Most people that know me will describe me as a generous person. And when it comes to breast cancer causes, I give not just money but my time and spirit. I guess part of me feels like the more I give, the closer we can get to a cure.

Now, don't get me wrong, I do my homework. Charitynavigator.com is a site I use often to help me decide which organization I want to partner with. And I am so excited, thrilled even, to know how my contribution makes a difference.

With that perspective, you can imagine my elation upon reading about the Young Survival Coalition's achievements this year, whose core mission is to increase the quality and quantity of life for young women affected by breast cancer. Let me share some of it with you:

• Co-hosted, with Living Beyond Breast Cancer, the 7th Annual Conference for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer, bringing together more than 800 young women diagnosed with breast cancer

• Distributed 5,000 ResourceLink Guidebooks to young women diagnosed with breast cancer, providing them with valuable information and hundreds of resources at their finger tips

• Launched the Spanish version of www.youngsurvival.org

• Organized the first annual retreat for young women living with Stage IV breast cancer, giving them critical peer support and information on living with breast cancer as a chronic disease

• Provided young women diagnosed with breast cancer with peer support matches through our Point of Contact program

• Increased the reach of our website by 10%, with more than 1,700 visits a day and more than 80,000 visits per month

• Delivered 1,000 Newly Diagnosed Kits to young women diagnosed with breast cancer through our grassroots affiliate and community volunteer group program

Wow – I LOVE knowing how my contribution has helped achieve results! It inspires me, as I sit down to formulate my giving strategy. And to inspire me further, the YSC arms me with additional information:

• Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in women ages 15-54.¹

• More than 16,000 women under age 45 will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year.²

• The five-year relative survival rate for women under 40 when diagnosed is 82%, lower than the 89% for women diagnosed at age 40 and older.³

¹ NCI Fact Book 2006

²American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2007-08

³American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Facts and Figures 2007-08

Helping me understand what has been done and then what is left to be done gets my attention. Making it easy for me to understand how to impact the future gets my attention as well:

Your $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 donation will allow the YSC to continue to be the voice for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. You will help the YSC ensure that no young women feel isolated or alone, and they receive the needed peer support, information and resources to best navigate their breast cancer experience.

Showing your support has never been easier. Make your donation today by visiting www.youngsurvival.org or calling us at (646) 257-3000 , and we will be more than happy to assist you over the phone.

So whether it's this particular appeal that gets your attention, or another equally well crafted appeal, please let part of your giving strategy include addressing breast cancer's cure as you consider your year end giving strategy.

Thank you!