Survival Brings Awareness

Haley Follett
The Signal

The National Breast Cancer Foundation was founded in 1991 to deliver life-saving information to women. Every year people sport pink in support of finding a cure and help bring awareness.

In the 1980s, Janelle Hail, founder of NBCF, discovered that she had breast cancer at 34 years of age. Unlike today where a click of a mouse can bring thousands of answers to a single question, Hail found herself scared, with limited information, having to trust fully in her doctor’s words.

The experience of battling her own cancer made Hail aware of the lack of information that was readily available to women. She knew the reason she survived was early detection, yet so many women did not know the importance of yearly exams or self-examination.

Once Hail defeated cancer she returned to her normal life. It was not long however, before she found herself inspired by a radiant leaf outside her kitchen window. The simplicity of one lone leaf clinging to the tree in such a magnificent red helped move her past the awfulness she had faced. It was looking at how stunning and bright that leaf was that made Hail want to be more than just a survivor. That leaf and tree branch sparked an idea in Hail’s head that 11 years later would become NBCF.

Since being founded in 1991, NBCF has grown from being a small nonprofit operated on love and humanity to one of the world’s most-recognized charities.

There are many different opportunities this month for volunteering, fundraising and helping spread awareness.

Wearing the breast cancer pink ribbon during the month of October, as well as any month, is the easiest way to spread awareness.

Another way to help the cause is through the school’s bookstore. For the rest of October the UHCL Barnes and Noble bookstore will be posting up a new “cure picture” to its Facebook page. For every “like”, comment and share the pictures receive, they will donate one dollar up to a maximum of $5,000. All it takes is a “like” to help make a difference.

Of course there is always the option to sport pink. Pink is the signature color of breast cancer. There are many different places that sell the breast cancer awareness apparel. Most donate a percent of profits made from the apparel to the cause.

There is also a volunteer match-up on the NBCF site where the charity will set up willing individuals with the perfect volunteer opportunity.

Take the time this month to spread awareness and help save lives.