Tuesday, December 17, 2013

With Hope, The Odds Don't Matter

I've learned the importance of raising awareness. If nobody knows about it, then how can you receive or give help? 
Growing up with cousins who had cystic fibrosis was an easy way for me to become 'aware' of the illness. And now that my own daughter has it, I am even more 'aware' and I have an even greater desire to raise awareness about cystic fibrosis. 
Cancer seems to be something almost EVERYBODY knows about. I've lost so many.... too many, friends to this awful killer. Each one was different. Each 'Killer' was different and I became aware of them because they had taken someone from me. 
I hate cancer.

But..... I have learned the importance of awareness, and what a powerful tool this can be to even just one person. 

I have friends who have beat the odds with cancer. Because someone, started raising awareness, at one point. And through that more people started learning and helping and saving. 

In the cystic fibrosis community I have personally seen the changes and progress awareness has helped create. 

I recently became 'aware' of a different type of cancer I knew nothing about. I would like to share one survivor's beautiful story of hope. 

Her name is Heather. 
In 2005, at the age 36, and only 3 months after giving birth to her daughter, she was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. She knew she needed to find a way to beat the odds for her husband and newborn. 
Asbestos is not banned in the US, yet it’s the only known cause of mesothelioma. Once diagnosed, most patients die within 2 years.
It has been almost eight years and she has dedicated her life to spreading awareness of this awful 'killer.'

Please take a moment and click here to watch a short clip on her story..... Help us raise awareness.

Help us share hope.

With hope, the odds don't matter.