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April 11, 2013

Cancer Sucks

{via}


I'm not sure if many of you know much about my career, but I have the privilege of working with cancer patients and their families every single day. Although many are so thankful for the help and resources that I help seek out, it doesn't even come close to how blessed and humbled I feel to be able to help lift their spirits.
You also may not know that my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2006.

I was a 19-year-old college freshman who instantly had to learn how to become a caregiver. To take care of her and my family. To have experienced my mom's cancer battle, and to have have been on the family member side, it has forever touched my heart and shaped my career path.


{Mom and my siblings on the last day of chemo}


I spent my college summers interning in both San Francisco and Dallas for the nation's top pediatric cancer organization. I spent my school year volunteering as the executive director for a campus fundraising event that annually raised $60,000+ for kids with cancer. But that wasn't enough.

I fell in love with helping people who have cancer even more.

A few years after college, I moved to Kansas City to accept my dream job, where I work now. Little did I know my heart would be shaped even more for cancer patients when my dad was diagnosed with throat cancer in May 2011.


 {Adam shaved his head for my dad while he was going through treatment}


Thankfully, both of my parents have reached remission and we are grateful for their health every single day. This morning, our staff was blessed to hear two amazing ladies, both moms to cancer surviving kiddos, speak during one of our trainings. They blew me away and reminded me, once again, why I do what I do. They gave me goose bumps and refocused my passion.

Wow.

Maybe you know of a friend or loved one going through their own battle? Please know that there is so much hope. Please know that we are working so hard to find that cure so that no baby, grandma, uncle, friend, cousin or sister ever has to fight this disease.

Cancer just sucks.

Perhaps you are inspired to do something more? Something bigger than yourself, but don't know where to start?

Join the fight.

Get involved.
Raise funds.
Love on someone.
Volunteer.
Donate your hair.
Knit a hat.
Anything.


Let's kick cancer together.


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16 comments:

  1. My Mom is also a Breast Cancer survivor so this post touches me very dear to my heart. It's great what you do for others and you have just inspired me to get involved in another way, thanks!

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  2. You are definitely an inspiration Meg.. thanks for sharing..

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  3. You are such a wonderful person for working in cancer care! I'm so happy to hear your parents are in remission!!!! When I was planning my wedding, my mom was diagnosed with lymphoma and my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the exact same time. It was a really hard year for all of us. But luckily they are both in remission too (two years almost to the day)! Thank you for what you do.

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  4. Amazing :) I had no idea you worked in the cancer field as well! I work for the American Cancer Society in Ohio and I love it so much. Working with volunteers, hearing their stories, getting close to them and becoming family, planning Relay For Life events...it's amazing. I am SO happy to hear your parents are in remission!! But I am also grateful that you're still helping to "finish the fight" :) Keep it up!!!

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  5. I didn't know that's what kind of work that you were in! Many of my family members died from cancer and I HATE it! I'm doing relay for life in May in honor of them and I can't wait! :)

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  6. Seven months living with NED (no evidence of disease). I walked my first Relay For Life as a survivor this past Saturday and I was so overcome with emotion I had to leave. I applaud anyone who works with cancer patients because I know we are a tough lot. I also know we appreciate you every single day. My oncologist is awesome, my oncology nurses were fabulous and the hospice nurses who took care of my mom in her final days were wonderful. I lost both parents to cancer and when I was diagnosed I decided I was going to WIN! And I did. I am ALIVE! And I am busy living every day!!!
    Read my whole story about fighting cancer with no family, and winning!
    www.breastcancerbattlescars.net

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  7. You're amazing for doing that everyday! My brother in law had stage 3 testicular cancer and when I would go to chemo with him I just loved everyone. It takes a special kind of person for a job like that.

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  8. You're amazing for doing that everyday! My brother in law had stage 3 testicular cancer and when I would go to chemo with him I just loved everyone. It takes a special kind of person for a job like that.

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  9. Love this!! You are a very special lady!

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  10. You and your family are so strong and blessed! Thanks for sharing this :)

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  11. My dad was just diagnosed with lymphoma. I still don't know how bad it is or what stage since my parents live in Oklahoma and my mom hasn't found out yet. He's apparently already lost 80lbs and my dad's a big guy. Knowing both your parents pulled through gives me some hope so thanks for posting this, it came at exactly the right time.

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  12. I loved this post, Megan. You have a way with words that truly touches people.

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  13. wow, you have definitely been touched by cancer personally. I have a good friend whose husband had cancer and two friends whose kids had/have cancer. also a friend whose both parents had/have cancer. it is so hard to understand.

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  15. What an inspiring post. I actually have a necklace that I wear that has this quote on it; I got it from my mom who passed away from breast cancer last August. It is incredible how many people have been touched by this disease; so happy to hear that you parents are both doing well and that you are part of the crusade to help find a cure!

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  16. My mommy was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in summer '11...she has just now reached remission! And we are ever so grateful to the Lord for that!

    Thank you for all you do!

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