The six letter word that I dread to hear....cancer.  It grew and spread in my grandpa's lungs, in my aunt's thyroid, and in my cousin's breast.  In the last few years, more and more of my friend's were touched by this awful disease.  In my immediate family, cancer did not hit once, not twice, but three times.  When I finished my college education, my dad was diagnosed with colon cancer and a year and a half later, my mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer.  I grew up fast and began taking care of my 5 younger sisters.  The third time was in 2022, when my sister, Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She has been in treatments, in and out of the hospitals, many dr's appointments, and so much more. She's a fighter mentally, physically, and emotionally.  She's strong and brave! 

For years, we've honored and remembered my parents, family, friends, and now Andrea by participating in Relay for Life.  We will continue to do so.

Last year, I participated in my first Komen 3-day walk. Chants and cheers, sparkly pompoms waved in the air, shades of pink was everywhere!  It was truly an experience that I’ve never felt.  The outpouring support and love was beyond amazing that words cannot describe.  I met incredible people from around the country who had the same interest of walking together and sharing their stories that touched me.  There were sad tears, fight and strength to make it on the uphill inclines, big smiles shared, fist bumps of we’ve got this, and high fives and hugs of we did it! My sisters and family surprised me each day at a cheer station to support and walk with me! It was the absolute best!

I had the full experience with walking 60 miles in 3 days and camping in my pink tent throughout the weekend.  I was definitely out of my comfort zone being without my family, but I never felt alone. I felt accomplished, proud, and committed to do it for my sister, Andrea, family, and friends that are fighting cancer and those that can’t or are no longer with us.  I won’t forget the happy tears of crossing the finish line hand in hand with my friends and teammates and getting huge hugs from my family!  With all of this said, I’m back at it and going for my second year so, please help me reach my goal if you can! 

Please support me as I commit to an incredible challenge. The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk over the course of three days. It will be hard, but it’s not as hard as breast cancer. It’s not as hard as chemo. It’s not as hard as getting bad news at your latest scan. It’s not as hard as saying goodbye. And that’s why I know I have to do this. That’s why I’m walking and why I’m raising money – to end breast cancer forever.