Yesterday was the 2008 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Indianapolis. It is an event that is very, very close to my heart. Breast cancer runs in my family, on my mother’s side. It killed my Great-grandmother, who I don’t remember at all. It took my aunt, who I was very, very close to and was only 51 when she died. One of my college roommates is fighting breast cancer that returned after a complete masectomy and hysterectomy. She is in her 30’s. Anyway, you get my point. I’m feeling pretty invested in the cause.

So Princess, Monkeyboy and I set out with other family and friends to walk in the rain in hopes that the awareness and the money raised could one day make a difference. There were several things I saw that brought tears to my eyes, not the least of which was the survivors’ photo.

Sometime that day, someone brought up the fact that in the past couple of years, several huge advances have been made in cancer research, and perhaps one day soon we won’t be racing for “the cure” but racing to remember those that didn’t make it long enough to see the cure.

After the race, Princess and I went home (don’t fear for Monkeyboy, he decided to stay and play at his grandmother’s house for a while).  Bucket asked if we had a few trinkets from the event that we could take to Mrs. B. She is a lady whose grass Bucket has cut since he was a teenager. She is fighting breast cancer, but has been diagnosed as terminal. The cancer is in her bones and her lymph nodes and she undergoes chemo only with the hope of prolonging her life. So we took a few things over to her to show her we care and we’ve been thinking of her. We sit, and we chat for a bit. She has a bandana to hide the hair loss, and a wrap on her arm due to the lymphedema. She is still in pretty good shape, and gets around well. In fact, she’s gained five pounds. She’s been doing the “prolonging life” treatment bit for almost a year now.

As I’m sitting there, I can’t help but think that it’s time that’s the issue here. We know there will be a cure eventually, but will it come soon enough for her?