As most of you know, my mother was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer last year and has spent the last 13 months battling through chemo, surgery, radiation, and now a clinical trial. It has been a difficult year made worse by the realization of just how prevalent breast cancer is. Ê Not only did her mother, my grandmother, die of breast cancer when I was a toddler but 1 in 8 women will contract it within their lifetime.
While there is so much that we do not know about the causes of cancer, the good news is that the research and advocacy is slowly starting to catch up.Ê Recent research has linked environmental exposures (including not only air pollution and occupational hazards but using sunscreens and creams with parabens or plastic bottles with bisphenol-A and phthalates) to greater risks of cancer.Ê Preventing breast cancer starts with the elimination of these environmental causes of the disease.
That's why I support the Breast Cancer Fund and why I am asking you to join or support me as I "Bike Against the Odds" Saturday, August 23, 2008. I'll be joining hundreds of other cyclists in my favorite East Bay hills in an effort to raise awareness of (and funds for) this important cause.Ê Please visit my BCF web page and then join me, either literally by registering--as I'll need the company on the course -- or in spirit by donating what you can to support the Breast Cancer Fund.
Thanks for all of your help and support,
Adam Van de Water