is essential they continue efforts to help breast cancer patients today, as well as to invest in the health of future generations. 10 million women around the world could die from breast cancer in the next 25 years without the cures.

Again, this is a topic that strikes close to home for both of us. I find myself asking all the ladies at work - regardless of age, if they have had a mammogram lately. Technology today has increased so much that early detection is a greater possibility. The earlier on, the better the chances. Know your family history and talk to your doctor about when and how often you should have a screening. Its also important to conduct self breast exams on a regular basis between mammograms.

Race for the Cure events will be held in Greenville, SC on 9/27 and in Knoxville on 10/11. Teams can range from 10-400+ members. In most cases, there is no minimum on how much individuals raise but prizes are given to those individuals who raise increments of $100 or more.

To register your team go for the Knoxville Race go to www.komenknoxville.org or for the Greenville Race go to www.komenupstatesc.org.