Fight Breast Cancer w/ Making Strides

American Cancer Society

I lost my 89-year-old grandmother after a 16-month battle with breast cancer in June 2011.

The woman that could defeat anything that was thrown her way, including scoliosis, cataracts, and skin cancer. My grandmother was a fighter, and one of the most humble and gracious women I have ever known in my lifetime.

Watching your grandmother (at 89-years-old, nonetheless!) face challenges with such grace and fight the battle against breast cancer until the very last breath is truly something to admire, but also a frustration that I cannot describe.

I would constantly ask my grandmother how she found the will and energy to fight breast cancer? How could she battle such a a gruesome disease taking over her body at the age of 89-years-old? Her life was so fulfilling, loved, and beautiful.How could she bare to watch everything she had lived for wash away with the pain and overbearing sadness of a breast cancer diagnosis?

I said this knowing that I was obviously not as strong as she; I don’t know how I would personally be so brave as her at less than 1/3 of her age. She would tell me that she reminded herself as often as possible that no matter what age she was at the time, 19 or 89, life is too precious to sit back and give up on trying. 

My grandmother would have turned 90-years-old in October 2011, which was exactly 4-months to the day that she lost the fight to breast cancer. Her birthday is October 24th, which gives me a very special reason to stand up each and every year to help spread awareness for a cure. While the American Cancer Society (ACS) works very hard to find a cure for breast cancer year-round, I know that it is important for all of us to do our part and help them spread the word.

[Grandma & Me! Circa. 1984]

Breast cancer awareness has always been a cause that I hold near and dear to my heart and mind. My first encounter was when my best friend and I had to watch her mother suffer through the loss of one breast. I was only 13-years-old, but I remember how saddened we all were to watch her suffer. I knew that this was something we had to cure. I never wanted to encounter this form of cancer (or, any form for that matter!) ever again, but I did – too many times. 

My cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. After a double mastectomy, I am pleased to report that she has been 2-years cancer free, but the worry never fades away. It wasn’t long after my cousin received her clean bill of health that we discovered my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer. Lately, I am saddened by the frequency of cases surrounding me and my family, friends, and neighbors. 

By the time my grandmother had told my aunt that she had discovered a lump in her breast… 

… it was too late.

She told us that she felt a lump in September (2009), but neglected to tell anyone until 4-months later since she didn’t want to bother us. She was the most selfless woman I have ever encountered; her neglect to alert us about her lump wasn’t the best decision she made, but it showed her extreme care and eagerness to alway think and put of others before herself.

Raising breast cancer awareness means that we can help to prevent these situations through education and funding towards finding a cure.

We can spread awareness and help find a cure through educational tools and knowledge, funding to help find a cure, and making sure that the self-exam and annual mammograms become embedded into all of our routines. More women need to know how important it is to lift their arm and conduct a self-breast exam.

I personally exam myself at least once every other week. Professionals recommend conducting a self-exam monthly and particularly after a few days before your period ends.  Either way, I find that the self exam only takes a few seconds to do, but your life could be saved by early detection.

I am fighting this battle along with the American Cancer Society through their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk because I want more women to know how much of a difference early detection can make on one’s life. I want the cure to be found so that we can all rest with ease knowing the battle is over. I am fighting this battle because my grandmother stood up to breast cancer and didn’t give up. Although she ultimately lost, I will always think of her as a winner in my book. The challenges that she had to face in her last few months of life after 89-years were the toughest she had to endure.

I was with my grandmother as she spent her last 24-hours in the hospital. There was a feeling in my heart that I never want to feel again – leaving your grandmothers bedside for a second in fear that you will lose her and never have her again. There were moments when I would have to leave the room whether to grab lunch or use the restroom. I remember rushing and praying she was going to be okay until I got back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

My grandmother finally lost her battle to breast cancer after a full day in the hospital – June 2011. I stood over her and held her hand as I watched her take in the very last breath; her eyes gazed up at me and my gut felt like a bottomless pit of sadness.

I knew this would be her last breath. . . 

A tear streamed down her face and her eyes were still locked on me, despite the 8 other family members surrounding her bedside. I showed her a smile, but that was the toughest smile I ever had to force on myself. She gave up, but the battle went on in her heart until the very last moment. 

June (2012) marked 1-year since my grandmothers passing and we will also remember her in October since it is her birthday and breast cancer awareness month. I will be raising awareness and doing my part for the entire duration of October in my grandmothers memory.

Additionally, I will raise awareness simply because it is an important cause that deserves the limelight. This is the battle you don’t want to wait to fight until you are directly affected. This is a fight that you want to get involved with before it even starts. 

Get Involved & Start Making Strides

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is working hard to fight breast cancer through their Making Strides campaign, which is an excellent way for YOU to become involved in your city! This nationwide breast cancer walk is striving to support those that have been affected, empower others, and cheer on survivors, all while fighting to end this disease.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

HOW?

There are several ways for you to become involved with Making Strides and help save lives. The possibilities stretch from starting a team of your own, donating to a walker/team, or a simple and generous general donation to the Making Strides event. This campaign was able to raise more than $60 million last year, which helped people to stay well, get well, find cures, and fight breast cancer.

Your Making Strides breast cancer awareness donation will go a long way in the battle against breast cancer no matter how small or great the amount might be. Whether you are able to donate $10 or $100, I know that we will be one step closer to a cure and save many more lives. Small strides always help, so I will be Making Strides with the American Cancer Society this year in an effort to stop this war against breast cancer.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

WHERE & WHEN?

Making Strides is a nationwide campaign, which can be found in a city near you throughout the entire month of October. You can find Making Strides walk event dates and locations and decide if you would like to participate, organize a team of your own, or simply submit a donation if you are unable to attend. 

Learn more and help us fight breast cancer with Making Strides in October 2012.

* Making Strides Against Breast Cancer is the American Cancer Society’s nationwide series of walking events to raise funds and awareness to end breast cancer.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by the American Cancer Society (ACS) via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of the American Cancer Society (ACS).