My Story
Hello friends & family!
21 years ago I remember sitting in the car with my sister, Cindy, after going to lunch. She told me that she had a bruise on her breast. Not knowing anything about breast cancer, I didn't think anything of it. She said that she had a doctor's appointment and that they were running some tests. The tests turned up stage 3 breast cancer. We were all devastated. Cindy was a fighter though! She went through a mastectomy (later a double mastectomy), chemo, radiation and later reconstruction. She had multiple complications along the way, but made it through this first battle. She was 39 at the time and I remember her saying "I want to do something big for my 40th birthday!" Little did we know what that something big was. 4 months later, along came my wedding. We were a couple of days into my honeymoon when I found a lump. I remember my doctor saying after the biopsy, "bad news, it's cancer". My treatment was a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation.
10 years later Cindy was about to turn 50 & went in for a doctor's appointment and was misdiagnosed with stomach cancer when in fact, it was a recurrence of breast cancer. She was unsuccessfully being treated for stomach cancer. The doctors told us she had 3-6 months to live at that point. She refused to believe that and did everything she could to beat it once again. She had her cancer genetically tested, and began treatment for breast cancer. She lived an additional 5 years! Unfortunately, she lost her battle on November 30, 2019. That was the worst day of my life.
During the past 21 years, my mom, 2 of my aunts, 2 of my cousins and multiple friends have been diagnosed and have beaten breast cancer. The advances in treatments continue to improve and I hope and pray that there will be a cure some day soon!
This year, I have once again joined the Komen community and registered for the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk. I am dedicated to Komen's mission of ending breast cancer forever, and I need your help. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in support of my fundraising efforts.
Your support helps us get one step closer to a world without breast cancer. Funds raised help support breakthrough research and provide assistance to those facing breast cancer today who need our support. Whether it’s emotional support via Komen’s helpline, financial support through Komen’s financial assistance program, or navigation services to break down barriers to care, Komen will be there for them.
Ending breast cancer needs all of us, and your generosity can make a real difference. Together, let’s show breast cancer patients there’s a whole community standing by their side.
Will you please join me in this fight by making your donation today?
