Bigger Picture Moment: Survival

Today is our final day of Write Pink!  A HUGE Thank You to all of our wonderful guest writers from this month -- I have no doubt that each of you has affected someone's life and knowledge about breast cancer. 

For today's Bigger Picture Moment, we invite you to write about how this month's posts have changed you, or about a breast cancer survivor you know and love.  For linking your post, (and/or commenting here) you'll be entered in Survivor week's sponsored giveaway: A $50 gift certificate to Vintage Pearl!  (Don't forget to comment here, here, and here for extra entries!)

I don't know, intimately or personally, any breast cancer survivors.  I've heard stories upon stories this month that have encouraged and inspired me, but that doesn't change the fact that largely, my life so far has been untouched by breast cancer. 

And while I would be proud to honor some friend or relative today with a post about their survival, I can't. 

I don't know any survivors.  I don't want to know any, because that would mean someone I love has had breast cancer.

I don't ever want to hear that my friend or family member has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  I don't ever want to watch them struggle or fight.  I don't want to worry about their future, or that of their family.  I don't want to see their pain or fear.  I never want anyone I love to deal with breast cancer.

The sad part is that statistically speaking, I will.  A little less than 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Talk about a freaking bummer. 

But here's the good part: WE CAN CHANGE THESE ODDS.  If I never want my loved ones to be killed by breast cancer, I can help make that a reality.  Helping with research through Army of Women, talking about the importance of vigilance towards your own body, sharing ways to stay healthy, donating to groups that are working to find a cure....we can change the way breast cancer fights, because we can fight back.

I want to wake up one day and hear on the news that the cause of breast cancer has been officially uncovered. 

I want to wake up to a world that doesn't know breast cancer survivors because breast cancer is no longer an issue. 

Let's find a way to make that day, that world, a reality.  Start with yourself and your body -- know it and defend it.  Find ways to involve yourself in research -- seek it out and participate.  Take threats seriously -- don't be ambivalent about breast cancer's scope and strength.  Support those with this terrible disease -- love them and listen to them; their stories could change your life.

Here's to ALL of us being survivors -- by never getting breast cancer in the first place.  I believe this can happen someday.

Do you?




Please Write Pink with us, one last time this month!  $50 to The Vintage Pearl could be yours...