My name is Lauren Miller. I live Houston, Texas.  Cancer saved my life.  You don’t hear that often, but it is absolutely true.  During college I turned to drugs as an escape from my personal battle with lifelong anxiety and depression.  After graduating in May of 2013 and experiencing significant changes to my surroundings, I pushed away my family and friends in favor of characters that encouraged my addictions – I was stuck in a terminal lifestyle.

On February 18, 2014 I went in for a doctor’s appointment for what I thought was an infected lymph node and was told I had nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This cancer is an extremely rare head and neck cancer.  Since then, I have had 6 reoccurrences.  I am currently taking monthly immunotherapy treatments and quarterly scans.

Even though I had pushed them away for years, it is because of my family and friends that I am here today to continue my fight.  I was fortunate to become friends with a hospital social worker that led me to the American Cancer Society.  My first resource was a “Look Good, Feel Better” group, where I was taught how to properly take care of my wig, apply eyebrow pencil, and even contour blush and bronzer. The American Cancer Society made me feel beautiful when all I saw in the mirror were scars.  When I decided to go back to school for my master’s degree, I won an American Cancer Society survivor scholarship.

As a Relay For Life Event Lead, I have met so many survivors and caregivers that have the most inspirational stories.  This organization does so much for the ultimate goal of a cancer cure.  If my story can positively influence even one person to donate towards that goal, I will be successful.

“You have been assigned this mountain to show others it can be moved” –Author Unknown