My very first “real” job (read: no waiting tables), I worked for a private practice OB/GYN clinic. Working at the office I was exposed to so many good and bad things. Many miracle babies were born, many lives were saved because of early detection and unfortunately, many women were diagnosed with breast cancer. All of the those breast cancer diagnosis were tragic but the most tragic of all was when one of our own was diagnosed.
When Jan was diagnosed, it hit our group hard. As our main triage nurse, she was the one who was constantly reassuring patients and answering their questions about the problems and conditions they had. Now, she was on the other end, asking the questions to which she really already knew the answers. She was young, I don’t remember her exact age at her diagnosis but if she was over 40, it was just by a few years. Jan was a trooper. She approached her diagnosis with a positive attitude and brought humor to the situation when she could. Though she was short in stature, she was very blessed when it came to the size of her “girls.” I’ll never forget her letting my co-worker and friend, Melanie and me “play” with her prothesis before her reconstructive surgery. While some people might think this was inappropriate, it was just her way of bringing humor to a situation in which there isn’t much to laugh about.
Her life after her breast cancer diagnosis was filled with all the things that made her happy. She was happily married and had adopted two beautiful girls from China. Jan had everything she wanted in life: a husband, a beautiful family and crazy co-workers to keep her laughing. She accomplished all her dreams and was happy. Everything was going so well and then the cancer returned. And it returned with a vengeance. Jan was a warrior but the cancer’s recurrence was just too much for her. Sadly, Jan passed away in 2006.
As a strong supporter of breast cancer research funding, I am proud to support the Ford Warriors in Pink® that raises awareness and funds in the fight against breast cancer.
You too can get involved in this tremendously worthy program! When you buy Ford Warriors in Pink apparel at fordcares.com, 100 percent of the net proceeds go directly to support breast cancer awareness all year long. They have apparel for both women and men. Just look at these shirts that symbolize all the things that breast cancer survivors are! They are stylish and deliver a powerful message. I’m ordering a shirt and I’m wearing it for Jan, for my aunt Sandy and for all the other women AND men who have been diagnosed with this disease.
To keep connected, be sure to check out Ford Warriors in Pink on Facebook and follow@WarriorsinPink on Twitter.
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ford Warriors in Pink. The opinions and text are all mine.
About Sarah
Twitter: chascouponmom
says:
We lost my Sister In Law at 31 to cancer… and one of the MEN you wrote about was my daughter’s favorite teacher last year – he survived his round with cancer and has been cancer free for 5 years… so I’m so glad to see that Ford is getting involved!
Twitter: FabFindsbyTiff
says:
Those girls are great, love them. I would proudly wear one even though I’ve never known anyone close to me with cancer. I love how much support and awareness is out there in the world today about breast cancer.
This is so sad. I recently found out that an old coworker died of cancer, but that was the first time anyone I knew had cancer. It’s so scary!
I am so sorry for your loss. It is so hard to lose someone we care about, thank you so much for trying to raise awareness about this important issue!
This is so sad. My best friends mom had breast cancer but we are lucky she was a surviver. I am going to be getting mamagrams yearly as long as the dr. says it is good. It is so scary!
I also lost a dear co-worker to breast cancer. She was doing so well and then it came back with a vengeance. She was a young wife and mother and taken much too soon. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
Twitter: sweeptight
says:
This is so sad and scary. Every time I turn around it seems like someone else that I know gets diagnosed! Thank you for sharing your story and this program!
Oh how sad, I’m so sorry about your coworker and friend! Cancer is a terrible thing. Thanks for sharing this–I wasn’t aware of the Ford Warriors thing, I’m definitely going to check it out.
Thank for sharing Jan’s story. Through you, she lives on. Bless you for your efforts with Ford Cares!
Twitter: scentednights
says:
What a wonderful program. Thank you so much for sharing.
I’m sorry to hear she didn’t win her battle with breast cancer. My aunt also fought valiantly as well. I love hearing about programs like this and those tops are very stylish and I’m thrilled to hear that 100% of the proceeds go to fighting breast cancer.
Twitter: CinnyBBS
says:
Breast cancer is really prevalent and is very difficult to fight. One of my aunt’s passed away because of it at a young age.
This is very sad! My mom in law died of cancer too