In 1999, my brother Bryan and I ran the very first Komen Race for the Cure for breast cancer. He was hung over but finished with a faster time than me. HA!  We continued to come together to run the race almost every year, no matter where in the world we were. Sometimes with friends, sometimes with family, sometimes alone.

In 2001, my mom called us all to the dinner table to tell us all she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She knew my oldest brother and I had ran the race every year. She underwent a mastectomy and chemo treatment which was very difficult time; however, she is a 25year survivor this year!

In 2009, my best friend and ride or die, Lauren Hopp's, mother, Kathy Southwick, was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. She was one of the most influential women of my entire life. She, and her entire family, took me in on one of the lowest points of my life and showed me unconditional love. She braved her cancer journey and ultimate death with grace and courage like nothing I had ever witnessed.

This past year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. My cancer was caught on routine mammogram and quickly acted upon. Thanks to the wonderful breast surgery, plastic/ reconstruction surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, and physical therapy teams at Siteman Cancer Center I am rehabbing and officially cancer free.

Intimately watching and experiencing breast cancer treatment and science advances over the past 25 years has been nothing short of awe inspiring. Many of these advances and improvement in process have been made possible due to funding from the Susan G Komen Foundation.

Please consider supporting the cause.

Respectfully,

Mary Sullivan