September 1, 2008
Never
doubt
that a small
group of thoughtful,
committed citizens
can change the world;
indeed it is the only
thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead
Anthropologist
 A "small group of thoughtful, committed citizens" accurately describes those who are currently working to achieve the mission of the Breast Health & Healing Foundation.
Every day we awake with enthusiasm for the tasks at hand, daunting though they may be. Our dearest wish, to discover the causes of breast cancer and to use that knowledge to prevent the disease, is exactly what defines our actions. We respect this mission and we cherish this mission, and we fully intend to accomplish it.
Every mission needs a goal to focus the collective effort and direct the work. When Mark Phelps traveled to Beijing, he did not set out merely to do his best, but rather to win the Gold in every event in which he competed.
Edwin Locke demonstrated thirty years ago that those who "do their best" are not as successful as those who first set goals and then work to achieve them. With that important lesson in mind the Foundation has set its first goal: to reduce the number of new cases of breast cancer by 50% within 5 years. Indeed, this is an ambitious goal. Nevertheless it is worth aiming for and I firmly believe it is within our grasp.
We of the Foundation intend to work individually and as a group, in a catalytic and collaborative manner, to reach this goal together. If we fall short of our mark we will not count it a failure if we can prevent even one woman from getting breast cancer in the next five years. I am fully confident we can do that, and more. Our goal is to get to 50% - to cut the new cases of breast cancer in half. We want both the Gold and the world record, just like our Jamaican hero, Usain Bolt.
To learn more about the philosophy that informs our intentions and our optimism, I refer you to my first book, The Mind Is A Force That Matters. You will soon be able to find it here on the Foundation website and also at Amazon.com.
May the force be us: may the force be you.
Regards,
Kathleen T. Ruddy, MD
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