At 28, my doctor found a lump in my left breast. After two weeks of worry, an ultrasound, a mammogram, a needle biopsy and a 350-mile trip to a breast specialist - I learned that the lump was benign.

Not everyone in my family has been so fortunate.

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If I told you I'm walking a marathon and a half - 39.3 miles - over 2 days to help women with undetected breast cancer find out early enough to survive, would you support me?

I am! For the second time, I'm participating in the "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer," joining more than 3,000 women in Boston, May 3-4 2003.

We are doing this to raise awareness and funds for the disease that attacks 1 out of every 8 women. This year alone 182,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer - that's 500 women per day! Sadly, every 14 minutes the disease claims a life.

But there's something we can do to help women like my Silly Grandma and my Aunt Judy. We can give our time and money.

All the funds raised by the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade work to provide access to quality breast care for medically underserved women and to advance breast cancer research in the United States.

I'm asking you today to make a donation on behalf of my grandmother, my aunt and all of the other women fighting breast cancer. To participate in this incredible, adventurous walk to save lives, I agreed to raise $1,750 in total. I need your help to succeed.

No donation is too small ($10, $25, $50, $100 -whatever you can spare). Please open your hearts and your checkbooks.

Thank you for your support! You can make a difference in the lives of the women you know: mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, wives and girlfriends.

Sincerely,



Michelle

P.S. Contributions are tax-deductible. (SEE the "DONATE" link to learn how you can contribute.)