http://www.bikesforboobs.org

I have spent this past week unable to sleep. For those of you who know me, this is pretty typical. But this deprivation of sleep has come from pure sadness. When I heard that Susan G. Komen was pulling grant funds from Planned Parenthood, I did not want to believe it. How could an organization working towards the same goal as ours make such a disturbing decision? How could politics get in the way of the fight…the promise?

I started on a journey 2 years ago to honor my best friend that was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was denied a mammogram at the age of 26 and was told to come back when she turned 40. Six months later she was diagnosed with stage 0 DCIS breast cancer. Anger drove me to do research. Research showed me there was a huge gap in funding for mammogram screenings and diagnostic procedures for women under 40. This had to change and this became MY mission; hence, Barbells for Boobs was born in April of 2010.

Barbells for Boobs’ purpose is to provide direct service funding for mammograms screening and diagnostic procedures to the underserved with a focus on those under the age of 40. As we’ve grown and developed our organization over the last 2 years, we’ve established worthwhile relationships to gain knowledge and further our understandings in breast healthcare. These relationships began with local Komen affiliates, not Komen HQ, as well as other community breast centers that believed in our mission and helped us award our first grants in 2011 to small breast health care clinics. They continued to help us develop programs nationwide to provide vital services for the underserved including support for PPH facilities in need. This is not a partnership or alliance with either entity, rather a united front to fight breast cancer and save lives. The funds that we have allocated to various local Komen affiliates from the Mammograms In Action Breast Health Care grant program will remain there – we are not withdrawing our commitment of these critical funds and we will ensure they do the work they are meant to do in support of people in need. It is my mission to stay out of these politics and focus on the true journey of saving lives.

As of today, we are so proud to say Barbells for Boobs has already made a significant impact and the work continues! In less than six months, the MIA grant program has already funded 1,950 procedures, provided services for 970 individuals and detected 25 cases of breast cancer. This is a huge success for our small organization! I am proud of everything we have accomplished thus far and so grateful for all of the support from the CrossFit community and beyond. Moving forward, Barbells for Boobs will continue to work with appropriate local organizations to ensure our funds will be utilized in the right clinics including PPH. We are not stopping. This is just the beginning.

So, today I am focused and re-energized to do the work that needs to be done. Work that I knew had to be done 2 years ago. I am proud to wear my Barbells For Boobs shirts and bear my hot pink colors in the gym and on the street. We are athletes willing to suffer, fight and give back; let’s not let these women down.

My goal is that a woman should never have to see her best friend go through what I saw mine go through. No one should be denied; every man and woman deserves the opportunity to be screened for breast cancer and we have the ability to take action and reach thousands of underserved individuals nationwide. So grab a barbell or ride your bike. Show us your strength and we’ll show you ours. Be proactive and help us Save a Pair. Save a Life.