I’ve been very transparent from day one of my journey. Why? Because it helps me process what’s happening and it gives it all a purpose. It’s like so many other things in life — you learn a lot and then never have an opportunity to use the practical skills again. If even just one iota of my journey helps one other person then it’s had a purpose, if it gives someone hope it gives me hope. So I’ve taken every opportunity I’ve been presented with to share my story.
It’s why I’ve blogged about it. It’s why when Emma — the CEO of Caddis — called and asked if I’d participate in their breast cancer awareness campaign I didn’t hesitate and said yes. It was hard. I’m not an actress, a model or a public speaker. It was hard to bare my worst days in front of a bunch of strangers — photographers, videographers, light techs, etc. It was emotional to remember those hard days. Somehow they brought it out. And it made me grateful at the end of the day, all of us went through our own version of hell and came out the other side.
I will never forget the day Emma reached out to me — she’s one of my daughter’s friends and at the time was in her early 30s and the mother of two young girls. She texted me and said “I just joined the shittiest club in the world that you are a member of too.” It took a bit for it to register what she was saying and I was at a loss for words. She was so young and so were her children and her husband. I was 61 when I was diagnosed. I certainly wasn’t ready to die but i also realized i had lived a full life. My daughter was grown and married. I wasn’t leaving babies to cope with an ill or even worse, no mother. I made an impact in the world of women’s sports — i encouraged more women than i can count to feel enough confidence to put there feet on a start line and complete their first triathlon. Over 8 years and I still thank God every day for all the blessings in my life. The older I am and the more I’ve gone through the more my spirituality has deepened. It’s not me asking God for help, it’s me saying thank you for each day and each blessing I’m given.
This is not just another “pink ribbon” campaign. Caddis is donating 25% of the proceeds of the sale of these special edition glasses to “Stand Up To Cancer”. Their mission is to raise awareness and fund research to detect and treat cancers with the aspiration to cure all patients.
Please consider buying a pair of these pink glasses, it could help save a life and ensure that no one has to go hear the words “you have cancer” again in our future!
moirahoran 