October is here, and suddenly pink is everywhere. Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons decorate signs and billboards, NFL uniforms and police patches, and at Susan G. Komen 5K races for the cure. The more outlandish the team costumes, the better. Pink is a statement color, showing that you aren’t afraid to be noticed or stand out, but behind every ribbon, every patch, there is a story about how someone we know and love has been affected by breast cancer.

Here is mine.

A few years ago, a dear friend took me aside. You’ll never forget that look in someone’s eyes, right before they share something life-altering. I’m the coach’s wife, and as such, Charmaine turned to me to address plans for her daughter, a player on our soccer team. She needed to make sure that her daughter was covered for practices and that we would understand that she might be late to some things or miss other things altogether because Charmaine was starting treatment for breast cancer.

That day, after hugs and promises that we would be there for her, and that the team would be there to support their family through the thick and thin, I booked my mammogram.

One week later, I stood in the changing room confronted by those ill-fitting pink wrap-arounds. I placed my belongings in a little locker, and the tears came hard and fast – along with an internal promise. Somehow, I would do my best to make a difference for Charmaine.

While she was sick, I learned more about Charmaine than I ever knew before by listening to stories woven by her mother – a soccer mom from days gone by. We learned that Charmaine was once on the women’s national soccer team, an accomplished soccer player in her own right. She was an athlete who knew her strengths and faced down her weaknesses.

Today, Charmaine is a survivor. She survived her mastectomy, reconstruction, rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. Her hair has grown back from its wealth of rich black curls to her new spirals of silver. She is a fighter. Last year, she and her daughter proudly marched out on the field to co-captain a game. We all wore our pink to show support for her journey to recovery.

I am grateful that Charmaine is with us. She has taught us how precious each moment is, with family and friends on the soccer sidelines or beyond.

What is your breast cancer survivor story? Patch wants to know the survivors in your life. We want to hear the stories of your Angels. We want to share the GoFundMe’s and stories you have to tell.

Send your photos and messages to your Patch Editor and we will share your stories as a message of support, hope and love this October 2018.

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Souk Kraus, courtesy photo

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