Buckets for the Cure

This is sponsored content from BlogHer and KFC.

Written by Andrea of The Sweet Life

Andrea Says:

I stepped from the cruise ship in Ketchikan, Alaska and immediately looked for a payphone.

We’d been at sea for days, and because of unseasonably rough waters, there had been no contact with shore available.  Finally, I found a phone and called my parents to check on our then- 18 month old daughter, Alison.  It was the first time we’d left her, and I wasn’t handling the separation well.

Turns out, Alison was fine.  Better than fine, because she was having the vacation of her lifetime with her grandparents.

As I said my good-bye’s, filled up on the sound of my little girl’s voice, my mom said she had something to tell me.  She hesitated, not sure if she should wait to tell me news that was sure to make me upset.

My Great-Aunt, Mary Alice, had lost her long and arduous battle with Breast Cancer the day before.

My breath caught.  Mary Alice.

One in eight women in the US will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.  Mary Alice fought The Beast four times.  With three wins in her corner, I’d been sure she would announce another victory.  But she didn’t.

Not this time.  Breast Cancer had finally won, claiming one of the most amazing women I’ve ever had the honor of knowing.

Mary Alice fought Breast Cancer tooth and nail, never letting The Beast get her down.  She knew that her battle affected everyone in her life – those she loved, and those who loved her.

In her eighties, she was just as likely as a ten year old to have an impromptu root beer float party.  She played a game of solitaire every single day.  She read books like they were going out of style.  She was curious to try new things, convinced life was an adventure to be experienced with joy, honesty and laughter.

Mary Alice was my favorite pen pal, whether she was at home and healthy, or in the hospital and struggling.  Even now, nearly 5 years after her passing, I find myself composing letters to her in my head, and smiling as I finish a book she would have enjoyed.

It is with Mary Alice in mind that I proudly wear a pink ribbon, and regularly donate to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Komen has already invested nearly $1.5 billion in community programs and breast cancer research, which helped Mary Alice to win her first three battles against The Beast.

When I learned that KFC had plans to join forces with Susan G. Komen for the Cure through a program dubbed Buckets for the Cure, I knew I needed to help get the word out.

This Spring, look for commemorative Pink Buckets at participating KFC restaurants throughout the US.  Each Pink Bucket will feature names of breast cancer survivors as well as names of those who have lost their battle with The Beast.

For every Pink Bucket, KFC makes a 50 cent contribution to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  The Pink buckets will be available in KFC restaurants through May 23rd, 2010.

If you or your family plan to eat out during this time, consider going to KFC and purchasing a Pink Bucket to help spread the message about breast health, and turn millions of Breast Cancer patients into Breast Cancer survivors.

If eating out isn’t your thing, click over to Buckets for the Cure to make a contribution. Join the Cause with KFC, and let’s see if we can make this program the largest donation ever in the fight against Breast Cancer.

In addition to KFC’s amazing program, BlogHer will donate $1 for every comment left on this post, as well as on the other shared story blog posts, up to a grand total of $1000!

Eat. Comment. Join the Cause.  Together we can knock out The Beast for good!

Mary Alice’s spunk and spirit, even in the face of Breast Cancer, inspired all of those who met her to celebrate life.  She made such a difference.

I’d love to know, what do you do to make a difference in the lives of others?

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