My mom Susan, a five-year breast cancer survivor, and me
For Chamblees, Dig for the Cure is Personal
11/6/2008 4:25:25 PM | Volleyball
My volleyball team is hosting an event to help raise money for the Susan G. Komen breast cancer foundation. Girls on my team are dedicated to this cause because they are aware of the battle women diagnosed with breast cancer undergo and want to contribute to a nonprofit organization dedicated to fighting this disease. I, on the other hand, am motivated to raise money for “Dig for the Cure” by my personal experience with my mother's breast cancer battle.
When I was a freshman in high school, my mother, Susan Chamblee, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The despairing news was unexpected in my family. My mother is an amazing woman who lives her life for God, her family and her career and has such an unselfish, loving heart. Never did I imagine that such a kind, strong, healthy woman would be told she had the possibility of dying. I've watched my mother receive the news of the deadly disease; I've watched her hair fall out while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and I've watched both her breasts surgically removed during a double mastectomy. But never did I see my mom lose faith in God and expose any moments of weakness or surrender. During her life-threatening battle, my mother's visage of femininity and strength was never once shattered. I've never seen my mother look so beautiful and strong as she did while fighting cancer. Though she was physically weak, her character was strong, and she continued to be a remarkable mother and wife.
When the battle was finally over and my mother was done with treatment and surgery, I was so thankful that God had not only carried her through to survival, but had given her a renewed strength. Today, my mother is still the amazing woman she was before cancer and even stronger and wiser because of her experience. In September she became a five-year survivor of breast cancer. This past summer my mother, her sister and niece, and I spent a weekend at the beach for our annual beach getaway. This summer, however, we labeled the weekend “A Celebration of Life.” The four of us, along with 50 of her closest friends and family who sent letters of commemoration, celebrated specifically my mother's survival of breast cancer and in general the greatness of life. My mother's experience with breast cancer has taught me just how valuable life is and just how quickly and unexpectedly life can be threatened with death.
The truth is, even though my mother's breast cancer battle is over, it is not for many other women in the world. Millions of women have, are, and will be diagnosed with breast cancer. I support “Dig for the Cure” because I want to help raise funds for an organization whose mission is to find a cure to prevent women from experiencing the same struggles my mother experienced during her life-threatening battle. I hope that “Dig for the Cure” will further breast cancer awareness and the fight against it.
"Being a cancer survivor definitely gives you a different perspective on the world," Susan Chamblee shares. "Little things definitely don't bother you so much. Your relationships become that much more important.
"Everyone likes to think they will live forever, but being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease certainly reminds you that all of us are only on this earth for a short while," she continues. "So we need to make sure we are focus on what's important! Five years ago I did not expect to be here today. I have friends who have not survived this horrible disease, and sometimes I wonder why God is allowing me this extra time...I am very thankful, for sure!"
When I was a freshman in high school, my mother, Susan Chamblee, was diagnosed with breast cancer. The despairing news was unexpected in my family. My mother is an amazing woman who lives her life for God, her family and her career and has such an unselfish, loving heart. Never did I imagine that such a kind, strong, healthy woman would be told she had the possibility of dying. I've watched my mother receive the news of the deadly disease; I've watched her hair fall out while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation, and I've watched both her breasts surgically removed during a double mastectomy. But never did I see my mom lose faith in God and expose any moments of weakness or surrender. During her life-threatening battle, my mother's visage of femininity and strength was never once shattered. I've never seen my mother look so beautiful and strong as she did while fighting cancer. Though she was physically weak, her character was strong, and she continued to be a remarkable mother and wife.
The truth is, even though my mother's breast cancer battle is over, it is not for many other women in the world. Millions of women have, are, and will be diagnosed with breast cancer. I support “Dig for the Cure” because I want to help raise funds for an organization whose mission is to find a cure to prevent women from experiencing the same struggles my mother experienced during her life-threatening battle. I hope that “Dig for the Cure” will further breast cancer awareness and the fight against it.
"Being a cancer survivor definitely gives you a different perspective on the world," Susan Chamblee shares. "Little things definitely don't bother you so much. Your relationships become that much more important.
"Everyone likes to think they will live forever, but being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease certainly reminds you that all of us are only on this earth for a short while," she continues. "So we need to make sure we are focus on what's important! Five years ago I did not expect to be here today. I have friends who have not survived this horrible disease, and sometimes I wonder why God is allowing me this extra time...I am very thankful, for sure!"
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