I just got off the phone with a sweet, wonderful sounding woman named Kathy. She's 54-years-old and just had surgery for breast cancer. Her prognosis is good, but her journey will be difficult. I'll be praying for her, and I have a special message for her, and anyone else reading this who's going through the kind of challenge she faces, at the end of this journal entry.

This weekend is the biggest event to raise money for breast cancer research, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk. Thousands of people -- many of them breast cancer survivors -- have been training for months and raising at least $2,000 to walk the 60 miles from the Del Mar Fairgrounds to Embarcadero Marina Park near Seaport Village. They will walk 20 miles each day, past checkpoints and water stations and along streets lined with cheering fans. They'll camp in tents each night, and Sunday evening, celebrate the achievement with a big party at the Finish Line.

I'm not physically able to walk this year, and I already committed to attend the Promise Keepers 2-day event Friday and Saturday, but you can bet I'll be there Sunday evening to welcome the walkers and thank each one for what they're doing to help find a cure for breast cancer. I have been told that many of them are honoring me by wearing my name on their shirts. I couldn't be more thankful for that fabulous tribute! And next year, I'll be walking right alongside them!

Another event next Friday, Oct. 8, is actually the biggest single-day fundraiser for Komen. It's sponsored by Lee Jeans, and it's "Denim Day." Companies which take part in the effort encourage their employees to wear jeans that day, and contribute $5 to Komen for each employee who does. If your business doesn't yet take part, click here to sign up. I'll be wearing my jeans, but you probably won't be able to see them under the news desk. At least that doesn't take any physical effort!

I always like to throw in a personal note with my journals entries, and this one has to do with my appearance. I have heard from dozens of you who said, "Don't be surprised if your hair grows back a different color and texture." Well, I figured it would grow back white, in keeping with my advanced age and state of senility. But as the picture here clearly shows, a lot of it is coming back BLACK!!!

People! I have never had BLACK HAIR! I don't know where BLACK HAIR could even come from! My hair is RED. I've spent five decades learning to live with the stigma! (Redheads, you know what I'm talkin' about here) How in the world could my body conjure up the follicles to produce BLACK HAIR?! It feels stranger to me to look in the mirror and see black hair than it did to see no hair at all.

As you can see, I'm deeply disturbed by this. Now there's not much I can do about the color, but the length is still up for discussion. Every one who has stated a preference prefers the current look -- short, even bald. But I haven't heard from those with opposing opinions. (Well, actually I did, but he had obviously had too much too drink, and kept calling me "Kojak" on the phone). So, let me know. Consider it a "straw poll." I won't be hurt if you don't like it short.

Last night I had the privilege of talking to the women who attended the Breast Cancer Survivor Night at SK Sanctuary in La Jolla. This terrific spa hosts these evenings of encouragement and pampering the last Tuesday of each month, for breast cancer survivors. One other night is devoted to men who have prostate cancer, and another is devoted to melanoma patients. It's a wonderful free service by surgeon Dr. Stephen Krant and his wife Lisa, their manager Kelly Costa-Gravitt, and their trained and talented staff; and a great way to "give back," as they say.

I was deeply touched by the stories these brave women shared, and once again I found that many of them went through their ordeal without the significant men in their lives. Many husbands and boyfriends "cut and run" when they hear "I have breast cancer." I hope to do what I can to reverse that trend, and their direction.

One thing kept running through my mind over and over while talking to them, and to Kathy this morning: "God will never leave you nor forsake you." That's right out of Deuteronomy 31:8, and again in Joshua 1:5. "The Lord Himself goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Words of great comfort, hope and promise; words which I claimed over and over during my treatment -- and which will be true forever.

-Bill