In October 2017, my life was changed forever when I received a breast cancer diagnosis. It changed my perspective on life. I realized the things that I thought were important, really wasn’t – and the things I thought were unimportant, really were the most important things. Going through my own breast cancer journey was hard but my faith’ helped me to get through it.
I saw God’s Hand on my entire breast cancer journey and He allowed me to know that there was a greater purpose for the journey I was on. He kept bringing me back to the Bible verse John 13:7, “Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’”
At the time, I didn’t know what the purpose of that difficult season would look like, but I knew it was the beginning of something far greater than I could have ever imagined. God is not done writing my story.
It Started With One Box
After I finished my treatment, I sent a care package to another breast cancer warrior to encourage her and to pay forward the kindness I had received during my treatments. She said it was like I had sent her a box of hope.
Boxes of Hope was born that day. It began with one box, and now Boxes of Hope sends care packages and mastectomy pillows to thousands of women all over the United States and Canada.
The Vision Continues to Grow
I wanted breast cancer warriors to have an opportunity to see themselves differently — not through the eyes of cancer, but through the eyes of strength, beauty, courage, and resilience.
Pink Warrior Day was created to do just that. When they step in front of that camera, they are reminded that breast cancer does not define who they are. It reminds them they are beautiful. It celebrates their strength and resilience. It is more than a beautiful photo. It is about helping a woman see the beautiful warrior within her.
A Sisterhood Developed
I noticed the women bonding during our first Pink Warrior Day as they shared their stories with each other. Our support group called Pinky Sisters was formed to offer connection, friendship, laughter, and understanding with women who know what it’s like to walk the road of breast cancer.
Looking Back
Now I can see the things I couldn’t see while I was walking through them. God was working in the middle of it all.
He was taking something painful and using it to create something purposeful.
He was taking my diagnosis and turning it into my ministry.
He was taking my story and allowing it to become a source of hope for someone else’s story.
Sometimes we don’t understand what God is doing while we’re in the middle of the story, but it doesn’t mean that He isn’t writing it.
The Story Isn’t Over
Boxes of Hope is still growing. There are still women who need encouragement. There are still stories waiting to be told. There are still communities we haven’t reached. There are still dreams God has placed on my heart.
I don’t look at my breast cancer journey as the end of my story. I look at it as the beginning of a chapter I never would have written for myself—but one I am incredibly grateful God allows me to live.
