Cancer Sucks

{via}

I'm not sure if many of you know much about my career, but I have the privilege of working with cancer patients and their families every single day. Although many are so thankful for the help and resources that I help seek out, it doesn't even come close to how blessed and humbled I feel to be able to help lift their spirits.

You also may not know that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2006.

I was a 19-year-old college freshman who instantly had to learn how to become a caregiver. To take care of her and my family. To have experienced my mom's cancer battle, and to have have been on the family member side, it has forever touched my heart and shaped my career path.

{Mom and my siblings on the last day of chemo}

I spent my college summers interning in both San Francisco and Dallas for the nation's top pediatric cancer organization. I spent my school year volunteering as the executive director for a campus fundraising event that annually raised $60,000+ for kids with cancer. But that wasn't enough.

I fell in love with helping people who have cancer even more.

A few years after college, I moved to Kansas City to accept my dream job, where I work now. Little did I know my heart would be shaped even more for cancer patients when my dad was diagnosed with throat cancer in May 2011.

 {Adam shaved his head for my dad while he was going through treatment}

Thankfully, both of my parents have reached remission and we are grateful for their health every single day. This morning, our staff was blessed to hear two amazing ladies, both moms to cancer surviving kiddos, speak during one of our trainings. They blew me away and reminded me, once again, why I do what I do. They gave me goose bumps and refocused my passion.

Wow.

Maybe you know of a friend or loved one going through their own battle? Please know that there is so much hope. Please know that we are working so hard to find that cure so that no baby, grandma, uncle, friend, cousin or sister ever has to fight this disease.

Cancer just sucks.

Perhaps you are inspired to do something more? Something bigger than yourself, but don't know where to start?

Join the fight.

Get involved.
Raise funds.
Love on someone.
Volunteer.
Donate your hair.
Knit a hat.
Anything.


Let's kick cancer together.