I was 10 years old when my funny, witty, loving father, David Bigam, died after a long fight with lung cancer.
I was 28 years old when my brilliant, strong, talented grandmother, Jeanne Goldman, died after a brief battle with lung cancer.
That same year, my perseverant, compassionate, & kind-hearted friend Elissa Froman died after years of Hodgins Lymphoma.
Elissa preferred not to use words like "fight" or "battle" to describe her experience, but she did, indeed, fight like hell.
They all did.
Cancer has touched all our lives in some way - & for so many of us, it's personal. Remembering my friends & loved ones - not just my dad, or my grandma, or my friend, but nearly a dozen others who have survived or fallen to cancer - I am inspired to join the American Cancer Society's Colors of Cancer campaign.
Throughout the month of September, I'll be wearing white (nearly every day, if I can manage it) to represent lung cancer awareness in memory of my dad & my grandma. I'll pepper my September outfits, too, with accessories in purple (Hodgkins Lymphoma awareness, for Elissa) & pink (breast cancer awareness, in memory of my childhood friend Julia Hoy, who died of the disease just last summer).
And most importantly, I will spend the month raising my voice & raising money for groundbreaking research & services for people currently facing forms of this heartbreaking disease. All funds raised through Colors of Cancer will support cancer patient programs & groundbreaking research that can help save lives.
Will you join me by making a donation in memory or in honor of someone you love?
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