Early this year, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: You have breast cancer. I was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. In that moment, fear hit me harder than anything else I have ever faced. The uncertainty of what lay ahead felt overwhelming.

With the unwavering support of my medical team, I underwent multiple surgeries and radiation, and now on hormonal therapy. Each step of treatment brought its own challenges, but none were as hard as those first days of facing the unknown.

What carried me through was the love of my family & friends, and the strength I found in my spirituality. I learned that I was not walking this journey alone. I leaned on the people who lifted me up, and I discovered a deeper gratitude for life, for each day, and for the community that surrounds me.

Today, I share my story not only with gratitude but with a purpose: to raise awareness. Early detection matters. Support matters. And hope matters. If my journey can encourage even one person to get checked, to hold on to hope, or to feel less alone, then it is worth telling.

I walk in honor of my journey, for those who have walked before me, and for those still to come. Together, step by step, we are stronger.