Since 2018, Breast Cancer Awareness Month means something different to me. It’s more than a pink ribbon and #prayers. It’s a personal mission to be a mouthpiece for early detection and advocacy. But in the beginning, I was reluctant to share my story publicly. Jackie Marushka said the magic words to me, “Maybe sharing your story will encourage someone else to get their mammogram.” Sold.

Soon I was on the phone with Tricia Despres giving an interview for PEOPLE that I am fairly certain I cried all the way through. I remember listening to sweet Tricia’s voice and her reassuring me that she knew what I was trying to say and that “she had me.” I don’t remember what I even said to her. There are just some moments that transcend working relationships and my trust in her to help me craft my story was a big step in letting down a wall that I was tired of holding up. I wanted to put myself out there if I knew it would help someone else, even though it was scary.

The end of 2018 and most of 2019, I was walking around in shock. At age 41 I found myself battling HER2+ breast cancer, going through six surgeries, enduring twelve rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy all while trying to keep my shit together at work and caring for my children who were only 2 and 6 at the time. To say I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. On top of that, during this time, three important people to me passed away… from cancer.

I was broken but held up by group of survivors that kept me strong. Without my husband, co-workers, a few friends and a very small handful of my doctors and nurses, I am not sure my recovery would have been as successful. My circle got tight and I began to protect my energy more. Eventually, the physical wounds healed, and I began to live in my new normal. I even started to look like my “old” self again. But I wasn’t the same. I’d never be her again.

Slowly but surely as I got stronger in my body, I also became resolved not to have wasted days. I shared my story more and as my survivor circle did for me when I was first diagnosed, I took hushed coffee meetings or late-night phone calls recognizing the tone of trying to accept you’ve just been given life-altering news and you are fucking scared. I tried my best to pay it forward and by doing so, I felt I was honoring all those meetings and calls I had made in November of 2018.  

Fast forward, last year I hit my five-year mark on the drug Tamoxifen, which I affectionally refer to a very, very effective asshole of a drug (have five more years to go!) and somehow convinced some very special friends to walk 60 miles and raise money for Susan G. Komen to commemorate the milestone. In keeping with the theme of my life to “go big or go bigger,” we raised more money than any rookie team that year—thanks to a lot of you who donated! This year, I am training (slowly) for my first marathon. We do recover!

We can do so much when we share our stories. There are a million reasons we tell ourselves not to be who we really are and pretend to be strong when we aren’t or pretend to have the answers when we don’t. I truly believe that most people want to help, want to be of use to other human beings, even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it online.

I am a marketing person and aware of the power of media, so putting myself in a public forum talking about my boobs was pretty intimidating. But what I got in return for sharing was an outpouring of love and support, that in this October 2024, for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I can still feel years down the path of survivorship. Now, to be fair, there were some absolute trash comments and creepers, but there’s comfort in knowing that the internet is just the internet and changes for no one.  

Here are some helpful tips if you are wondering how to help or what to say if someone you know is battling this horrible disease.  Please get or encourage the women you love to get their mammograms. Every Year. It's more important than ever to advocate for yourself medically. A mammogram is your first step.

The statistics aren’t moving in the right direction, so any awareness that comes in funds, is always a good idea. There are plenty of organizations out there, but my favorites are Music Health Alliance and Susan G. Komen. Or maybe you want to walk 60 miles with me in 2025? Just throwing the idea out there in case you feel like goin’ the biggest. HMU.

Be good… online and in real life,
Jennie

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