In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, we were proud to be a part of a very special initiative, the Gal to Gal Virtual Walk. We have been involved with this innovative fundraising effort since its inception two years ago, and have joined dozens of celebrities, breast cancer patients, supporters, family and friends on a 31 day virtual walk across America. All it takes is a five dollar donation (or you could donate more) and you can help grant the wishes of dozens of stage IV breast cancer patients.
The Gal to Gal Foundation, founded by Jeanne Fitzmaurice, the founder of Design her Gals, was established in honor of two women who were very close to Jeanne who lost their battle to breast cancer. The tour kicks off every year in Boston, the hometown of Jeanne’s cousin Robin and ends in San Francisco, where her dear friend, Janice lived. In fact, prior to her death, Janice helped Jeanne create the Gal to Gal Foundation by crafting the organization’s mission to help patients and families battling the final stages of breast cancer.
In 2007, Dorit Shapiro, a mom of two who had been diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, became involved with the Gal to Gal Walk when she created her gal online and encouraged friends and family to participate. In addition, Dorit shared her personal story with the local CBS affiliate in Philadelphia and then asked Jeanne how she could donate her time and energy to the cause. Over the next year, Dorit researched organizations where Gal to Gal could donate funds to assist stage IV patients. As a result, Gal to Gal partnered with Living Beyond Breast Cancer – an organization which hosts events and provides vital educational information to patients and their families. The Gal to Gal Foundation also donates funds to Making Memories, which is dedicated to granting wishes of patients battling the final stages of the disease.
In 2008, Dorit was named the President of the Gal to Gal Foundation and in honor of this appointment, the organization hosted an event in New York City where Dorit gave a heartfelt speech about her commitment to helping patients such as herself who were facing an uncertain future. Despite the fact that her health was failing, Dorit looked radiant that evening and was thrilled to be surrounded by her close family, friends and supporters who joined her for this very special occasion. Less than one week later, Dorit passed away.
It is our hope that as we enter the final week of the Gal to Gal Virtual Walk, that we honor Dorit’s memory by spreading the word about the importance of helping those individuals who were unable to catch their breast cancer diagnosis in time. There are countless women and men battling stage IV breast cancer and many no longer have the funds to pay for medical expenses or grant a final wish. We hope you’ll find it in your heart this October to touch the lives of someone who really needs your help.
Join now and create your personal gal or guy and start strutting side by side with celebrities like Martha Stewart, Kristen Chenoweth, Lisa Rinna, Larry King, Steve Covey, and Denise Richards on a cross country virtual walk across the nation. Plus, if you register a team on the site, you can also be eligible to win a 7 day all expenses paid vacation to Puerta Vallarta. The team to raise the most funds on behalf of Gal to Gal will win this lavish trip.
I hope you will find the time to use your computer keyboard for a great cause. It only takes a few minutes to join more than 3000 women and men who are on a mission to help stage IV breast cancer patients and their families. Visit GaltoGalWalk.org today and make a donation to this incredibly worthwhile cause.
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