A Message on National Cancer Survivor’s Day

This Cancer Survivor’s Day, I feel more grateful than ever. I am HERE. As I faced Triple Negative Breast Cancer at 28 in 2020, I was introduced to the term SURVIVRE (broken down in French to Sur = on and Vivre = to live). On to live. Forward motion. And after navigating 8 rounds of chemo, a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, and survivorship, I SURVIVRE.

Last summer, I healed from my reconstruction surgery just in time to book a trip to Utah. This trip was so special— and it was my first grand adventure since I faced and beat TNBC.

I used my arms and hands to hold on to the chains of Angel’s Landing in Zion National Park, knowing months prior they were too stiff to even lift over my head. I hiked through the cool waters of the Narrows taking in the sights and sounds, knowing months prior my body ached and was completely exhausted from chemotherapy.

This trip felt like a cancer-moon after everything I had faced. And after speaking with other survivors, a special trip or experience is a wonderful way to kick off survivorship and truly feel alive.

I hope today you can celebrate yourself or your loved ones who have faced this beast. I hope as a community we continue to prioritize organizations dedicated to research and supporting the cancer community. Today, I continue to share my journey and encourage others to advocate for themselves. And I am forever grateful to those who continue to lift me up. We are better together and never alone. SURVIVRE 💗