October. The rest of the country might be sipping Pumpkin Spice Lattes and watching the colors change to oranges; but around here, it’s a time to THINK PINK! Pink ribbon, that is.
According to the American Cancer Society, Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States (other than skin cancer). Nearly all of us know someone whose life has been turned upside down by a breast cancer diagnosis. The good news is that since the pink ribbon’s adoption a symbol for the breast cancer cause in 1992, awareness has skyrocketed and millions of women are surviving the disease.
What can you do to THINK PINK this October? We have two suggestions.
First, be informed. Take the time to learn about breast cancer and early detection. The American Cancer Society website is a wellspring of information and has links so that you can consider volunteering and donating to the cause. As well, the Florida Breast Cancer Foundation has information about events specific to the Orlando area.
Second, let Breast Cancer Awareness Month serve as a reminder to all of us that sometimes bad things do happen. Despite our best efforts, sometimes the unthinkable diagnosis becomes a reality. When those moments do come, we can’t underscore enough how important it is to have an estate plan. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy. It’s for those among us who have any assets at all. It’s our opportunity to make sure our finances continue to accomplish our goals even after we pass on. It’s also a gift to the family and friends we leave behind.
This first-hand testimony from the Forbes website continues to inspire us as we serve our clients and seek to insure a smooth transition for families who are grieving. The author outlines her personal story of handling her father’s estate after he died from colon cancer. She shares that “The most unexpected financial lesson my father taught me came after he passed away. I am the executor of his estate. My dad was always a planner, but the things he did to make this process easier are amazing. I feel compelled to share them with just about everyone I know.” (To read her full, inspiring story yourself, check it out at Reader Story: What My Father’s Death Taught Me about Estate Planning.)
We realize that estate planning is never an easy topic. For one thing, it’s personal. For another, it feels a little morbid. Conversations about the details surrounding death take a lot of courage. But, they can also help avoid surprises, lead to better financial planning and promote family harmony.
Last Updated on April 18, 2017 by The Orlando Law Group