---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1999 07:40:25 -0400
From: Paul I. Roda, M.D., F.A.C.P. <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [HEM-DR] Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 > >A handsome, middle aged man walked quietly into the
 > >cafe and sat down. Before he ordered, he couldn't help
 > >but notice a group of younger men at the table next to
 > >him.  It was obvious they were making fun of something
 > >about him, and it wasn't until he remembered he was
 > >wearing a small pink ribbon on the lapel of his suit
 > >that he became aware of what the joke was all about.
 > >
 > >The man brushed off the reaction as ignorance, but the
 > >smirks began to get to him.  He looked one of the rude
 > >men square in the eye, placed his hand beneath the
 > >ribbon and asked, quizzically "This?".
 > >
 > >With that the men all began to laugh out loud.  The
 > >man he addressed said, as he fought back laughter,
 > >"Hey, sorry man, but we were just commenting on how
 > >pretty your little ribbon looks against your blue
 > >jacket!"
 > >
 > >The middle aged man calmly motioned for the joker to
 > >come over to his table, and invited him to sit down.
 > >As uncomfortable as he was, the guy obliged, not
 > >really sure why.  In a soft voice, the middle aged man
 > >said, "I wear this ribbon to bring awareness about
 > >breast cancer.
 > >
 > >I wear it in my mother's  honor."
 > >
 > >"Oh, sorry dude.  She died of breast cancer?"
 > >
 > >"No, she didn't. She's alive and well.  But her
 > >breasts nourished me as an infant, and were a soft
 > >resting place for my head when I was scared or lonely
 > >as a little boy. I'm very grateful for my mother's
 > >breasts, and her health."
 > >
 > >"Umm", the stranger replied, "yeah".
 > >
 > >"And I wear this ribbon to honor my wife", the middle
 > >aged man went on.
 > >
 > >"And  she's okay, too?", the other guy asked.
 > >
 > >"Oh, yes.  She's fine.  Her breasts have been a great
 > >source of loving pleasure for both of us, she nurtured
 > >and nourished our beautiful daughter 23 years ago.  I
 > >am  grateful for my wife's breasts, and for her
 > >health."
 > >
 > >"Uh huh.  And I guess you wear it to honor your
 > >daughter, also?"
 > >
 > >"No.  It's too late to honor my daughter by wearing
 > >it now.  My daughter died of breast cancer one month
 > >ago.  She thought she was too young to have breast
 > >cancer, so when she accidentally noticed a small lump,
 > >she ignored it.  She thought that since it wasn't
 > >painful, it must not be anything to worry about."
 > >
 > >Shaken and ashamed, the now sober stranger said, "Oh,
 > >man, I'm so sorry mister".
 > >
 > >"So, in my daughter's memory, too, I proudly wear this
 > >  little ribbon, which allows me the opportunity to
 > >enlighten others.
 > >
 > >Now, go home and talk to your wife and your daughters,
 > >your mother and your friends.
 > >
 > >And here . . ."  The middle aged man reached in his
 > >pocket and handed the other man a little pink ribbon.
 > >The guy looked at it, slowly raised his head and
 > >asked, "Can ya help me put it on?"
 > >
 > >This is breast cancer awareness month.  Do regular
 > >breast self-exams and have annual mammograms if you
 > >are a woman over the age of 45.  And encourage those
 > >women you love to do the same. Please send this on to
 > >anyone you would like to remind of the importance of
 > >breast cancer awareness.
 > >