Background
Rally for the Cure proudly celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2016. We created our “Why I Rally” series to celebrate and honor our Ambassadors who’ve supported our program over the years. “Why I Rally” allows our Ambassadors and participants to tell their story, and share their commitment and dedication in helping put an end to breast cancer. Each and every one of you makes a difference!
Why I Rally
“I Rally because I was diagnosed with a 0.6 cm cancerous tumor in August of 2008, invasive ductal carcinoma. It was caught in its earliest treatable form on my very first digital mammogram. I was diagnosed with the BRCA2 gene. After undergoing a lumpectomy, I decided to have a total hysterectomy and a bilateral mastectomy and Diep reconstruction. My breast cancer was caught early when it was extremely small on my mammogram. Since my procedures, I have been on a mission to make sure that I could help as many women as possible in whatever way I can.
For the past seven years, I have been hosting a Rally for the Cure at Heron Glen Golf Course in Ringoes, New Jersey. My hope is that our Rally event creates an awareness that our golfers share with their wives, mothers, sisters, daughters – that early detection is extremely important and that mammograms save lives. At our events, we ask how many people in the room knows someone affected by breast cancer and sadly, every hand goes up. We said that is why we are Rallying so that we could help end breast cancer forever. Also, we made mention of the fact that men also have to be aware that men do get breast cancer and that they should report any noticeable changes to their doctors. Hopefully, our golfers understand our message that every woman deserves to have basic care such as a mammogram beginning at age 40, or earlier if there is a family history. We explain that we help uninsured/underinsured women receive their mammogram and we also provide research and development. Our golfers are very receptive to the message that we were spreading and are generous in supporting our mission.
Our Rally events leave me with a tremendous feeling of joy and purpose. It is rewarding for me to know that I help many women receive something they need that they might not otherwise get because they cannot afford it. If just one woman’s life is saved because of what I do at my Rally events, then I have done my job well. I personally know better than anyone that early detection is key and feel that no woman should be forced to go without something they need.”
Kathy Petrozelli, Rally Ambassador
Heron Glen Golf Course, Ringoes, NJ