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In April of 2003, my mother was
diagnosed with Stage Three Breast
Cancer (Invasive Ductile Carcinoma).
Any "normal" senior in high school
typically worries about what college to
attend or what they want to major in, but
my worries stemmed far deeper than
that. What was going to happen to my
mother? I am proud to say she is in her
fourth year of remission. With the
exception of some permanent side
effects from the chemotherapy and
radiation, she is healthy and optimistic.
From that point on, I knew I had a
purpose and that purpose was to make
diagnosed with Stage Three Breast
Cancer (Invasive Ductile Carcinoma).
Any "normal" senior in high school
typically worries about what college to
attend or what they want to major in, but
my worries stemmed far deeper than
that. What was going to happen to my
mother? I am proud to say she is in her
fourth year of remission. With the
exception of some permanent side
effects from the chemotherapy and
radiation, she is healthy and optimistic.
From that point on, I knew I had a
purpose and that purpose was to make
a difference for supporting mothers with breast cancer.
Unfortunately, there is a great void in resources for young women, specifically daughters, who
could use a caregiver support group. Although I think face-to-face interaction is very important
for many support groups, I thought it would be more beneficial to establish an online support
network. First of all, young women may not have the time or transportation to be able to meet in
person, and secondly, there is a different comfort and maturity level behind a computer screen
and in the comfort of your own home.
My experiences with cancer advocacy reach beyond care-giving. I was a volunteer at Celebration
on the Hill in Washington D.C. with the American Cancer Society in 2006, where I lobbied to
legislators for more cancer funding. I am a legislative ambassador for ACS, committee
member for the Relay for Life, volunteer with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and a
motivational speaker. I have done public service announcements about breast cancer and
currently promote breast cancer education and awareness through the Miss America
Organization.
Together we can fight the war against cancer; together we can make a difference.
Unfortunately, there is a great void in resources for young women, specifically daughters, who
could use a caregiver support group. Although I think face-to-face interaction is very important
for many support groups, I thought it would be more beneficial to establish an online support
network. First of all, young women may not have the time or transportation to be able to meet in
person, and secondly, there is a different comfort and maturity level behind a computer screen
and in the comfort of your own home.
My experiences with cancer advocacy reach beyond care-giving. I was a volunteer at Celebration
on the Hill in Washington D.C. with the American Cancer Society in 2006, where I lobbied to
legislators for more cancer funding. I am a legislative ambassador for ACS, committee
member for the Relay for Life, volunteer with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and a
motivational speaker. I have done public service announcements about breast cancer and
currently promote breast cancer education and awareness through the Miss America
Organization.
Together we can fight the war against cancer; together we can make a difference.
