Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This post is a little different from any others I have done before and I hope you don’t mind taking the time out to read it.  It’s about Breast Cancer.  This is something that many of us are effected by (whether it be directly or through a friend or family member) and Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) is coming up soon.  So I wanted to share my story.

In 2008 I discovered that a very close family friend (whom I considered an Aunt growing up) had been diagnosed with Breast Cancer.  She immediately took action, by removing her breasts.  I was devastated for her at the time (as I could never imagine doing the same), but had she not done this, I am not sure she’d be here today.  Then another friend went through the exact same thing that same year (knowing that she had the gene, but not yet the cancer), she too decided to remove her breasts.  I still fill up with tears thinking about the incredible bravery it took both of them to do this (even if it wasn’t the only answer).

When I heard they did it, it REALLY hit home for me.

It made this once foreign concept of breast cancer VERY REAL in my life and something that I should acknowledge.  Despite any sadness or tears…this is one illness that also joins forces with emotions of unprecedented pride!  This illness has proven that women are strong and very resilient beings.  Maybe more so than ever being given credit for!

To all of the women out there who are fighting Breast Cancer – I salute you!  To all of those who have taken affirmative action like my loved ones did….I commend you for your incredible bravery!  I tear up every time I think of you all.

If I could, I would send every woman with breast cancer (or the risk of) a token of my heartfelt emotions and ensure that this token would serve as a reminder that Women Are Fighters! We are all stronger than we think and as long as we put our minds to it, we can survive anything!  This would be the token I would send too…I would most definitely choose one of these personalized breast cancer ornaments…

If you have someone in your life who has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer, has survived  Breast Cancer or who simply puts extra time and effort in to spread awareness that we need a cure for Breast Cancer… this might be a great token for them too!

*Now I can’t possibly send these to everyone myself, but they are incredibly well priced and I think everyone should have one! These breast cancer awareness ornaments can hang on a bed post (seen every day) or come out on Christmas only.  It doesn’t matter.  (They don’t need to say survivor either – they can say AWARE if you like).

The point is, something like this would serve as a great reminder of the threat Breast Cancer poses to all women everywhere.  It is also just one more way for  us to AFFIRM that we as a society will do everything we can to BEAT Breast Cancer!

Sincerely, Cijaye DePradine