i believe in answers

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This is for Mom, who battled breast cancer at the young age of 38. Mom, who endured aggressive radiation and underwent a tough surgery that scarred and removed half of her right breast, while keeping everything a secret so as not to worry us.

This is for Donna, a woman I work with. Donna battled breast cancer two years ago, underwent a double masectomy and advanced chemo treatments, wearing a wig so her two daughters never saw her lose her hair. And her biggest fear, to this day, is that one day her daughters might get it. Donna doesn't wear a padded bra, instead defies peoples' perceptions of struggle and wears her battles proudly and also with the humility that only a survivor can have.

This is for Lindsay, whose aunt and cousin died of the disease after a long and painful battle. Lindsay tattooed the pink ribbon on her arm to never forget.

This is for my two best friends and I, because statistics show that in the coming years, one of us will have it.

This is for the women that lost their hair, and the women that shaved their heads before the chemo could ravage it. This is for the women that have one breast or no breasts, and the women that bear the scars of their battle. This is for the women who won, whether in this life or in a life beyond our understanding. For the women in pain, and for the women who no longer feel the pain.

This is for the survivors, for the departed, for the warriors, the moms, the grandmas, the aunts, the sisters.

This is for women.

Let's find a cure.