Coming together or walking side by
side with breast cancer survivors,
the more than pink pink pink walk that
is is just a couple weeks away and you
still have time to sign up merrily.
Neal, a breast cancer survivor,
is here this morning to talk about the
importance of this Susan G Komen walk.
Good morning to you, good morning.
Glad you could join us. Of course
we are proud sponsors of this event.
We have been for many years.
This is such an important event.
Let's go ahead and talk about it.
First, let's start off with your story.
Yes, well, almost nine years ago I was
celebrating a milestone birthday being
50 and my world was rocked a bit when
I got a call back after my mammogram,
my annual mammogram, and you know,
through those additional diagnostics and,
you know, feel so honored and
to know the fact that Susan G.
Komen does provide so many of those services.
I did have insurance and they had
the ability to go and make sure
that I took care of and figured out.
You know what I needed to know
about this abnormal mammogram,
so I am definitely an advocate for
early detection and making sure that
women get their screenings every year.
Cancer free now, which is great,
which is great to hear the
importance of mammograms. Important?
Let's talk about the importance
of this walk and the money that's
going to be raised and how it
stays here in our community.
Right, I mean for years people have
known as the common organization
through our pink ribbon.
That is not going away,
but that ribbon really has been a
sign of awareness and we know to
be able to eradicate this disease
and make sure that we offer the
services and support that's necessary.
We need to be more than pink and so
that's why our event now has a new name,
a little refreshed experience in Balboa
Park this year on November 7th because.
It is important that we let our
Community know we invite them to join
us for not only the wonderful walk and
beautiful walk through Balboa Park,
but also to learn more about.
As you said,
the impact of the fund raising and
the dollars that go towards women,
men and their families here in San Diego.
Breast cancer does not discriminate,
it could be anybody.
What does this walk mean for
survivors and their family members?
Well, that is a very emotional question and
answer in that the verse very first time
I did that back probably eight years ago,
just after being diagnosed.
If you've never done that and you've
never been in that community in the park,
it is every emotion there's.
There's smiles, there's laughs,
there's tears because it really takes all
of us in this community to understand
that almost everyone that we know has
been impacted by breast cancer in some way,
shape or form in San Diego.
Each day, six women are diagnosed
with breast cancer and one
woman will still lose her life.
So you know, it's it's continuing on,
but making sure in a different
world that we provide an opportunity
that honors those that we've lost,
supports those who are going
through the fight.
And as a community,
making sure that we keep working to fight
and find a way to end this disease.
Yeah, Marilee talk about.
We mentioned that you
know the money stays here.
Talk about some of the resources that
Susan G Komen provides for women.
There's so much that people don't think
about when the women lose their hair.
They need wigs and so many other things.
Can you address that?
Sure, and although a very large amount of our
donations and impact go towards research,
which is very important in here in San Diego,
we have organizations like Salk
and whatnot that really brings
those research dollars back here.
You're right, a lot of people in San
Diego and and throughout the United
States and world do not understand or
or know about the services and support.
And yes, from transportation to as you said,
wigs and support.
Sometimes we've.
Able to help families with just paying
their bills to keep their electricity
on 'cause we know that when women and
families are going through breast cancer,
it doesn't just affect that person.
It affects their entire
family and it's tough.
It's tough to be able to put food on
the table and we have been able to
do that for many families as well.
So there is a lot more than what that
pink ribbon shows and that's are the
very important part of bringing people
out to the park to not only participate
in the walk but throughout the event.
That day there will be a lot of interactive.
Engagements with food trucks and live
music and really areas that impact
and show are screening devices and
things like that so that everyone
in San Diego can get a first hand
look at exactly how important it
is for us to continue this fight.
I cannot, you know, explain enough
how important events like this are.
It's because of organizations like Susan
G Komen that we've been able to find so
many different ways to treat breast cancer.
Sometimes not even chemotherapy anymore.
Merrilee thank you so much for joining us.
We again are proud sponsors of this event
and for people who survivors like you to see
so many people out there it is touching.
It's important and it's such
a big deal to our community.
November 7th at 8:00 AM at Balboa Park.
Opening ceremonies at 7:30.
If you're just watching this and
you're looking at your calendar
or what you're doing.
If you don't have any plans,
come on out there. You can still sign up.
You can find this information on our website.
Cbs8.com merrily thank you so much.
For joining us
I just wanted to make sure everyone
knew two that registration is free,
so we really are encouraging.
If you've never been before coming out,
be a part of this and we can't wait
to see everyone on November 7th.