THREE years. It has been more than THREE years since I was told that I had stage IV metastatic breast cancer. In November, it will be THREE years since I started taking the oral chemotherapy that is keeping these tumors stable. I currently do several scans every THREE months and bloodwork every THREE weeks. Sadly, I was told that my prognosis to live was THREE years and I have already lived longer than that. I was so hesitant to ever share that number as it was so scary and overwhelming. While I accepted the diagnosis, I never really accepted that prognosis. I chose to believe that I would live much longer than that. I believe this is what hope is and I think hope is so important. Hope is like medicine to me. I hope to spend so many more years creating big and little memories with family and friends. I hope to make a difference in this world.

In the breast cancer community, some call October "Pinktober" as all the ribbons and reminders of breast cancer are all around us. THREE years ago, while I was still processing the enormity of this diagnosis, I decided that I needed to do something to make a difference instead of feeling sad every time I saw a pink sticker on something, a pink ribbon, or whatever it was in pink. I came across Komen's "More than Pink Walk" and my 11-year-old at that time (thank you Charlie!) helped me make my page and post it on Facebook.

I had no idea how Komen would give me more purpose in my life. The day after I signed up for the walk, Komen's San Diego Executive Director called me to ask what I was doing to have raised so much money so quickly. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Family and friends from across my lifetime had donated to support me and my team, "March for Megan's Miracle." You not only donated but you showed up to walk. I was asked to speak at that walk, and this sparked my desire to be a part of this amazing organization.

For those of you who don't know this, Komen has offered me opportunities to do so many cool things. I threw out a first pitch at a Padres game (and if I had given the opportunity to throw THREE pitches, that imaginary player surely would be out - ha!). I was on the local news a few times for breast cancer related topics. I have helped with and been a part of local Komen fundraising events. I applied and was accepted to be on Komen's national "Metastatic Breast Cancer Committee" where I have a THREE year commitment working with about a dozen other women (and now one man - yes, men can get breast cancer too) who are also living with metastatic breast cancer. We do so many helpful things including: education for patients with their MBC Impact Series, advocacy work, media representation, giving a patient perspective for strategy, funding and MBC branding, and so much more. I have been a facilitator for several of Komen's educational series. I have done videos about various topics (e.g. - Parenting with MBC, MBC and AI) that are on their website. I was recently filmed to be in a global and US documentaries on breast cancer (more on that later). I was honored to learn that I was nominated and chosen to be "Komen's West Region Volunteer of the Year." When I think about the life I have lived so far and what I want for the rest of my life, I hope that my work both as an Occupational Therapist and more recently with Komen makes a difference to others. I hope it teaches my boys that when we are given hard things, we still show up and try to be part of the good in this world. I hope that this work with Susan G. Komen will be a part of my legacy.

I want to talk a little more about this organization. Komen does so much for those currently going through breast cancer and for those 1 in 8 women who will be diagnosed in the future. Komen funds life-saving research. The latest information that I have received is that 72% of their total research funding goes to metastatic breast cancer. I can only begin to tell you what this means to me. Research for metastatic breast cancer means there are more options for me and others living with MBC to live longer and with a better quality of life. Additionally, Komen provides patient support and care through their Patient Care Center. Komen advocates for public policy changes to improve patient access to care and reduce disparities in care. Komen offers community education to better understand this disease. I often hear of things that this organization is doing that I didn't even know about. This organization is doing so much to help others.

Obviously, Susan G. Komen means so much to me. Since this is my year of THREES, I am setting ahuge goal to raise $33,333.33. I am asking for your help in meeting this huge goal! Please donate whatever you can. It can be as little as $3.33 or as much as $333.33 (or whatever your heart desires). I have hope that Komen will continue to support life-changing and life-saving research. I have hope that I could live another 33 years on this earth! Let's go!!! As always, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for all of your love and support!