Assistant Theater Director Sara Corley proudly wears her pink ribbon during the month of October, which represents Breast Cancer Awareness Month. After her diagnosis of breast cancer seven years ago, she shares her story that made her who she is today.
“Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important to me because not only did it affect me, but it affected those in my life,” Ms. Corley said. “My son was a senior at the time, making me miss important moments of his. I wasn’t able to participate and had to sit still because of my surgeries and treatments.”
Many individuals offer support to Breast Cancer Awareness Month by fundraising for donations to the Susan G. Komen foundation, bringing awareness through schools, or even by proudly wearing the color pink, which represents hope for a cure.
“When October comes around, everyone is wearing pink,” Ms. Corley said. “This makes me feel supported because it is something that is so true to me and what many women and I have been through.”
After visiting many doctors determined to find answers, a large tumor appeared on Ms. Corley. She endured a nine-hour-long double mastectomy, removing the tumor without any chemotherapy. Even after all of the hospital visits, the physical toll on her body did not come to be the only difficulty.
“What people don’t see is difficult since you go about your daily life, even though it doesn’t feel the same,” Ms. Corley said. “The support from people around makes me realize this could have gone so many different ways, and many women do not have stories like mine, despite their fight.”
Along with Ms. Corley, other survivors share their impactful perspectives on having breast cancer. Even with no history of breast cancer in her family, Advanced Geometry teacher and Hope Squad sponsor Ms. Susan Floyd was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020.
”Being a runner, I considered myself healthy and thought that there was no way that I would ever have cancer,” Ms. Floyd said. “If I had not listened to my doctor to get checked, I would have never known.”
Despite her active spirit, Ms. Floyd feared the consequences of cancer and how it could take over her life.
”It was terrifying for me to even hear that I had cancer,” Ms. Floyd said. “I just remember praying to be able to live to see my future grandchildren and thankfully I’m expecting my first one this January.”
Not only did cancer take an emotional toll on Ms. Floyd, but it also stopped her from doing what she loved.
”The surgery left me stuck in a reclining chair for six weeks, stopping me from returning to work,” Ms. Floyd said. “I constantly battled with dizziness and fatigue on my way to a full recovery.”
Although the burden of cancer loomed over her life, it allowed Ms. Floyd to find a new way to live her life to the fullest.
”Cancer humbled me, making me realize that you are never above it and it can hit anyone,” Ms. Floyd said. “Tell your friends and family how special they are and always live with no regrets.”
Although cancer caused their lives to completely flip, it helps them to tell their perspectives to others and live with valuable lessons forever.
”Having cancer made me realize that life is precious,” Ms. Corley said. “When life gets tough, always know that something is better out there.”
