By Diane Groff

When I was little, I loved the color pink. I am the youngest of three and the only girl. We lived in four different homes with each new bedroom getting painted a richer color of pink. And now, 52 years old, I again find comfort in pink, at every Susan G. Komen event that I have the honor of attending.

The most challenging aspect of being in the community of survivors is the fact that breast cancer is such a random disease…and to see my friends with a reoccurrence is the most difficult piece to understand. You can do everything “right”… eat right, exercise, think positive thoughts, and be a contributing member of society… and yet breast cancer can come knocking at the door of your heart and demand attention.

I am a two-time survivor, had bilateral breast cancer that took two-and-a-half-years to find the second lump on the opposite breast. That was eight years ago and now the early detection methods are much more comprehensive.

I find much hope in knowing that private funding from Susan G.Komen, which in 2009 includes $25.7 million being given in research to accelerate Breast Cancer Cures, Eliminate Disparities and Improve Diagnoses.

We need to find a cure, we need to race for a cure and we need it now!