Donate for my 11 Year Cancerversary on June 4th!!!
This year, I am once again teaming up the Komen community to make an impact and registered for the Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk in St. Louis, Missouri. In 2015 at the age of 33 I was diagnosed with stage 2 invasive ductal carcinoma. I was very fortunate to have this cancer caught at my age on a first screening mammogram. There was no lump or problem detected. My older ob/gyn just happened to still believe it was best that any woman of the age 30 or older who had a family history of breast cancer should start screening early, or at minimum, get a baseline mammogram at 30. So I took the mammogram orders and hung it on my refrigerator, saying I would get to it but was in no rush. Then I got a call from my law school friend. She had been diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. And right at that time my illusions that breast cancer is very rare and almost non-existent for women under the age of 40 disappeared in an instant. My Mom happened to be there that day. As a survivor herself, she said she knew it was scary to go, but it is always better to be empowered with information so go get checked, both of us expecting nothing to come back. And then I got my first call back...and a second, third, fourth, and a diagnosis by Friday. I was newly single, young professional, and knew nothing of cancer. I found solace in others who faced a cancer diagnosis, particularly those who were diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age and grappled with all the additional issues that come along with early age cancer.. Komen was a great place to find that tribe I needed. To make friends. To laugh through the tough stuff and find helpful resources and information when we had questions. I am thankful for my incredible doctors, nurses, survivor support groups, friends, family, and neighbors who helped me during and even beyond that active treatment period of time. 10 years later, due to decisions to preserve my fertility ahead of cancer treatments, I was able to have my very first and beautiful little baby daughter Georgia Noelle with my amazing husband, Solomon.
We are so lucky! There have been so many twists and turns but also so many blessings in disguise and good people who stepped up without asking for a single thing in return. The science has continued to progress and now offers even better treatments and therapeutic options for young breast cancer patients and different variants of breast cancer than before. There is every reason to stay hopeful but also every reason to keep working, advocating and fundraising for more effective treatments and awareness.. During my journey I became close to several really special people who will forever live in my heart and inspire me, Carla, Rachel, and Holly. All three had stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and though they far outlived the timeline their doctors originally gave them, they are sadly no longer with us. I want to change that for other who receive a diagnosis. I want women to be able to live long quality lives surrounded by loved ones. Our world needs the joy, brilliant minds, and golden hearts of people like Holly, Rachel and Carla to make this world a better place.
A few years later, my own sister who is one of my best friends also heard the words -" you have breast cancer." I was secretly shattered also know she is so strong and would handle the diagnosis like a boss. And ofcourse she did. However, even my sister understand in those moments that life is so precious, cancer makes you vulnerable, and even she worried. You simply can’t strong arm a cancer diagnosis.
It's too many people I love and all of us survivors I know want nothing more than to change the future so that hearing those words does not equate with the potential to die. I want a cure or many cures and effective treatments so that something like breast cancer can be managed as a chronic illness that is not life-threatening OR simply cured altogether. With the science innovations, I sincerely believe that is possible. I need your help to move the needle forward. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in support of my fundraising efforts and help me reach my goal of $1100 in honor of my upcoming 11th year of survivorship on June 4th!
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?
You are welcome to join my team, come out to walk with me, or share my info with a survivor friend you know that may like to talk to a soon-to-be 11 year breast cancer survivor!
Crystal Causey McCabe
337-354-3335
Crystal.Causey@gmail.com
