Of all the titles I carry, Survivor is one that has tremendous meaning behind it. I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma at age 41, becoming the 4th generation of women to be impacted by either breast or ovarian cancer on my maternal side of the family. At that time, I had a 1, 2, and 7 year old and was at a peak moment in my career.
“You have Cancer” are three words I never wanted to hear but always feared I would. For me, the opportunity to be a Portrait of Hope and now a Voice of Hope for the ACS has such magnitude to me. I believe providing hope for women and men and their families is encoded in my DNA. I am genetically programmed to honor those we have lost, cheer on those who are fighting, and pray no other family will be affected again. Cancer is hard, but my commitment to the American Cancer Society as a Voice of Hope is heartfelt as I hope families will feel honored and supported through their experience.