I have known many people, family and friends, that have survived a form of cancer or succumbed to the nasty devil that ate away at their body. A grandmother, my father, my mother, an aunt, a teacher… more every day and all dearly close to me.

Cancer is a part of all of us, even if it is not our own body fighting against it.

Of these many family and friends, three courageous women lost their battle with breast cancer; one woman survived to tell her tale. Although I honor them all year long, during the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I make it a point to speak out in my community about how each one of us can help in finding a cure.

My little voice, along with many, can make history and inspire others.

Just a little bit ago, I sat here, in this very spot, reading an article of inspiration about 15 women that survived breast cancer and shared their stories. Something I knew, but reading this article only confirmed, cancer hits at every age and women can survive at every stage.

Thank you to Women’s Health Magazine for bringing together such great stories of inspiration.