Why I?m participating this year, and why it would mean so much if you helped me raise a lil money:

This year is a super special one on a personal level. I am about to hit 5 YEARS cancer free!! As a Triple Negative Breast Cancer girl, that?s huge.

Background - In 2020 I was diagnosed with stage 2 Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), along with a BRCA1 gene mutation. TNBC is the most aggressive and difficult to treat form of Breast Cancer as it doesn?t respond to hormone therapies like others do. The combination of this and having a genetic disposition for more cancer, meant I underwent aggressive treatment - double mastectomy, heavy hitting chemo and radiation, followed later by an oophorectomy to prevent ovarian cancer. TNBC has the highest reoccurrence rate of any breast cancer in the first 5 years. But after 5 years, the chances of a reoccurrence decrease drastically. So as I am getting ready to hit my 5 year mark, I feel like I?ve won.

It just so happens that the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk this year lines up with not only my 5 year anniversary, but also my 41st birthday. Participating brings on many emotions and means many things - it?s a celebration, It?s a thank you to the BC community, it?s support for my fellow women who have gone through or who will go through a similar journey. And most importantly it?s a fight to help continue the research and medical advances that are desperately needed.

Breast cancer is not only a leading cause of death in women (though lets not forget it does not discriminate against men), it also has devastating lifetime impacts on it?s survivors.

Chances are you know someone who has been impacted, or will, which of course none of us want to think is possible, until it is. Donating, even just a small amount, can really add up and help aid the research that will eventually end loosing anyone from breast cancer. There have already been massive advances in just the last 10 years. We?re headed in the right direction .

Susan G Komen advocates for patients, drives research breakthroughs, improves access to high-quality care, offers direct patient support and empowers people with accessing trustworthy information.

Dollars raised through this event help to fund breakthrough research and vital patient support, helping those who need it, and helping get us a step closer to a world without breast cancer.

Love , Megan