Why Walk Saturday in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Oct. 25th?

Because of my granddaddy, Daddy, I have become active with the American Cancer Society. I asked my good friend Ronni to share her story here today.

By Veronica Gliatti
Breast cancer kills.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in American.
1 out of 4 women will be diagnosed and 1 out of 3 in the state of Tennessee with breast cancer.
Infant girls are born every day without the foresight to know what they might be facing in the years to come.

To eradicate cancer, all types, the key is awareness for prevention and funds to research cures. This walk, Saturday, sponsored by the American Cancer Society is to accomplish both. It is aptly called Making Strides against Breast Cancer.

I waited to get involved in this after the fact, after I began treatment for cancer. I have been in treatment since October 2007 and will not completely finish till November of 2008. Do you want to make that same mistake?

I got the news I had a cancerous tumor in my right breast in September 2007. My life was forever changed. Thus began a year with marks on my calendar for doctor appointments, surgeries and chemo therapy sessions. I could not work, could not function without the aid of many drugs to combat the side effects of the drugs needed to kill any remaining cancer cells in my body after a mastectomy. I kept waiting for what the media calls, ‘the good drugs’ but they never came. The reality of battling cancer is to kill a bad cell; many good cells get killed in the process. Along the way, the spirit gets spit on too.

Thus, I choose to take on this cause, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research. My goal is simply that, to make the future prognosis of this horrible disease easier, more timely and the cure within our reach. Each dollar counts, each person walking represents another survivor and every few represent another death at the hands of this diagnosis.

My team is called Make Some Noise. I believe we must all do this, start a chorus that can be heard by everyone, near and far that sings of hope, and of live. Please care enough about this issue to give it a moment of your time; a dollar from your pocket change makes us one step closer to a cure.

If you wait till the day you hear the words “You have cancer” you may have waited a second too long! We need to recognize this disease causes financial hardship on families, an emotional drain on marriages and a killing of the spirit of live. Please walk with me, if not ‘in person’ do it in spirit - in the memory of all the lives that have been lost battling breast cancer in the wonderful land of the free.

Let 's here it for the girls!

Thursday night, several business owners got together to help promote breast cancer awareness and to support a fellow business woman, Veronica Gliatti (Ronni). Nearly a thousand dollars were raised in Veronica's name. Ronni and I are networking maniacs and share the same views about the importance of relationships as you grow your business. I fell in love with her zest and zeal for life. She defies her circumstances and is still undergoing chemo. Ronni is determined to live life to the fullest. She shares her story, victories and struggles, with as many as she can as often as she can. Her ten month old granddaughter, Ava, is one of her greatest motivators to keep fighting the good fight. The bond between Ronni and Ava was obvious to everyone as Ronni spoke to the group about her passion for life and determination to inform others how important it is to raise money for research for new drugs to help cure this dreadful disease.

Because of my dad's mom battle with breast cancer many, many years ago, this is my second year being engaged in the cause.

Recently, Ronni started blogging to chronicle her journey to become employed again. She is courageous to stand strong and proud and shout to the world that I am a survivor. She is a survivor not damaged. Ronni is walking this year in the American Cancer Society's 'Making Strides Walk'. Her team is fittingly called "Make some Noise". Ronni is making much noise about life and living.

Check her blog out at http://www.ronnirants.blogspot.com
Photos and Poster by Scott Thomas

Veronica Gliatti

When I lost my grandfather last year, I could barely utter the word CANCER. It had taken two of my grandparents. My paternal grandmother, Rosie, and my maternal grandfather, affectionately known to the world as "Daddy". I was six years old when I was told to "sit and watch your grandmother." Yeah, I know, my folks would be locked up today. I would sit in a little chair and read to her until they would come back. I only knew she was sick and was in pain. One day, I saw the bandage on her chest and the open sore on what should have been a breast and I can recall that scene as if it was yesterday.

After I turned forty, I was given the news that Daddy had cancer. That was a blow to me. I was still recovering from Hurricane Alexis and now Daddy's cancer. I wondered had God already sentenced me to hell. I went home for a visit in October '06 and was shocked and dismayed at his health. I decided to stay and moved in with my grandparents until his death in January '07. Caring for my grandfather allowed me to share his last days with him. I never imagined returning to Mississippi for anything more than a few days. And there I was staying in the room with my grandfather and loving every minute of it. The pain was excruciating and it reminded me of being six years old again watching someone die and feeling helpless and lost.

After my grandfather passed, I came back to Nashville exhausted but determined to not run from my experiences but to offer encouragement where I could.

Last week, I was at the kick off breakfast for the American Cancer Society annual 'Making Strides' event here in Nashville. Veronica Gliatti was the spokesperson for the event. I had recently meet Veronica at a networking group in Brentwood. She was the first person who greeted me when I walked through the door. She was bubbly and kind and I was instantly drawn to her. After the meeting started and introductions were made, she announced that she would be speaking at the ACS breakfast. She shared that she was a breast cancer survivor but she was still undergoing chemo. I felt an instant bond with her. The event was already on my calendar but I put a star by the date to remind myself.

Veronica and I meet again two weeks later and the meeting this time was as strong and encouraging as the first time I met her. She reminded everyone of her breakfast. I felt as if I was being urged to go from some thing other than my daytimer. I reminded her that I wanted to go and she stated that she and several others would be riding together. I was invited along.

We met the next morning at 6:40 and I was fighting back tears the entire time. What I was witnessing was people coming together to offer support for someone that was battling cancer. I had not known any of them very long but I felt as if we all wanted to hold hands. The banter in the SUV was fun and we all talked none stop. The event was held at the Wild Horse and was packed with women and men. Veronica spoke from her heart and you could feel the electricity in the air. My heart was with her but my mind drifted several times to both of my grandparents. Tears slipped out no matter how I tried to be a big girl. I glanced over at Renee' Pazouki and Sherry Marlow, friends of Veronica and women I met while networking as well, and I knew I was not along with my tears. Veronica's husband was in the middle of all these strong women, holding his own and the pride of seeing his wife share her life with hundreds was obvious.

Veronica reminded me that the fight is not over until it is over. I counted my blessing and thanked God that I got to spend time with my grandfather. I sent my grandmother (mom's mom) a card and told her I loved her. I admitted for the first time in my life that I was afraid of the disease that took the lives of my love ones. I even thank God for the networker from hell, because if it was not for her, I would not have shared that wonderful moment with Veronica.

Oh yeah, I scheduled my mammogram too. Thank you Veronica. I know Daddy was with us.