I was 43 when I found a lump in my breast . My grandmother on my mother’s side had breast cancer and I had checked my breasts on a regular basis. So it didn’t come to me as a big shock when I found out that I had breast cancer. I am very grateful that I detected the lump at an early stage. I was not scared so much for myself, but I had a 3 year old son, my only child. He was still so young and I wanted to be there for him. I had waited a long time to become a mom and wanted to see him grow up. I think that gave me a big will to fight this disease.

I had a lumpectomy , chemo for 6 months and radiation for 7 weeks. Fortunately I did not have any severe side effects from the cancer or the treatments. I started losing my hair Christmas Eve and my husband shaved my head for the first time on New Year’s Day 2003. I got different color wigs, went to work on a regular basis and enjoyed looking different all the time. I learned how to shave my head myself and was bald for about 7 months. Whenever I would wear a hat, my son would go and get a hat for himself.

Breast cancer made me realize that I only have one life to live and that I need to enjoy every moment. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring. Every moment is a gift, that’s why we call it the “present”.I realized that I was mortal and decided to do some things I had always dreamed of doing. One of them was riding my own Harley Davidson. In Dec 2004 I bought a brand new Sportster 883L and didn’t even know how to ride a bike. After taking the CHP Motorcycle Safety Class and practicing in our neighborhood for a long time, I started going out on the road. I totally fell in love with riding my motorcycle and every chance I had I was out for a ride. Now, 2 years later, I ride a Softail Heritage Classic and am so proud of it.

This Amazon Heart Thunder run will be awesome. I am thankful that I have my health back and that I can be part of this amazing event.

Many women out there are suffering from breast cancer and the side effects of the treatments. We have to help find a cure. So many mothers, sisters, aunts and friends have this disease. We have to help find a cure.

Please help by donating to this cause. The reward is a wonderful feeling of having done something positive in the fight for breast cancer.

We can do it together! Let’s do it together! I need your help!

God bless you all,

Virginia