Bringing Awareness to Breast Cancer

The weight and presence of cancer is deeply woven into the fabric of my life story. From an early age, I developed a healthy fear of cancer when my oldest cousin died at 27 years old from this disease.

I was only kindergarten-aged but still recall seeing pictures of Crissy’s beautiful smile and finding it so sad and confusing that she died so young.?

Years later, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer (after already battling lung cancer) and ultimately had a mastectomy. The disease continued to impact my family when both of my mother’s sisters were also diagnosed with breast cancer. After courageous battles and full lives, my mother and her sisters ultimately died of cancer.?

My mother passed when I was six weeks pregnant with our first and only daughter and I mourned that our baby would never know the joy of being held by, and spending time with her grandmother.?

"For me, the decision to go through with my surgery was about listening to the option that most spoke the word LIFE."

In 2013, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer and courageously endured two years of medical process and treatment. As cancer had impacted or claimed the lives of so many of my family members, I became very focused on gaining knowledge about what I could do to ensure the greatest chance for a full and healthy life.?

Years ago gaining knowledge wasn’t easy and decisions felt scary. But I pursued information and became active in my health care and insisted on screenings early, undergoing a number of needed biopsies. I ultimately did genetic testing and found out I had the NBN gene, with a link to breast and colon cancer. In 2015, I made the very difficult decision to undergo a preventive double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.?

Just one week after my surgery, the pathology tests revealed that I was cancer positive in both breasts. This was shocking since my mammograms, MRIs and ultrasounds all had come back clear. I was relieved to learn that because I was stage zero, I had a very, very low chance of developing breast cancer ever again.?

I believe in telling our stories, as hearing other people’s stories throughout my life has had such an impact on the decisions I have made and the person I have wanted to become. It was a joy to recently meet Philecia LaBounty, who works in Sunrun’s Orange County office and also has an amazing story I have learned so much from. Philecia is courageously battling stage 4 breast cancer and undergoing repeated treatments and has made it her mission to educate as many women as possible about being proactive about your healthcare. She does that all while maintaining enthusiasm for our mission. It’s an honor to work alongside her!

As we work together, we can raise awareness and hopefully save lives. The power to make choices is rooted in education and having the correct information and knowledge at your fingertips. I thank you for your love and support for one another.

Mary Powell