On Saturday, May 4th I’ll be walking with my team of mammography coworkers at the Susan G. Komen RACE FOR THE CURE. My first introduction to what breast cancer was came between my tween and teen years when my Aunt Peachy (my Dad’s sister) was diagnosed, and not long after that my cousin, Anna (Aunt Peachy’s Daughter) was diagnosed. Both my Aunt and my cousin had their cancers removed, but only my Aunt still lives today. Anna won her first round with breast cancer and went on to live many years cancer free; she got to see all of her children get married and have children of their own. But her cancer unfortunately returned aggressively, and we lost her last year at age 60.
Anna was a compassionate, strong-willed, fun and loving woman, who’s heart was the biggest I’ve ever known. She was like a big sister to me; she challenged me, advised me, and helped me along at many points in my life, and she could always be counted on for the best hug, especially when you needed it. She could talk for hours with people, and I miss our long conversations, as I’m sure many other people who knew her and loved her do. It was her guidance that helped steer my career path towards mammography. I had not only become interested in mammography due to Anna, but also due to a friend I’d lost to breast cancer far too young, Leanna.
Leanna was a force to be reckoned with when I met her in my early 20’s. Young, healthy, beautiful, funny, talented, compassionate and one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. At age 28, she was diagnosed with stage 4, HER2, inflammatory breast cancer, which could have been caught sooner had she been taken seriously upon her first visit to her doctor. Because of her age and her symptoms she was treated like she was overreacting, and sent away, leaving her feeling belittled. 6-months later, upon a suggested second opinion, the cancer was caught too late and had already metastasized. For 5 tough years my friend lived fighting a battle in her body, only to lose it at 33 years old. She was the most vibrant woman I’ve ever met, touching many people along her short journey in this world. She is a constant reminder to me of the moral duty and expected competency of proper diagnosis, the importance of advocacy, and the precious and priceless value of human life.
As breast imaging for early detection advances and medical research grows and learns more to enable us to fight breast cancer better, my hope is that we can save more lives. I am dedicated to Komen's ONE 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 treatment assistance program, or help navigating their care journey, Komen will be there for them. In moments like this, 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 a donation today?
