MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action - Cover2

Conversation LETTER FROM LISA ORR
TURNING AWARENESS
INTO ACTION
LISA ORR, FOUR-YEAR TNBC SURVIVOR, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, ELEPHANTS AND TEA
T
he month of October can bring with it many different emotions
for those affected by breast cancer. Some feel triggered; almost
everything in sight now has that far too familiar pink ribbon
slapped on it. These items are constant reminders of our everyday
reality that often doesn't feel very " pink. " Some feel tired;
breast cancer is our life day in and day out, regardless of the month. Some
feel empowered; this is our month to shout from the rooftops that WE are
the 1 in 8. Some feel lucky; lucky to see another October, lucky to be able
to share our stories, and lucky to hug our fellow breast cancer Thrivers.
Regardless of how you feel this October, know that as a survivor myself, I
see you, I hear you, and I stand with you.
I don't know about you, but " Breast Cancer Awareness Month "
doesn't quite seem like enough to me this year. More specifically,
the word awareness doesn't have the power that I want it to. We need
more than awareness. We need advocacy. We need action. We need
more research. We need more voices. We need more treatment options.
We need more support. We need more hope. I could keep going, but
I have a feeling you could, too. Take a moment and think about your
" more " this October.
We need more _____________________________________________.
The incredible stories in this issue ring so true for anyone who has
been through what we have. The words of power on these pages highlight
the true importance of advocacy in action. Reading these stories
gives me hope. Together, we can continue to advocate for more. More
of the things that will keep our pink sisters here for longer. More of
the things that will allow fewer of our peers to hear those terrifying
words we once heard. Together, let's turn Breast Cancer Awareness
Month into Breast Cancer Action Month. Let's continue to advocate
for ourselves and each other. Let's stand together so that we can make
true change for the future of breast cancer. l
MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action
