National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.

Hello,
I feel the need to explain a little bit about why I am here. I am not a breast cancer patient or survivor. My mother, or grandmother does not have breast cancer. To be completely honest, until this year, although I have heard many things about breast cancer and the fight against it, breast cacner had not been a very prevalent issue in my life. I am a University student, and getting good grades, paying the rent on time, and what boys think of me were my main concerns merely a year ago. Then during my yearly physical my doctor told me that I have a lump in my left breast. My heart DROPPED! I am 20 years old now, and 19 at the time. I still believed I was invincible. I am in very good physical shape and never thought disease could effect me. After some more testing, turns out the lump was not cancerous, and just a cyst. However, the three days it took to figure that out with certainty were some of the most stressful days of my life. I then made it my mission to find out more about breast cancer, and maybe if there was anything I could do about it. I knew what it felt like for three days not knowing, I couldn't imagine what it would be like to live knowing you DO have breast cancer. I apporached a couple of my professors at my University, and they were working on a research project that involved breast cancer patients and breast cancer survivors. I Immediately told them of my interest and asked if I could volunteer my time and help them out. They informed me I could do one better, and the next week I was a staff member on the job. It has been, and continues to be an extremely rewarding experiance. The study is being conducted online, and is a self report (you just fill in your answers) and takes about an hour to complete. I am not trying to violate any laws of the site and will not post a link or provide more details as the webmaster has very strict rules about not endorcing third party projects. However, if you are interested in more information you may e-mail me at amykroes2@trentu.ca. Aside from this work, my want and need to do something for the community of breast cancer survivors continued and does still. I am going to participate in the Walk in toronto in the comming fall, and have volunteered some time during last summers months working in a hair salon that specializes in the making of wigs for cancer patients to unfortunatly loose their hair during treatment. My joining this site is also, possibly selfish need to feel like I am contributing to the cause in some way. But if anyone has questions/comments etc. Feel free to drop me a line at any time:) God built me with two ears, I plan on using them to listen!

~Amie