I'm wanting to raise money for 5th Annual OMG! Cancer Summit For Young Adults – in LAS VEGAS! I so want to attend this conference and be apart of something amazing plus the money I raise will give me benefits, and the opportunity to attend this conference.

Where the money goes:
The OMG! Cancer Summit is the premiere oncology conference and social networking event for the young adult cancer movement.

A program of the I'm Too Young For This! Cancer Foundation, the OMG! Cancer Summit, now in it's 5th year, has become a pivotal healthcare event that inspires thousands of survivors, caregivers and providers—along with scores of academic, advocacy, research and support organizations—to get organized, build community and unite as one to drive change.

Please help ME!!!!
 

I was diagnosed with stage II B Breast Cancer at the age of 26 in the summer of 2007, we were just getting ready to celebrate my son’s 2nd birthday. The diagnosis was tough but I felt I could deal with anything. My older brother was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia six months prior, and I thought if he can fight then so can I. I underwent chemotherapy, bilateral mastectomies, radiation, and then reconstructive surgery. It was not an easy time, but I felt I was finally back to feeling normal. I decided to continue with my college education. In the Spring of 2009 I started to feel pain in my right shoulder (same side as my cancer), I was tossed around and missed diagnosed. When I finally sought help with a different oncologist I was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer in my lymph nodes the summer of 2009.  I underwent more chemotherapy, and I still continued with my education. During routine scans in the Spring of 2010, we had found that my cancer had spread to my right lung. Now this was a low blow to me and my family. We just couldn’t seem to catch a break. I started on a different regimen, and with scans showing progression we decided on a new procedure called “Cyberknife”. It is a very different take on radiation. The procedure seemed successful but found the cancer had been able to spread.  Today we are still fighting the cancer, seeming to be one step behind the whole time.

I graduated from Pittsburg State University, May 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Communications. One weekend later, the devastating EF-5 tornado took the life of my Grandfather and my husband’s aunt. A friend looked at me and said “I have survived the tornado and you have survived cancer”.  Have I really survived cancer?

My story isn’t just a story about heart ache and pain, or the unfairness cancer has brought to my life, but really the story of being able to overcome all obstacles. My life has never been “easy”, but then who guaranteed that. I have many blessings, a 6 year old healthy son, a wonderful marriage of 9 years, amazing support group of family and friends.  A few awards honored to me by my community for the volunteer work and advocacy I have done. The support group I have managed with the help of other “pink sisters” and the HOPE 4 You Breast Cancer Foundation. I have been able substitute in two different school districts. I’m doing my best to advocate and spread the word everyday about what breast cancer does to women and men. We are left with physical and mental scars of what this cancer does. Most are never “cured” so we are left to “THRIVE”. So when you think of a metavivor, think of me: a wife, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a friend who is continually fighting every day for a tomorrow.