I am an ‘Ambassador' for the Susan G Komen for the Cure organization for Oregon and SW Washington. I represent Komen and talk about breast health and the charity at women health fairs, women related charity events, corporate health fairs, etc. Often after I do one of these events, I feel I get so much more than I give. I get the volunteer rush and glow!
Corporate health fairs are rising. It makes perfect sense to have healthy employees if the company is picking up the cost of their health insurance. Charities like Komen are volunteer and have trained speakers to talk about the disease, prevention, treatment, and knowledge.
I prefer to do a health fair rather than a power point presentation or a lunch and learn because it is more a one on one conversation. Much of the conversation is the attendee sharing his or her story about how breast cancer touched their lives. Sooner or later, I am welling up with tears listening to their stories.
At the most recent health fair I attended, a woman told me her story. Her family fled their homeland during the Vietnam War and went to France, Belgium and the United States. A family of four children, parents and grandparents were separated and scattered. Financially it was difficult to reconnect. Years later when this woman became a Mother and her children wanted to do a family tree she discovered breast cancer had killed her Mother and sister, and possibly her Grand Mother. She is a survivor. She is an advocate for her children. Her philosophy is death is a part of life and we must enjoy life while we are able. I was truly moved by her courage. Meeting and listening to this remarkable woman was just one of the honors I share with being a volunteer.
www.komen.org