Married 52 years, 3 sons, 4 grandchildren
75 years old
Huron, Ohio

In August 2009 I found a lump in my breast, even though I had no history of cancer in my family. I had always been healthy, active (tennis, water ski) and lean. I was stunned. Looking back now I attribute it to the synthetic progesterone I was on for 11 years.

When I went into that first lecture about vitamin D I was so confused and lost because no one knew how you get cancer, and no one can promise a cure. This left me without hope. I could not imagine how I was going to pull myself through this disease, and if I did how I would deal with the fear of its return. A lot of women say that you have to accept that cancer will return. I did not want to live that way. 

Hearing a lecture on vitamin D gave me hope that I was doing something that was good, that was preventive. I couldn't make other changes (eating, exercise) - I was already doing those things. This was one of the things I could change that would make a difference. 

After my lumpectomy I did the full six weeks of radiation, but with a low oncotype I had no chemotherapy. I was on tamoxifen for almost 5 years, but finally came off due to side effects, which went away within three months of stopping the medication.

My vitamin D level ranges from 50-60 ng/ml. I am currently cancer-free and I feel healthy. Fingers crossed!!

I take a minimum of 2,000 IU/day. If it is cloudy or cold I take more. I make an effort to be out every day for 20-30 minutes without sunscreen. If I think I am coming down with a cold I take 8,000 IU.

Do your research. Do your homework.

My whole family is currently getting tested regularly and takes vitamin D. I have taught them to know their numbers, and not just take the doctor's word for it that their vitamin D is "fine". 

One of the key pieces of evidence for my family was my husband (I guess my story wasn't enough...). After retirement he worked as a concierge of a water park. All the interaction with the public he would get cold after cold. I kept telling him to take vitamin D - since that helped me virtually eliminate colds. After 3 months of suffering he did - and since then he has rarely gotten sick.

• want an independent test of vitamin D
• want a test in the comfort of their home
• don't have insurance
• want to support GrassrootsHealth

• Serum levels greater than or equal to 40 ng/ml decrease pregnancy comorbidities
• Serum levels from 20-100 ng/ml have no association with kidney stones
• Serum levels over 40 ng/ml are associated with a 60% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• Serum levels of 40-60 ng/ml may provide a significant reduction in breast cancer risk

It is easy to let life creep up on you and get behind. There have been times when I have been behind in testing my family for vitamin D. This month we are trying to give you a reason to catch up. We are offering a discounted rate that is lower than anywhere else on the Internet. 

Your test will make a difference. If every one of you re-enters D*action, even if you suspect you are sufficient, and gets one more friend to enter their data - we would double our database.

If everyone continues testing regularly for 2-5 more years, we could report on many conditions such as cold/flus. I suspect many of you have already lowered your colds through a vitamin D level greater than 40ng/ml. But I wonder... if we had all the data... for 10,000 people over 5 years... testing every 6 months... what would be the percentage reduction of cold/flus between a serum levels of 20 ng/ml (the general populace) and a serum level of 40 ng/ml (the D*action population average)? A 60% reduction? 80%? 90%?

I made a difference in December, by testing my whole family (assembly line style). When will you?

Thank you,