June 23, 2004   Hello! My name is Beth Santos and I am a senior at Oyster River High School. This year, two of my friends and I will be walking the three-day Breast Cancer Walk in Boston. The walk lasts from July 30- August 1st, and is 60 miles long. Each participant needs to raise at least $2,000 in order to walk, but my friends and I want to reach further than that. For this reason I am asking for your help. This year, 215,990 women will develop breast cancer and 40,110 women (not to mention 470 men) will die from it. It is one of the leading causes of death among women in the United States, and currently has no known cure. Funds from this walk benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, which funds breast cancer research and treatment, as well as the National Philanthropic Trust for breast cancer initiatives. The numbers among breast cancer victims are so high that nearly everybody knows someone who has or has had breast cancer. My mother’s good friend, Sharon, is one of these women afflicted with the disease. Though Sharon currently lives in another state, she was a very important member of my childhood, and her sons have been my friends. It is completely unfair for a human being to have to be put through so much chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and seemingly endless pain. It is unfair for a family to have to worry so much, and, with many families, to have to endure the death of a loved one. To me, the most unfair part of all is the fact that we can find a cure, but haven’t yet. However, we must press onward so that we may end all of the pain. To do this, we each need to carry our load. The walk costs $85. Adding this to the $2,000 that I already need to fundraise makes the sum into a pretty penny. But this is a necessary step that I must take in order to help save the lives of people like Sharon, and for this reason, I am asking you to take a step as well and support me. Please donate to such a worthy cause- to help your friends and neighbors in their fights. Donations are tax refundable and can be made out to Breast Cancer 3-day. I’ve also enclosed a form for you to fill out and mail with your contribution, or you can donate online at http://helpbeth.cjb.net.   Thank you for your time,   Beth Santos   P.S. For more information, you can visit the Breast Cancer Walk’s website at http://www.the3day.org.