Sign Up Now for One of Southeast Minnesota’s Annual Events
Many years ago, I worked one-on-one with cancer survivors in Southeast Minnesota. Cancer has been a familiar word in my family and we've heard it way too many times. But the experiences we endured helped me empathize with each individual that I met. My job was to listen to their stories, help them identify what their goals were, and help educate them about the benefits of exercise. Modifications were usually needed due to lymph nodes being removed, multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation, and other challenges that their bodies had to face during treatment. Although every individual came with a different story and challenges, one thing was pretty consistent - the majority of people that I met were breast cancer survivors.
READ MORE: Amazing New Expansion Announced By Popular Bakery in Minnesota
During this part of my career, I met a few individuals that were part of a group in Southeast Minnesota called Join the Journey. If I could sum up in one word what they do for individuals in this area it is this = support. They ARE the person that is sitting with those who are getting chemo. They have the resources and knowledge about breast cancer because many who are serving as Pink Ribbon Mentors have been through the fight themselves.
Right now, someone is sitting at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and hearing the words "breast cancer" for the first time...and they are terrified.
Cancer doesn't care what your title is at work. It doesn't even care if you live in the town where Mayo Clinic was born. It doesn't discriminate and it will attack where it wants. In fact, back in 2019, it was estimated that about 4,740 new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed just in Minnesota.
Need a visual of that number? Take all of the students enrolled at Century High School, John Marshall High School, and Mayo High School in Rochester, and you aren't quite at 4,740 people but you are pretty close.
Thankfully, Southeast Minnesota has an amazing group of volunteers at Join the Journey that are here to help anyone that hears the devasting words, "breast cancer".
Join the Journey provides a mentoring program called Pink Ribbon Mentors, support groups, a dragon boat team that meets at Silver Lake, and several resources for patients. You can learn more about what they provide or even request support at their website: www.jointhejourney.us
Everything You Need To Know About the Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Southeast Minnesota
Join the Journey can do what they do best but only with your help. The easiest (and most exciting!) way to help this organization continue to make a positive difference for breast cancer patients is by registering for their Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk! This is the first year that the walk is happening since the pandemic and the group would love to see you join in on the fun. Here's the info to know and links for registering:
- Saturday, August 19th, 2023 at 8:00 am
- Cascade Lake Park (Get Directions Here)
- Included in your registration fee is a walk tee shirt, an entry into a merchandise raffle, access to the Vendors' Circle, a ride in a dragon boat on Cascade Lake, and the opportunity to meet someone who can help you along your journey through life.
- Register online today at: www.jointhejourney.us (registration also available day of the event)
- And...all of the money raised at this event stays right here to help those in our community!
Do you have an event coming up in Southeast Minnesota?
Every year, we help the community in a variety of ways from supporting local fundraisers, to running daily public service messages, to creating digital community campaigns and hosting events attended by thousands. Learn more about how Townsquare Media Cares here.
If you have an event coming up or work for a nonprofit in Southeast Minnesota, I'd love to learn more! Send me a note at jessica.williams@townsquaremedia.com or on my Facebook page - Jessica On The Radio.
Never Have I Ever - Minnesota Edition
More From KROC-AM
