It was a very beautiful day sometime in 1970. I was about to finish my first year of High School and was called to the Principal's Office. I had a visitor, my Mother. I was surprised because she had never visited me before on campus(I was living in the dormitory in High School, 15 miles to our hometown, the norm in Africa). Well, my thought was she brought me some goodies. Bad news did not even cross my mind. She later told me she was not well and had been in the hospital in Abeokuta, Ogun State and en route home after being discharged. She was passing through and decided to stop by. She had surgery on her left breast, she told me because it was infected. There was no real explanation or diagnosis. She would end up doing two more of those surgeries before I graduated, same lack of detail explanation/diagnosis. I saw her in later episodes going through severe pain and huge enlargement of her breast. It was not pretty and it was pure torture, but she survived. She is now in her eighties.
Looking back to those years and what I now learnt, I always wonder whether she had breast cancer then or not. It has been bothering me for years.
In 2009, one of the closest friends I have here called that she wanted to visit and share something with me. She came over to the house and told me she stood in front of her mirror a couple of weeks back and saw some liquid flowing out of her nipples. As a nurse, she tried to figure it out but decided to see her doctor. After many tests, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was devastated but tried to be strong so that I could render any support needed to her. We agreed for her to go for a second opinion. She went to Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia and the diagnosis was confirmed.. She decided to receive her treatments from CTCA. Two years ago, she was declared cancer-free. Unfortunately, there was a recurrence in 2014 and she left this world on August 4, 2015. My friend was only 64 years Old!
I started my Avon business in 1989 and later learnt that Avon Products, Inc. is the largest corporate supporter of breast cancer research through the Avon Foundation For Women which was formed in 1955. Globally, it has raised and donated nearly One Billion Dollars($1B) . The Foundation's mission is to improve the lives of women and their families. This really kindled my interest and something started brewing inside of me. I began thinking of how I could be of help but I could not do much then because I was raising my family, my job and the business. My kids were very active with different activities from sport to singing in the children's choir and so on. As they grow up though, I gradually became involved by promoting the awareness at every opportunity. I incorporate it into my activities at my Avon events. Sharing with women and families the importance of breast health and mammograms. Also how we should do self checks at least weekly. A month ago, I had the opportunity to participate in my community's 'Come Out and Play Night' organized by my County's Park Police followed by the National Night out Day and last weekend at the Park Police's Community Day at Watkins Park. I am being humbled about being a part of the Park Police' efforts and initiatives with the community.
I have lost a dear friend to breast cancer, my mother has experienced something similar if not the real cancer, a bevy of acquaintances and business partners have survived breast cancer. I believe in my heart that I can contribute by sharing the information about breast health. I want to make it my mission to rally around my fellow women and families in promoting the awareness.
I will challenge every woman I spoke with who hav done their yearly mammogram to call at least five of their girlfriends that day/week and ask same question I put to them - 'Have you done your mammogram this year?'. It is a simple question but a conversation starter. One of the statements I like to make when speaking to people about breast health is " we have to look out for each other and be each other's keeper'. The response has been positive.
So, let us all Be in It To End It. There is so much to do to help in fighting this battle and it could be won with our togetherness.
Refererences and Resources:
www.Avonfoundation.org
www.cancercenter.com
www.cancer.org
www.info-komen.org
You spend a lot of time checking.
You check your text messages, emails and social media status updates. You check the weather, sports scores and TV listings.
You check your stock prices and bank account balance, the gas level in your car, your outfit, hair and makeup.
Now, Check Yourself! - www.avonfoundation.org
