My mom is so much of the reason I am who I am today. She taught me how to hold my own in the kitchen, how to be a host, how to play sports, how to swim, how to type (on a typewriter), how important it is to love yourself, the list goes on and on. She taught me responsibility, kindness, empathy, strength, and how the only important things on Sunday are church and the Green Bay Packers.

My mom also taught me about how to fight and advocate for yourself. My mom never let being a cancer patient affect who she was as my mom, but the way she responded to that situation has left an everlasting impact on who I am.

From the day I turned 23 I have been getting mammograms and telling everyone I know about them. Mammograms save lives and this year they saved my friend Molly's life.

My mom surrounded herself with people that loved and accepted her and taught me that family (regardless of blood) is truly the most important thing in life. Molly is my family. Molly is that person who goes above and beyond for me (and now my family). Molly has been my rock ever since I lost my rock in 2004.

So now I ask you to help support people like Molly. Support the 1-8 this disease has impacted and will continue to impact. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. It is estimated that in 2024, approximately 30% of all new female cancer diagnoses will be breast cancer. We must continue to fund and bring awareness to this disease to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Please consider supporting my fundraising efforts for the Susan G Komen More than Pink walk. It would mean the absolute world to me. Love you all. Thank you for reading.

xoxo, Nikki