When I arrived home from work I began preparing for my Relay's Wrap-Up Party. I really did not have anything to do, but I needed to change and wanted to check my e-mail. Natually I ended up checking the www.RelayForLife.org website. I found myself reading a blog, Mission Matters- October, 2007. Fight Back Against Breast Cancer, written by Kelli Barry. (If you have not already read Kelli's blog, it is loaded with lots of information and I recommend reading it.) I looked at the clock and I had some time before the conference call would begin.

As I called the toll-free number I realized I still had to copy the photos from our Relay for my Event Chairperson. I was the first one on the call and told it would be silent until another person joined. I plugged headphones into my phone and placed one earpiece in my ear. Soon after a couple of voices joined in saying hello.

I will have to be honest, I did not catch the names of those I was talking to. I believe one was Kelli and know the other was from Michigan. Although I have signed up for Track Chats, this is the first conference call I have been on. We chit-chatted for a couple of minutes before getting into the information.

Distracted by copying photos and cruched for time before the Relay Wrap-Up Party, I missed a few of the details of the call. However, I did pick up on some important things. Only 1 in 5 women eligible for mammograms are funded by the federal government. Some of the major contributing risk factors for breast cancer are:

• Age (75% of diagnosed cases are aged 50 and above)
• Family History (genetic predispostion especially on the maternal side)
• Post Menopausal Obesity & Weight Gain
• Diet & Nutrition

People maintaining healthy eating habits reduce their risk to breast cancer and all other forms of cancer.

As in her blog, Kelli told us about a free mammogram reminder at www.cancer.org/MammogramReminder.

About halfway through the call I finished copying photos and jumped into my car heading across town to the Wrap-Up Party.

After being informed about breast cancer, we talked a little about tobacco and the Great American Smokeout which is held in November. We were informed the next Mission Matters conference call will be held on November 13, 2007 and after a little more chit-chat we ended the call.

I arrived at the Wrap-Up Party right on time. It was great to see all the wonderful committee members and team captains who helped make our Relay such a success. Our staff partner went over the numbers for our event:

• Over $65,000 gross income (the money is still coming in)
• 29 Teams
• 111 Registered Survivors
• Approx. 1000 Luminarias
• 25 Tiki Torches (part of the Luminaria Ceremony)

When I was finally given the floor I spoke about the Relay for Life website. I informed them about the wealth of information that can be found in the Relay Library as well as on the forums. I encouraged everyone to join.

Because our Relay is so late in the season, we will not implement the Fight Back program until late next year. Our community does not need to wait so long! I told them about my pledge and asked them to make the pledge themselves!