BUFFALO, NY, November 28, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Western New York schoolteacher and breast cancer survivor Margaret Connolly has joined over a thousand women in an inspirational and creative fundraising event to benefit the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The fundraiser takes the form of a competition "Fab Over 40". At 56 Margaret certainly has days when she feels fabulous, but a cancer battle over ten years ago left her feeling anything but fabulous.
The teacher and mother of three beat the specter of breast cancer with dedication and brilliance of doctors and staff at Roswell Park and emerged cancer free. Preferring the term warrior rather than survivor, Margaret would admit the road to gratitude is not an easy one. When asked to expand on this trial Margaret says, "A cancer journey is a terrifying confrontation with one's mortality that is also a liberation in that it clarifies all the things in life that are truly important. Freeing oneself from a sense that you are damaged or 'waiting for the other shoe to drop' is a daily battle but one that I find possible with a constant rewrite of my gratitude list. As well as being thankful for what I have been given and can give, I move forward now with a refined sense of strength in my humanity, womanhood, body and soul. That happened with a lot of work and the support of my husband of 27 years and my children." Today Margaret is saying yes to the positive and no to the negative of the world.
In that spirit of saying yes, the Buffalo native has joined the ranks of countless women who have put themselves out there to raise awareness and funds for women and families affected by breast cancer. Of course, this is personal for Margaret, but with an epidemic level of breast cancer across Erie County and the country many find this a personal mission. Last year the FabOver40 contest raised $ 1.7 million for the cause. Public voting in the form of purchased votes determines who moves up in ranks throughout the competition that began in October and will continue until a finalist is chosen in December. Thus far Margaret has placed 1st in several rounds until winning her group and going on to the quarter finals which will end on December 1 followed by semifinals and the final round ending December 15th.
Margaret expands on the contest, "I have received a lot of votes from good friends, family and coworkers. Whatever happens going forward, I have to say this has been great fun and pleases me that an organization like the National Breast Cancer Foundation will benefit. Certainly, it would be a blast to win something like this, but the journey is great. Being a private person, it takes me out of my comfort zone and I'm sure many other women feel that way as well, but knowing what women suffer with this disease makes all those concerns evaporate." The winner of "FabOver40" receives a two-page spread in New Beauty Magazine, a spa vacation and $40,000.
What would Margaret do with that prize? She responds, "With three twenty somethings and college debt you can imagine where money might go, but I also have an expanding interest in nutrition and health, especially in our older population of which I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to join and redefine. As an educator by trade, it seems only natural and sort of a duty to invest in some way to impart what I have learned on my journey and perhaps alter how we are accustomed to aging and caring for our health.
Voting for quarterfinals ends December 1st with semifinals beginning the day after. All those wishing to support Margaret and the National Breast Cancer Foundation can purchase $1 (tax deductible) votes and make daily free votes on the site.
The link for team Margaret: https://votefab40.com/2022/margaret-connolly
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