She's My One

We all have a "one."  That person in your life who has experienced breast cancer or who you want to protect from breast cancer.

Twenty years ago, mom was my "one."  I remember the exact moment she called with the news, and how time stood still with disbelief and what ifs.  Although cancer is unfortunately common, it's surreal when it hits so close to home.  I was sure in that moment that I would lose my mother, and I wasn't ready.

We've always been very close.  I'm her first child, the one who made her a mother.  Even though she was young when she had me, she'd been waiting all her life for a daughter.  Life was challenging, but she kept the hardships from my siblings and me, making sure our childhood was joyful and stress free.  After all the times she had been there for us, with her diagnosis, it was now time to return the care.

Luckily, her cancer was caught very early, through a routine mammogram, and the plan was straightforward.  Surgery to remove the breast, and then radiation.  None of us were prepared for the physical and emotional toll treatment would take on her.  I did whatever I could to help, but true to mom's nature, while we were worrying about her, she was worrying about us.  She was strong and resilient, and in the end, very fortunate.

On the 20th anniversary of mom's diagnosis, she currently has no evidence of the disease.  As I approach the same age as mom was when she had cancer, I have a whole new perspective on what she went through.  She was so young, and  I can't imagine receiving that diagnosis today.

Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for women ages 20-59 in the United States.  Luckily, since its founding in 1982, Susan G. Komen has been on the front lines of the fight against breast cancer, and has been making bold, rigorous, and fearless efforts to save lives.  The non-profit organization is helping fight breast cancer along all stages.  From early screening, to support for patients coping with the disease, to working to find critical breakthroughs in breast cancer.  Their new goal is to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50% in the US by 2026.

What a wonderful future that would be, and hopefully someday we'll live in a world without breast cancer.  On each and every Mother's Day, I appreciate my "one," and the blessing that she's still here with us.

Please visit The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to learn how Susan G. Komen is on the front lines of the fight, and share the story of your "one."

I'm so happy to be a #susangkomen_partner.  Thank you to Susan G. Komen for kindly sponsoring this post.  All opinions are 100% honest & completely my own.