Far beyond the expectations of its Establishing Donor for the fund's first months, the community of Middleburg have contributed more than $7000 for breast cancer prevention.

James P. Atkins, Establishing Donor for the Cherry Blossom Breast Cancer Fund, which was created in late January, said that the number of people donating and offering to participate in fundraising has been much greater than he expected. "The Donor Advisory Committee and I are really overwhelmed with the amount of money we have received to date" he said. "The response is really heartwarming."

A breast cancer survivor, he said, called after seeing the Middleburg Eccentric's article, offering to help. "After just a few minutes of discussion", Atkins said, "this winery owner agreed to provide the wine for our April 21st fundraiser."

Husbands and daughters of breast cancer victims unknown to me, Atkins related, have committed to participating in our planned fundraisers and to generating new events.

Atkins said the invitations to the Fund's April 21st Steeplechase For The Cure party at the Middleburg Spring Races will be issued in the next few days. "About 700 invitations will be sent", he said, "but a maximum of 100 can be accepted, so I urge people to respond early. The party will a great celebration of our commitment to the eradication of breast cancer."