I miss her every day.

I don't have to tell anyone who has lost a parent, what a hole that creates. I don't grieve her loss every day, but I feel that hole every day. But her death from breast cancer taught me a couple of things. I am a huge advocate for getting your yearly mammograms.

My mom was the strongest person on earth, but she was afraid to get a mammogram...and didn't until it was too late. I get one every year without fail. Of all the things we have to get checked at the doctor, this isn't that bad at all. And they are fast, too! So get your mammograms every year.

Losing someone to breast cancer (or any cancer) sucks.

In my 20+ years of raising money for different organizations in Maine dedicated to lowering the rates of breast cancer or supporting those affected, I have come across some amazing stories. There are survival stories of early detection, and there are the losses of hundreds of loved ones. I have cried with strangers over the loss of someone whose time on this earth was cut way too short.  But Cans for a Cure is a positive experience with real change.

I don't walk around without noticing bottles and cans, because for (going on) 21 years, that means helping someone fight breast cancer. I yell at salespeople because someone put an empty can or bottle in their trash can. I promise not to yell if you help with Cans for a Cure. I only yell because I'm a little passionate about this fundraiser.

There are so many ways to get involved. We tried to make it easy with bottles and cans because we figured you probably had a bag lying around. So, maybe you could bring them to us so we can say thank you. Thank you for taking time out of your day to help. Every nickel raised stays here in Maine. Every dollar collected goes to the Maine Cancer Foundation and reaches every county in this big beautiful state of ours. I do Cans for a Cure for my mom...who will you do it for?