Betty Ford's Ultimate Fight

Growing up in Michigan, I have always had a special place in my heart for the Ford family. The Ford name is a household name in these parts. It represents not only our Ford car industry but also the Detroit Lions with the National Football League.

President Ford  passed away at the age of 93, the longest ever living president! I was thrilled to be able to attend the viewing of his casket in 2006, standing in line for a chance to stand in silence in front of his American flagged draped casket and pray. I also got to sign his guest book that will forever be shown on display inside. The gun salute and the jet planes that rushed over the Grand River was something I will never forget.

We have the historically named Gerald R. Ford Museum, Library, and middle school here in Grand Rapids.  In 1999 the Kent County Airport was renamed the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in honor of our 38th President.

President Ford played football for the University of Michigan (M GO BLUE) as a center and linebacker. He helped lead the team to two consecutive undefeated teams in 1932 and 1933.  There is a statue to honor that as well out in front the museum. He was the only man to tackle the first Heisman Trophy winner Jerry Berwanger in 1934.

Growing up going to his museum with my family, I remember distinctly a larger than life space man statue in honor of us landing on the moon. This statue was recently taken down and placed into storage. In it's place now stands yet another statue of our famous president. This statue was raised up at the entrance of the museum just prior to the burial services of Betty Ford, where she came home one last time to be with her husband.

They say behind every great man is a great woman. And I guess this is where my story actually begins. Betty Ford was not your average First Lady. In 1974 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent mastectomy surgery. "When other women are diagnosed with this disease it doesn't make the headlines" she told Time Magazine. "But the fact I was the wife of the president brought before the public this particular experience I was going through. It made a lot of women realize it could happen to them." Betty Ford was one of the first public figures to discuss her breasts and her disease openly with the public and media. This was something that was never spoken of before her.

Because she had such a huge audience she brought breast cancer to the forefront of the media getting it attention like never seen before. She encouraged early detection and was a support for thousands of women. She was truly one of the first Breast Cancer advocates without even knowing what she was starting.

In 1982 Nancy Brinker founded the Susan G. Komen Foundation with the help of Betty Ford. Nancy's now famous sister Susan Komen, told Nancy that if Betty Ford could publicly talk about her diagnoses and beat it, then so could she. Betty Ford soon became a voice with Susan Komen and Nancy Brinker, helping to bring awareness to us all. When Nancy Brinker herself was diagnosed, Betty Ford was one of the first people to call to offer her love and support.

This photo is from 1982 when Betty Ford met with Nancy Brinker to help launch The Susan G. Komen foundation.

This commemorative football was given to Betty Ford from the Washington Redskins the day of her mastectomy. It is now in the Grand Rapids Museum along with a dress she wore when discussing the disease of breast cancer at her first national spotlight.

I intend to visit the museum's spotlight of her fight with Breast Cancer very soon. I will gladly share my photos with you. But one of the most important lessons for us to learn from all of this is this:  Betty Ford passed away on July 8, 2011 at the age of 93!!! Each one of us has that same fight and drive in us as she did. We too can live a long, healthy life, after breast cancer. And we all can make a voice for ourselves. With internet, blogs, facebook, and many more media available to us today, we all have an important part to play. I am trying, with the help of my Father God, to do my part. What are you doing?

From my heart to yours ~ Angie Christine