This week, we’re sharing Emily’s story, a woman who battled and conquered breast cancer when she was only 23, and later discovered and became very close to B4BC. Read her story here, and don’t forget to Check One, Two.
Since 2005, B4BC has been encouraging you to “share your story” as a means to connect with, inspire, and inform our community at large. Breast cancer has touched many of our lives…Tell us why It’s Personal for you by sending an email with your story and a photo to itspersonal@b4bc.org
Emily Cochran, Age 28
The diagnosis of breast cancer is devastating news at any age. When I was diagnosed at 23 every part of me changed. Facing a life threatening illness before I ever graduated from college threw my life into overdrive. I knew that this disease affected thousands of others, yet it was hard for me to relate to the other women at my clinic because all of them were twice as old as I was. I found a strange independence through learning how to deal alone with a bald head or reassuring myself that my peers would not think any differently of me because of the physical changes I had been through. I could talk to family and friends during this strange time, but it was more like telling a story instead of talking to someone who really understood.
I discovered B4BC two years after my diagnosis. I picked up Tina’s book in a bookstore and opened it directly to the chapter about Monica’s story and the creation of B4BC. Since I live in Aspen I called B4BC to see if I could do anything when they were coming in town for the Winter XGames. Justine and I became fast friends and I enjoyed every minute spent with each person associated with the organization.
Discovering B4BC has helped me to continue my path of healing by educating and helping other young adults. The mission is so simple, yet so essential to helping women and men understand the importance of being proactive about their health. It’s important for other young adults to be able to access an organization that can put you in direct contact with people who may also feel your pain.
I have always told others that the surgery and chemo took the cancer away, but maintaining a positive attitude has helped me to continue to stay healthy physically and emotionally. There are many people that have taken me to the next level of healing. B4BC remains at the top of that list. My dedication to B4BC is beyond what it was 2 years ago and I am confident that soon there will be young survivors that won’t have to start their journey alone as I did.
