Celebrating a milestone.

Twenty years ago, at 45 years old, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: "You have cancer." In an instant, my life changed forever. Every doctor's appointment, every treatment, every surgery, and every test became milestones in a journey I never expected to take.

Like so many people facing a cancer diagnosis, I was scared and uncertain about what the future would hold. Then a friend, who had faced her own battle with ovarian cancer, introduced me to Support Connection. That introduction changed my life.

Support Connection became more than a resource—it became a lifeline. Through peer counselors and my support group, I found encouragement, understanding, and hope. They helped me find the strength to keep moving forward, even on the days when fear and depression threatened to take over. They reminded me that I wasn't fighting this battle alone, and that made all the difference.

In September I will be 65 years old and celebrating 20 years of survivorship. I often think about that frightened 45-year-old woman who wasn't sure she would see this day.

Cancer left scars, both visible and invisible, but it also gave me a deeper appreciation for life. It showed me that healing isn't just about medicine—it's also about the kindness, encouragement, and support we receive from others.

Support Connection was there for me when I needed it most, providing all of its services completely free of charge. Every person facing breast, ovarian, or gynecological cancer deserves that same support, hope, and understanding.

As I celebrate this milestone, I'm asking you to help ensure that no one has to face cancer alone. Your donation—no matter the amount—helps Support Connection continue to offer free peer counseling, support groups, wellness programs, and educational services to people whose lives have been turned upside down by a cancer diagnosis.

Thank you for celebrating this milestone with me and for supporting an organization that has given so much to me and to countless others. Together, we can make sure that hope is always within reach.