By Clancy Kress
President, CFTC

I’d like to introduce you to my best friend Ali, who unfortunately, lost her 34-year battle with breast cancer on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 2:22 p.m. Ali’s battle with breast cancer was my reason for creating CFTC.

During her last decade of life, Ali went from Stage I to Stage IV. Throughout her journey, her faithful companion, a standard poodle named Molly, was always by her side. It became evident to both of us, that our pets play a much larger part in our treatment than we could have imagined.

Ali was fortunate in the fact that had it not been for her insurance and its coverage, she would have faced inevitable financial hardship. This brought to light the significant number of women who not only lack the necessary social support, but in addition, are either uninsured or underinsured. Cancer is clearly not for the faint of heart as the financial impact is enormous. CFTC came about as a direct result of these eye opening circumstances women with breast cancer face everyday.

I had known Ali for more than half of my life. She was my son Jay’s kindergarten teacher and the person I entrusted to mold and develop his thirst for knowledge and learning in the coming years. We had as many things in common as had things that were polar opposite. Perhaps that was why we clicked from the beginning. We were there for one another through so many joys and sorrows, and celebrations.  Through the years, we laughed until our sides hurt, argued until we were exhausted, and cried until there were no tears left.

I miss our traditions and our daily phone calls, our laughter and our shopping extravaganzas. But most of all, I miss us.  I’ll do my best to spread the word about you Al and do my best to grow Critters and know you’d be proud of how far we’ve come in such a short time. We will continue to help women in need, be it financial or human support, coaching and/or guidance.

I hope they have a piano up there, wherever you may be Al, and have found Molly to keep you company now.  Thank you for checking in ever so often with me down here.  I knew you would keep that promise.