It is amazing that in this day and age, breast cancer is still such a large disease and affects so many people each year. According to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, approximately 200,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and nearly 40,000 will die from the disease.

That’s why I have decided to do something about it. On Sept. 12, 2008, along with my great friend Chris Krotky of Issaquah and my dad Jeff Decker of Bellevue, I am walking 60 miles over three days. We will walk, camp, sing, laugh, cry and most importantly, raise awareness and funds to help fight and hopefully, one day, end this disease completely.

My story may be similar to many of you. I had a friend get diagnosed with breast cancer a little over a year ago, Mary Kay Burdick. I had not really known anyone affected before. Watching the things that Mary Kay had to endure and researching what others had to go through, I knew I could not just stand by and do nothing. I had to get involved, not only to honor my good friend but to hopefully help find a cure before my daughter is old enough to be affected by it.

In our lifetime we have small opportunities to help our friends, neighbors, family members and communities. This is one small way that I am trying to make a difference.

In taking this journey I have met many others in similar situations wanting to help. If you are one of those people you can do so by going to the Web site, http://08.the3day.org/site/PageServer, signing up as a walker or donating to the cause.

To date I have raised $2,875 to help the cause and will continue to fundraise until the event is over, and then will be an advocate until the day a cure is found.

Nicole Turner

North Bend