In 2023, my life changed in an instant.

I was 29 years old, a corporate leader, and the mom of 14-month-old twins when I heard the words, "You have breast cancer." It was aggressive, had already spread to my lymph nodes, and treatment moved fast. Chemotherapy. Double Mastectomy. Immunotherapy. One appointment after another.

Around the same time, my daughter was facing surgeries of her own. We called ourselves the "Fight Girls Club." Some days we were both recovering together, reminding each other that courage doesn't always look strong—it just looks like taking the next step.

I learned pretty quickly that I couldn't live in the question, "Why me?" It was too heavy.

Instead, I made myself a promise: if cancer was going to take so much from me, I was going to take something back.

Every lesson learned.
Every unexpected friendship.
Every moment of hope.
Every opportunity to help someone else.

Each one was another way to make it matter.

Five days after one of my chemotherapy treatments, my work team showed up for the 2023 Susan G. Komen MORE THAN PINK Walk. Day five after chemo is usually one of the hardest. I wasn't sure I'd even be able to go.

But that morning, something changed.

Instead of feeling like a patient, I felt surrounded by hope. By people who believed in a future beyond cancer. For one beautiful morning, fear gave way to joy. I walked that mile with the biggest smile on my face, and it felt like I could finally breathe again.

It wasn't just a walk.

It was oxygen.

Today, I'm grateful to say I've been cancer-free since 2024. This journey changed me in ways I never expected. It gave me a deeper sense of purpose and a passion for making life better for the people walking this road after me.

That purpose now shapes how I lead, how I serve my community, and why I'm honored to support Susan G. Komen. Whether through my work, my church, or alongside fellow survivors and advocates, I want every experience—mine and yours—to become something that helps the next person.

That's why our team is called Make It Matter.

Because every story matters.
Every step matters.
Every dollar matters.
Every act of kindness matters.

Together, we can turn pain into purpose, hope into action, and make sure no one faces breast cancer alone.