We make Casa Mia our home. A personal space where we share intimate moments with our readers and followers. This is me, Gina, opening up. I want mom to feel supported in anyway that I can, using Casa Mia as the platform for her and cancer awareness.
Approximately 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives. Over 50% of Americans say they or someone else in their immediate family has been diagnosed with cancer at some point. As I write this, there is a flutter in my chest, my eyes well up with tears and my lips quiver.
I have never felt quite so helpless as to when my family got the news in 2020. There was COVID, the landslide of Mom’s (Nancy) diagnosis of ovarian cancer and an ocean between us. It still takes my breath away; a piece of my heart is broken. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy and fought for her life. Close to four years later, it’s back, in a different form. I cry writing this.
It is obvious to say, Mom has been with me since before I was born. I had her all to myself for 5 years before my gorgeous baby sister arrived. I could write a book about her but I won’t; instead I’ll share something that she has engrained in me.
“It is easy to complain about things, instead find one thing everyday to be happy about, be grateful.”
Today I am grateful for her, her perseverance, her love of life, and her smile.
On September 28th, Team Nancy will be walking/running a 5k to raise money for Ovations for the Cure in Newburyport, MA. Ovations has dedicated over $1.8 million to ovarian cancer research, awareness, and patient programs. They have helped Mom. She hopes to walk the last 1/2 mile with us. Please donate to help us reach our goal. If you’re close to Newburyport, join us for the walk. I would love to meet you.
One of Team Nancy’s member is Kathy aka “Mick” to me. Mick, pictured above and below, is an incredible human being, life coach, 11 time marathon runner, adventurous travel buddy and baker extraordinaire who is a two time cancer survivor. After two years of fighting two unrelated cancers, she will be joining us on September 28th and she will be a “living proof” rider in the Pan-Mass Challenge on Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3. The event is an annual fundraising bike ride that supports the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 100% of every rider-raised dollar goes to cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. All donations are very welcome.
My hope is to raise awareness with every step – “Fighting with love, walking with hope”.
