by Kristine Kussro

It’s October! We know this because of the beautiful colors that fall and October brings. The vibrant reds, oranges and yellows of the changing trees create spectacular scenery and brilliant landscapes. But we have also come to know October for another color: PINK! October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. So we see pink and pink ribbons everywhere! Pink ribbon apparel is the rage all of a sudden come October. All the sporting goods stores become flooded with pink ribbon apparel. We even see the college and professional athletic teams go all out with pink shoes and accessories.

Did you know that 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer? Almost 300,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. this year alone. Worldwide there will be 1.3 million cases diagnosed. Breast cancer will take over 40,000 lives in the U.S. this year and 448,000 worldwide. For women, breast cancer is by far the most common cancer.

With these statistics, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is marked in countries across the world every October, has become more decorative than ever before. The goal is to increase attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment of breast cancer. With insufficient knowledge of the exact causes of breast cancer, early detection of the disease remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. When breast cancer is detected early, and if adequate diagnosis and treatment are available, there is a good chance that breast cancer can be cured. If detected late, however, curative treatment is often no longer an option. So we must spread the word! Early detection is paramount. And education is the key to early detection. Mammograms and clinical and self-examinations are critical in preventing breast cancer and should be regularly discussed with each woman’s physician. Remind the women that you love, wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends to be diligent!

I am the perfect example of diligence. And pink is my color. I am a three year breast cancer survivor! Diligence saved my life. But cancer changed my life. I was diagnosed in early 2012 with stage III breast cancer. My journey was long but not without cause. Faith, family, and friends got me through. My husband was my rock. My children: my reason to live. But what did I learn on my journey? I learned what true strength and courage are when you are facing paralyzing fear. Life is short and precious. And tomorrow may not come. But today I can make a difference! It seems so simple. But in our busy lives we tend to ignore what seems obvious. My advice to everyone, take time to smell the coffee. Take that vacation with your family that you never seem to have time to do. Look for that new job, the one you’ve always dreamed of. Quit procrastinating because the current one seems safe. Go bungee jumping! Go skydiving! Be STRONG! Be COURAGEOUS! Be BOLD! My motto: “Don’t simply survive, THRIVE!”

My family’s journey has been long. But life happens and we can’t change it. Would I want to change it? Probably not. Adversity makes us stronger. It builds character. And as my husband so eloquently put it “We’ve had more laughter than tears along the way.”

Happy October! Think PINK!!

Please feel free to e-mail me at [email protected] with any comments.