‘Big or small, let’s save them all.’ Thank you, Riverwalk.

Let’s talk about a subject none of us wants to talk about: the big “C.”

I’m a lucky woman. My family has no history of breast cancer (knock wood). Our big “C” malady is skin cancer, and sun block is my friend.

But as a woman who knows a lot of other women, the subject of breast cancer is never far from our minds or lips. We all know woman we love who have survived the disease. Most of us also know women who haven’t.

Cristin, a co-worker of mine several years back, was in her late 20s when she contracted a particularly virulent strain of breast cancer. Despite the best treatment her insurance and her family and friends could afford, it metastasized quickly to her liver and then to her bones and brain.

From diagnosis to death was less than a year for a beautiful, vibrant and loving woman who had barely begun her life, her marriage and a promising career. Cristin’s big heart and broad smile was always on display: Two weeks before she passed, she gave me a big hug the morning after my cat died. She didn’t ask permission—I was the one who needed a hug at that moment.

It’s always about one woman at a time, fighting with all her heart to survive. It’s always about our mother, our sister, our friend or ourselves, and all our energy gets laser focused on making it through.

Statistically, one in eight of us will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of our lives, meaning the cancer will invade healthy tissues outside of the breast. About 85 to 90 percent of all breast cancers happen as a part of the aging process: two-thirds of breast cancers occur in women over age 55.

Genetics, as in inherited risks, play a part (the risk is higher if your grandmother, mother or sisters developed it) as do lifestyle factors. Weight, exercise, alcohol intake, foods we eat and smoking all have roles to play in our risk of developing and surviving the disease. Rates of breast cancer are highest in white women, but African American women tend to develop more aggressive types at earlier ages. They’re more likely to die of the disease, too.

Just being a woman is the biggest risk of all, though, and that one is out of our control. While it’s true that men also develop breast cancer, they account for less than 1 percent of the more than 330,000 new cases in the U.S. this year. That’s not to minimize their suffering: Some 2,550 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Still, for women, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer.

But breast cancer isn’t about statistics for those of us fighting the disease or those of us supporting the women fighting it. It’s always about one woman at a time, fighting with all her heart to survive. It’s always about our mother, our sister, our friend or ourselves, and all our energy gets laser focused on making it through.

Here’s the good news: Breast cancer mortality rates have declined steadily over the years. Today, nearly 90 percent of women diagnosed with breast cancer will survive to live at least another five years after diagnosis. As with almost any cancer, the earlier it’s found, the better the outcome. Survival at Stage 1 is 100 percent. At Stage 4, it drops to 22 percent.

Early detection is key, as well as continued research into the disease. Decades ago, a rise in cancers found early with increased numbers of mammograms corresponded with a drop in cancer mortality rates. Then, a big drop in breast cancers among older women occurred when the connection was made between hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer.

Every year, more research results in more lives saved. And while lots of folks find objections to pink ribbons and the marketing of awareness events, the bottom line is that more money directed toward research means a better outcome sooner.

Each year for the past 12 years, Riverwalk Casino Hotel has collected bras throughout the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For every bra collected, Riverwalk has donated $1 to the American Cancer Society. Then, in November, those bras are strung across the Old Vicksburg Bridge to make sure no one misses the message.

I’m all in favor of doing brave, in-your-face things to call attention to important issues. Bras Along the Bridge is just such an event. It’s more than appropriate to display what supports the girls to, well, support the girls. Last year’s event raised $11,612.

You still have time to donate your bras, which will be collected through Oct. 31. Raggedy or pristine, their condition doesn’t matter. You can find all the drop off locations at this link: https://www.riverwalkvicksburg.com/bras-along-the-bridge-2019/.

Then, on Saturday, Nov. 2, come out to walk the bra-lined bridge and see Riverwalk present a big, fat check to help find a cure.

Do it for yourself and for every woman in your life. Big or small, let’s save them all.