Breast Cancer Awareness Month

I want to tell you a story about a little girl, a lover of tea parties, dress up, all things pink, & her daddy. Let's call her Katie. Your typical little girl, Katie grew up playing Barbies & soccer, with all the excitement & love for life that children posses. Katie grew into a beautiful young woman with the intelligence & drive that would take anyone as far as they could imagine. She went to Prom, graduated high school with honors, & went on to study human services at her local college. After graduation & finding that first job, she settled into her own place & began to really consider her future. She imagined the day of her wedding: the beautiful ring her husband would present to her, what her dress might look like, all the guests that would make it a party to remember. She then thought about her first home, having a child, and caring for her family. She had these desires deep in her heart & like most of us at that age, assumed that someday she would experience all this. 

Then, unexpectedly, at a routine doctor's visit, she's told that she has breast cancer. What? Are you joking? She's thinking, 'I'm 27!!!!! This is impossible!' This isn't supposed to happen to young, beautiful, promising women!

Katie was right, breast cancer isn't supposed to happen. But you know what? It does. Over the last year, I've learned that cancer doesn't have limitations. It doesn't care who it takes, who it invades, it just does. A beautiful, young (28), compassionate mother & wife named Erika passed earlier this year from an aggressive form of cancer. Another beautiful, young, caring woman named Jennie has been battling this evil disease for a few years now. It's not fair. These women had dreams, desires, & visions for their lives when they were little girls, like Katie. No one thinks their life will be the statistic.

At this very moment, while I sit here in anticipation of having a child, hundreds of women sit in their homes contemplating if they'll make it another day. If the treatment will be effective. If the insurance company will cover the cost of their chemo drugs. How long this cancer will let them live.

What can we do?

Pray!
"...pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." ~James 5:16
 
...for God to intervene

"The voice of the Lord is powerful." ~Psalm 29:4

"Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
    He will rule with a powerful arm.
    See, he brings his reward with him as he comes

  He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
    He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart." ~Isaiah 40:10-11

...for doctors & researchers

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession & thanksgiving be made for all people- for kings & all those in authority... This is good, & pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved & to come to a knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:1-4

 
...for those fighting

"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being." Ephesians 3:16

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'" ~Jeremiah 29:11

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." ~Psalm 34:18

Give!
Any amount is helpful if we pool our resources. Instead of buying a pink boa or pink tool set that benefits cancer research, why not donate directly to an organization that is funding research that is making a difference?
 Join Me!

Be a part of the HOW Study
You can help be a part of the research! By participating in this study, all you have to do is complete various questionnaires over time & you can help researchers get a better idea of the causes of cancer. Check it out and join me here!

Let's join together as women, for women who need encouragement, support & a cure! What part will you take in this fight?

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month