Breast cancer awareness holds a profound significance for me, rooted in both personal loss and survival. In the mid-1990s, I lost my mom to metastatic breast cancer. At the time, awareness campaigns were not as prominent as they are today, and resources were limited. The silence around the disease made navigating her illness isolating, as we stumbled through her treatment with little of the community support or broader understanding that now surrounds breast cancer. Watching her fight, I saw both her incredible strength and the devastating reality of a disease that often went unnoticed until it was too late.

Years later, my life came full circle when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In those terrifying first moments after my diagnosis, memories of my mother came flooding back. But unlike my mom, I had a louder, stronger network around me. I was fortunate to benefit from years of increased awareness, research, and improved treatment options—advancements that my mom, heartbreakingly, never had the chance to experience.

Now, as a five-year survivor, breast cancer awareness means more to me than just pink ribbons or campaigns. It is about honoring my mom's memory and advocating for those who are still in the fight. Awareness has the power to save lives by encouraging early detection, funding research, and breaking the stigma that often surrounds cancer. It reminds us that no one should face this disease alone and that every voice raised in support makes a difference.

For me, it’s personal. I carry both my mom’s story and my own, determined to ensure that breast cancer doesn’t take another life unnoticed. Breast cancer awareness isn’t just a movement—it’s a tribute to those we’ve lost, a celebration of those who’ve survived, and a rallying cry for a future where no one has to fight this battle in the dark.