-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Subscribe
Credit
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?
Comments
52 Responses to “Buckets for the Cure”
Got something to say?
Great post and story. Thank you for sharing.
Awesome post, Andrea.
Just wondering, does anyone else think KFC makes an odd sponsor for breast cancer awareness? Perhaps they could change the slogan to “eat some breasts to save some boobies.” At least it’s not cholesterol awareness, I suppose.
mmmm… chicken… nom nom nom.
Sorry, just realized I commented more on the chicken than your beautiful post about your great aunt. Love the photo of her an Baby Alison.
Thank you for the reminder of how this disease impacts all of us. I’m at a lucky moment in my life where I don’t know anyone fighting breast cancer. It’s easy to forget that all of us are vulnerable. My grandmother was a survivor, and so far my mother, sisters and I have been lucky. I also have two daughters,and many friends, and I know that it’s just a matter of time before one of us fights the Beast.
[...] Sweet Life recounts that despite being in her eighties, her great-aunt “was just as likely as a ten year old to have an impromptu root beer float party.” Read more about the vivacious Mary Alice, who fought breast cancer four times… [...]
My aunt is a five-year survivor. Organizations like Komen are so, so very important. Hopefully before our children our grown we will see the day when we don’t have to commemorate any more lost to breast cancer.
What a wonderful way to raise awareness and money for an important cause!! Mary Alice looks and sounds like someone I would have loved too. Here’s hoping that one day, women don’t have to worry about fighting this beast!
Thank you for doing this. There is a history of cancer in my family, we need to find a cure NOW!
My 33 year old BFF is a 3 year survivor. She was diagnosed at the age of 30, has had a double mastectomy, chemo and is now living cancer free. She is my inspiration to live a full life. She’s a fighter and I’m so glad she has beat the BEAST!
What a wonderful woman and a wonderful tribute to her. So beautiful.
My aunt died 9 months ago, barely a year after being diagnosed. Thanks for sharing your story.
Sweet story, thanks for sharing!
So beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for helping in this important cause.
Now craving a root beer float!!! Keep up the fight — Your aunt would be so proud of you!!! You can just tell by looking at those pictures that she was full of life!!
Thanks for sharing your story – I feel like I know Mary Alice myself now!! My friend Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer in her thirties, after battling melanoma in her twenties.
She has still the most spunk of anyone, and has now returned to work after many “spreadings” of the disease. She’s living testimony to the fight that must be won. She has been a leader in Philadelphia for years for the Susan Komen foundation. I’m proud to have her as my friend.
Your story was so touching. I currently have an aunt that is battling breast cancer, so this cause is close to my heart.
My mom is a 2x breast cancer survivor so this cause is very close to my heart. I plan to run the Komen Race For the Cure this year and do my part to raise as many funds as I can.
I have donated to many ACS and Susan G Komen charitys in the past! I always donate in my grandparents names, who both died of Cancer within the past 2 years.
BLESS YOUR HEART. I’m sorry to hear about your Aunt. She looks and sounds like a wonderful person — what a triumph that she overcame cancer three times! Good luck with this post. I’ll do what I can to point people here to read about your Aunt and leave you comments! Good luck – you’re doing a great thing.
So sorry for your loss. She looks so happy to be with your daughter!! Thank you for sharing your story with all of u I am a 6-year breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at age 42. I have no family history of breast cancer. I cherish every day but it is never far from my thoughts how fortunate I am to have had fantastic doctors to care for me and my terrific family and friends who helped me get through my treatment. Keep up getting the word out that breast cancer affects us all even if you aren’t the one with the diagnosis.
So sorry for your loss. She looks so happy to be with your daughter!! Thank you for sharing your story with all of u I am a 6-year breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at age 42. I have no family history of breast cancer. I cherish every day but it is never far from my thoughts how fortunate I am to have had fantastic doctors to care for me and my terrific family and friends who helped me get through my treatment. Keep up getting the word out that breast cancer affects us all even if you aren’t the one with the diagnosis.
Mary Alice sounds like she was a remarkable woman. How lucky you were to have her in your life. I’m sorry for your loss. But, I thank you for your efforts to get the word out to others. Hooray for you … for BlogHer … for KFC … and for the Komen Foundation!
Thank you for sharing your story, Cancer touched my life when I watched a friend battle with it last year. It becomes all too real so fast.
[...] Sweet Life [...]
Thank you for sharing your story!
Your Great-Aunt sounds like an amazing lady! Thanks for telling about her
Next time I go to KFC will be sure to pick up a pink bucket! God Bless
What a fabulous lady! Thanks for sharing her story. It’s good to hear people can beat this more than once, though very sad they have to. We need a cure NOW!
Mary Alice sounds like a brave and delightful woman who embraced life right to its end. A chicken dinner is a small tribute to someone that wonderful.
Amazing post. Thanks for sharing your story.
What a touching story. My favorite aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 years ago. She had a double mastectomy and chemo, and so far she is fine — reading your post had me scrambling to my computer to send her an email
though mary alice ultimately lost her final battle to breast cancer, she is an arduous fighter in my mind. 4 times she fought it! what a woman!
thank you for your post and for doing all that you can to support a great organization like komen. as the daughter of a survivor, i commend you.
Andrea, thanks for sharing your story. Mary Alice sounds like an incredible woman – I’m sorry for your loss.
What wonderful memories of Mary Alice – thanks for sharing!!
I’m a 3 1/2 year survivor. And now I have a craving for chicken! … Thanks for the dinner suggestion!
It’s so important to get the word out. Thank you for sharing your story.
Really admire your aunt. We need to teach the young generation to be strong in the face of adversity.
Keep up your good work on behalf of Komen for the Cure!
What an amazing story
Dont forget, men get and survive Breast Cancer! I am living proof! Keep up the good work, KFC!!!!
Putter Withers
Frisco, TX
What a touching story I believe god miricale is the blessing of the tome we have and how we live our lives after knowing them or what u have seen blessing u and all the people /familes touch by cancer
Comment for 1$
So happy to join you in supporting this cause. Thanks for sharing Mary Alice’s story.
What a poignant tale, Mary Alice sounds like she was a terrific influence in your life (and still is!). Here’s another buck, keep up the good work; think I’ll convince the family to go out for KFC tonight!
My grandmother was a breast cancer survivor. She’d be disgusted if she were alive today. The Komen Foundation PROMOTES breast cancer, NOT a cure.
If you really care about women, and about ending breast cancer, visit http://www.bucketsforthecause.com to find out what Komen is REALLY doing for women.
Thank you for sharing your story!!
Thanks for sharing! I will make sure I get a pink bucket!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I love the pictures of your aunt. You can just see that sparkle in her eye that people who truly enjoy life have. How lucky you were to know her. I can only imagine how much you must miss her.
What a lovely tribute, in support of a great cause. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing that story! Breast cancer affects so many in so many ways. Go Komen!
Mary Alice looks lovely, I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story for a great cause.
So very sorry….
You gave great points here. I did some research on the subject and have found nearly all people agree with your blog.
Sent via Blackberry
[...] I tell my utterly embarrassing story, I must ask: Have you gone over to comment on my Buckets for the Cure post, yet? If not, you should – the BlogHer Ads network is donating $1 to Susan G. [...]
awesome