Hello Ladies (and any Gentlemen that frequent this board),

You have not seen me as a regular poster on this board, but I have
been here, reading your posts for inspiration and motivation. I am a
walker in the Avon 3 Day for Breast Cancer in Chicago, and your posts
help me see past the blisters and training, and 60 miles I will be
walking. By reading your words of strength I am reminded of why and
who I am doing this for; for women like you who have been touched by
breast cancer, and for women like myself who I wish to protect from
ever having to experience it.

I am a young woman of 20 (although I look about 15), and luckily have
yet to know anyone with breast cancer. When I was 19 however, I had
an ovary removed due to cysts, and this is one of my motivations in
participating in the 3-Day. Before, I thought I was young and
invincible, I now know differently. I am walking so that I can help
educate other young women and let them know they too are susceptible
to breast cancer, and other so-called "women's cancers"

I know that I am a stranger to all of you, but I am writing to ask
for your help. If you knew me, you would know this is difficult for
me to do. I feel almost embarrassed to send this letter to you all. I
feel selfish and unworthy to be addressing this to all of you brave
and strong individuals.

To participate in the 3-Day I must raise $1900 by June 13 (May 17 is
my deadline, but I can collect funds until the day of the walk). I
have been fundraising since February and haven't even come close to
this mark. I have written friends and family, and friends of friends
and family. I have contacted businesses and professionals, and even
sat outside of Wal-Mart and grocery stores to collect funds. I have
done fundraisers at my workplace as well as the workplaces of friends
and family members. I have also appeared on the local Fox news and in
three separate local newspapers, with little result. I am a full time
student and also work an off-campus job, so finding time to do all of
this is not always easy. So, you see, I have been trying very hard,
yet to no avail.

I am miles away from my minimum, which is keeping me from
participating in an event I have trained physically and emotionally
daily for, for months. I am not asking for much, but if anyone could
send $5 or $10 my way, that would give me a little hope that I can
achieve this goal. I would hate to fail after coming so far and
working so hard.

If you would like to donate you can do so online at
www.bethepeople.com, you will need to know that I am Sativa Young,
Walker 7814, Chicago 2002.

Thank you all for your inspiration and motivation. I couldn't have
made it this far without you. Feel free to email me at
tivaclare@... if you have any questions or would like to know
more about this walk.

God Bless,

Sativa Young

(If this message is deemed unacceptable for this board, I apologize.
Feel free to remove it if I have posted in error.)