"A Time To Share"

The Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks (BCFO) held it's annual "A Time To Share" event on March 11. It is a time for Breast Cancer Survivors to come together and support one another but especially to give inspiration and hope to those newly diagnosed and others who want to know more about the disease. They also take a moment to honor those ladies who did not survive. Most recently, our sweet friend Angie Mallow went home to be with the Lord at age 31.

The event is directed by the ladies at The Harem & Co. and it is great fun! The day starts with speakers and a silent auction and ends with a luncheon/fashion show in which all of the models are breast cancer survivors. I first participated 2 years ago, 2 months after finishing chemo and my brain was mush, verified by the fact that I wore a bathing suit! What was I thinking?! I suppose at the time I felt like if I could get through treatment, I could do anything. Whew, thankfully that has passed.

Mary Beth O'Reilly founded the BCFO to honor a friend of hers who died of breast cancer at a very young age and Mary Beth herself is also a survivor. Their focus is helping women with financial difficulties while going through treatment. As you are probably aware, many women are young and still working and trying to run a household at the time they are diagnosed. The BCFO has also recently instituted a free mammogram program and a mentoring program. If you would like more information about the BCFO or if you want to make a donation, go to www.bcfo.org. I can tell you without a doubt that every bit of the money they raise stays in Southwest Missouri.