In June 1996, my younger sister Emily died of breast cancer. She was only 35.
In the earlier part of that year, Em attended a conference and connected us with an amazing woman who ran an organization that focused on not just the hereditary, but also the environmental links to breast cancer. We learned that Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) – at that time named Breast Cancer Fund – was planning to hold its first annual hike in October to raise funds for breast cancer prevention.
At that point, I had also been diagnosed with breast cancer. I was going through radiation and chemo before that. Em and I had also lost a cousin to breast cancer and our mother to ovarian. Back then, doctors were reluctant to do blood tests to see if patients carried the BRCA gene. Eventually, I did get tested and discovered I carry the gene, as do 10 other family members on my mother’s side. Luckily my daughter does not have the gene.
Even so, less than 10% of breast cancer cases are linked solely to family history. So, what other factors are increasing our risk? What can we do to eliminate those other factors and prevent preventable breast cancer?
After Em’s passing, my family and I were committed to honoring her life. I gathered my family and put together a team of 22 people to participate in BCPP’s first annual event – then known as Peak Hike. We named ourselves Team Em the Gem, fundraised, laced up our hiking boots, and climbed Mt. Tamalpais.
It was the most amazing day, and everybody loved it. I don’t even remember if they fed us that first year, but it was much smaller event back then. Every year, it has grown and become more organized and sophisticated. At one point, the food was so phenomenal that we even asked the caterers to cater for my niece’s wedding.
Since then, I’ve participated in and led a team every year at BCPP’s Peak Hike (except for the year I had my double mastectomy. But my team hiked on!). Some years, it was a team of 8. Others, it’s been a team of over 62! Team Em the Gem is the only team that has participated in all 30 annual hikes.
Hiking for prevention is so empowering. It feels like you’re actually doing something about this epidemic. I had so much admiration for Andrea Martin, the founder of BCPP and woman we met all those years ago at the conference, and believe she was truly onto something when she founded this organization focused on prevention. Though my family suffers from genetic predisposition, many women don’t. By participating in Peak Hike (now known as Hike for Prevention), I feel like I’m getting the word out to people. They see me and think about breast cancer, checking their risk, and what they can do to prevent the disease.
BCPP is on the right track to preventing breast cancer. From the BPA lining in cans, PFAS in our cookware, formaldehyde in our nail polish, microplastics in our skincare – BCPP has been a leader in identifying and eliminating toxic chemicals in our everyday lives that are linked to breast cancer and other health harms. BCPP has had so much impact in passing health-protective legislation, pushing safer market-based change, and getting the word out.
I’m proud to have supported this organization over the past three decades. Together, Team Em the Gem has raised over $260,000 for breast cancer prevention.
Even though I’m retiring from my role as Team Em the Gem leader, I’ll still be supporting BCPP from the sidelines. And I’m sure my many Em the Gem team members will continue this important work of elevating and supporting breast cancer prevention.
You too, could take up the mantle! There’s still time to join Hike for Prevention and walk a path towards a breast-cancer free future.
Warmly,
Kaki Saxon Moyce.
Registered nurse.
Two-time breast cancer survivor.
Team Em the Gem Leader.
