Our Story

My journey with breast cancer began on one of the scariest days of the year - Halloween.

I remember it clearly. I was 31 years old, the mother of 2 and 5 months pregnant. Yah...Scary.

To say I was shocked would be a understatement. I was young and healthy with no history of breast cancer in my family. I'm too young to have cancer...right?!!

Obviously cancer didn't care.

After delivering a healthy baby boy (Hooray!) and an auxiliary node dissection surgery, my final stage was 2A. When my baby was 6 weeks old I began chemotherapy, and like most everyone else,  I had no idea what I was in for! My experience with the side effects of chemotherapy was not the greatest. Show me a person who's experience with chemo is great and I'll show you a liar. Although our bodies all handle it differently, we do have one thing in common - the experience isn't fun.

I firmly believe there is a way to find good even in the worst situations. Sometimes, it's very hard to do - especially when you are being killed on a cellular level in order that you may live - but making the choice to find the good, no matter how difficult it may be, makes all the difference.

The good I found was inside those around me and I set out to make their chemotherapy experience a little more positive. On my 'good' days, I'd take my newborn and two older children and meet with local and national companies who could provide discounts, sample products and free services. Then, before I was hooked up for my chemo, I'd give out these presents to the other patients in an effort to brighten their day. There is nothing better than seeing smiles replace frowns and listen to the happy chit-chat of those who know that someone cares about them. And I do.

As I handed out the presents, I'd wish the patients, 'Happy Chemo!' knowing full well the true extent of that oxymoron. But consider this: a wish of 'Happy Birthday' doesn't mean the person's day is going to be fabulous. It means that you desire happiness for them. Happy Chemo! is a similar declaration and one that will change the way millions of cancer patients experience chemotherapy and cancer treatments.

Cancer is something that I have known very personally. A few months after I finished my treatments, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Esophageal cancer (my poor mother!). Then my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I had to switch from being a patient, to being a caregiver very quickly. I soon learned that being a caregiver, a friend, or even an attending nurse is not easy either. Sometimes, I think it's almost more difficult.

Thanks to a dedicated oncologist and lots of prayer, my father is miraculously alive and well today, as is my aunt. Together we stand as survivors.

Since my first treatment began in 2007 to today, Happy Chemo! has been easing the burden cancer brings by building a strong network of freebies, discounts and resources provided by qualified businesses and organizations for those affected by cancer. We are working to change the cancer experience from one of negativity and despair into something a little brighter and our goal is to reach every cancer patient in America.

Sound impossible? I don't think so. 'Impossible' is just a reason for someone not to try.

Join with us and let's do some good together.

Yours in Health & Happiness,