It sounds cliche to say that women who have faced down a life-threatening diagnosis really know...
Young Survival Coalition
The doctors are working to save my body, my friends at the Young Survival Coalition have helped save my sanity.
Vera Beautified Me for Get Hitched Give Hope
I was getting ready for Get Hitched Give Hope, an amazing, annual charity event that pairs wedding planners and vendors with happy couples planning their nuptials, and the proceeds benefit two organizations that support people living with cancer: the Young Survival Coalition and the Dream Foundation. It was my biggest formal event of the season, and the driving Seattle rain had just gone horizontal.
Get Hitched Give Hope 2014
I love this annual wedding planning gala. Get Hitched Give Hope helps to raise funds for the Young Survival Coalition which helps young women living with breast cancer, and the Dream Foundation which helps to grant dreams to people who are at the end of their life journey because of cancer.
Courage Night
I have been invited to participate in Courage Night, an author event sponsored by the Young Survival Coalition where 5 young survivors of breast cancer will read from their books, followed by a book signing.
Cancer and Parenting
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, while my daughter was still a breastfeeding infant. I...
Living with Dying: Thoughts on friendship and cancer
I get by with a little help from my friends
YSC, the Tour de Pink, and #GivingTuesday
A couple months ago, after a Tour de Pink training ride, my friend and fellow cancer survivor,...
How to Juggle Cancer and Parenting: Cambria Dodd Russell’s Story
Long term, I worry about a recurrence, about dying, about leaving my husband with 2 boys to raise on his own. I hope though, that this was just another experience among many in their childhoods. It will, no doubt, impact them. I don’t want it to dominate them though.
How to Juggle Cancer and Parenting: Karey Gauthier’s Story
Cancer is a medical diagnosis, not an identity. It colors who you are just as any major experience would, be it pregnancy, pets, kids, diabetes, etc. However, it does not define you or your future.
For loved ones, give offers of help, but be specific. Patients don’t have the capacity to figure out what would be helpful most of the time. If you plan to do something in honor of the person, ask first if they are comfortable with that. I had a family member walk in my honor twice and make a big deal about it and want me there. I felt like a prize pig on display and it felt awful.
How to Juggle Cancer and Parenting: Becky E’s Story
Recurrence is a real fear and something that comes up a lot. Help to keep me smiling and laughing and I’ll do the same for you!
How to Juggle Cancer and Parenting: Roxanne Haller’s Story
Have faith, take care of yourself, allow others to help you. Let go of the idea of the perfect house and perfect parenting. You can only be a parent if you are alive to do it…so take care of your health. Find people you trust, whether through churches or schools whom you trust to help you take care of your children when you aren’t well enough. Be honest with your children, but try not to burden them with adult worries.