Fundraiser Planned for Brighton Breast Cancer Advocate

In the fight against breast cancer, one local woman has made it her mission to help stop the “business as usual” mentality and help put an end to the deadly disease. 

Sherri Richards, a member of the Michigan Breast Cancer Coalition will be traveling to Washington D.C. as part of the “Ladies that Lobby” event, which will take place in May 2014, with the goal to advocate for continued breast cancer funding, research and prevention.

It’s an approach that Richards calls “rewarding” in the sense that “nothing can change unless we show up.” 

“As much as I would love to wiggle my nose and take the pain away, I can’t do that,” Richards said. “But at least I know that this is working to do everything possible at the core.” 

On June 20, a “Peel Back the Pink” fundraiser will be held to raise funds to help send Richards to D.C. for her 4-day mission.

The open house will take place at the home of Sue Johnston, 9107 Blue Ridge Drive in Brighton, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and attendees are asked to RSVP at 734-546-8589 and all proceeds raised will go towards the “Ladies the Lobby” event.

Spending time in the nation’s capitol, Richards and other advocates will meet with local lawmakers with the goal of not only asking for support for upcoming legislation, but also help educate on current research that helps fight the battle. 

Being an advocate is simply a different path, according to Richards, with the same goal of helping to stop the pain and sadness of individuals and families affected by breast cancer.

“It’s not treating the symptoms,” Richards said. “It’s not buying the wig or buying the bra, or helping to get people to their treatments. It’s saying let’s end this from the get-go.”

One piece of current research Richards says will be celebrated and discussed is the deadline for the 2020 vaccine that takes “a strategic, systematic, yet broad approach to the design of a five-year development plan for a breast cancer preventive vaccine,” according to the National Breast Cancer Coalition's website.