In 1999, I wrote a letter to the editor of my favorite scrapbook magazine, Memory Makers, asking them to help me in the fight against breast cancer. The idea was to hold a contest to raise awareness and funds through a contest called "Page for the Cure". The following is a portion of the letter I wrote to Michele Gerbrandt. Thanks to the caring staff at Memory Makers, we were able to raise thousands of dollars for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. I would like to thank each and every one of you who sent in pages and donations. I encourage everyone to become involved in the future. It's an awesome feeling to know that you helped to save a life. This contest changed my life in so many ways. I was honored to be the guest hostess at several Page for the Cure events across the nation. From California to Florida, I met wonderful women (and men) who gathered together to raise money for the Komen Foundation while doing something they loved. . . scrapbooking!

Here's how the whole thing started. . .

In April 1997, I received news that would change my life. I had breast cancer. This came as quite a shock since there wasn't a history of breast cancer in my family. At 41, I thought I was fairly young. I hadn't had any problems. Instantly my life was thrown into turmoil. Within a couple of weeks I was scheduled for a mastectomy and would begin chemotherapy within a month. Three years later, I'm still dealing daily with the fear of reoccurrence, but trust in the Lord to take care of me. Last fall, my two teenage boys decided to celebrate the blessing of my health by putting together a team in my honor at the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Race for the Cure® in Newport Beach, California. Several friends and members of my family gathered together to raise funds for the Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer. As we walked along the course, I was overwhelmed by the thousands of lives touched by this dreadful disease. Though I was very proud of my team, I couldn't help but feel that we weren't doing enough. I racked my brain for an idea that would involve people around the world in this fight. I prayed while I walked in the race. Then the idea for a Page for the Cure contest came to me. I am obsessed with scrapbooking, so naturally I looked for a way to combine it with my mission. Since I feel a special bond with the people of Memory Makers, I decided to contact them with my idea. I felt the magazine was a perfect tool for reaching people around the world. I know that with continued support, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation will help find a cure for breast cancer.

If you would like to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer, send a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation by mailing a check directly to the Foundation at: Komen Foundation, P. O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309. Donations can be made in memory or in honor of someone. A special card will be sent to them or their family in recognition of your gift.