Cancer is personal to me.
I have fought cancer twice, and next year I will celebrate 20 years of being cancer-free. When cancer first came into my life, I was in my 30’s and had 3 little girls in elementary school. My family was forever changed the day I was diagnosed with cancer, and I wish I had known about Cancer Care Services back then. I was confused about whether or not to talk openly about cancer to my children, so I didn’t. Because of chemo, radiation, and multiple surgeries – I wasn’t able to be a soccer mom, a PTA mom, or even shop for their back-to-school clothes. I was too sick and scared to be the mom my kids needed during that time in our lives. So my husband took on my share AND took care of me – while trying to keep up with the demands of his job. We could have ALL used some help…
Six years later, my middle daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with cancer. She was 18 years old. Two months after Lauren’s initial radiation treatments were finished, my husband was also diagnosed with cancer. I didn’t know how to deal with the crippling fear, or the mental and physical exhaustion that came with being a caregiver. I needed emotional support – but I still didn’t know that Cancer Care Services was there to help me.
Thankfully, my husband is a survivor like me. But I lost my precious daughter to cancer. October 15th would have been Lauren’s 30th birthday. I can’t help but wonder what our lives would be like today if cancer hadn’t robbed my daughter of a future. I wonder if she would have married the young man who stood by her side when she was sick, and who convinced her to try chemo by assuring her that it wasn’t her hair that made her beautiful – it was her smile. All I know for sure is that Lala and I would still be soul mates. We would still write each other love notes. And we would still be snuggling every chance we could get (and singing at the top of our lungs!).
My personal experiences with cancer have made a profound impact on my role as CEO. They fuel my passion for supporting cancer patients, caring for caregivers, and empowering survivors – because I have walked down all of these paths. This is why I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING about the fear and loss that cancer causes… and through Cancer Care Services – I CAN… and SO CAN YOU!
If you can make a one-time gift today, I thank you! Or if you are willing to set up a monthly donation, I thank you x12! And if you'd like to join our Legacy Of Hope Giving Society, like my husband and I have, please let me know and I'll tell you all about it (it's only $84 a month, for 5 years, and it makes an extraordinary impact!)! :-)
