Hey there. It’s that time of year again. Cooler temperatures. Fall foliage. Football games. And a sea of pink. Breast Cancer Awareness Month turns everything pink – shirts, sunglasses, candy bar wrappers, you name it and it’s offered in pink. And my favorite – pink fabric! I love pink and I love fabric. It’s the perfect combination for me.
As a breast cancer survivor, October has special meaning for me. I was diagnosed with breast cancer when I was 34 years old. My youngest child was 18 months old at the time. I went through six months of chemo, lost all my hair, had a double mastectomy, homeschooled my two school-aged kiddos, and totally rocked my bald head with a baby on my hip. I never gave up but it was seriously the hardest thing I’ve ever done. The bright side of going through all of that is that I don’t have to wonder if I am strong. I know I am. And I don’t have to wonder if I should buy the pink fabric. I know I should.
In hindsight, I should’ve allowed more pictures of myself.
I am almost 10 years cancer-free now!
If you’re wanting to make a pink quilt for someone who is currently battling breast cancer or for that special survivor in your life, check out the adorable pink ribbon panel below. Panel quilts are fast and fun to make. Just add some borders and voila! You have a beautiful quilt top!
Whether you choose to make a pink quilt this month or not, I do hope that the pink ribbons that are covering the world this October will remind you to do those breast self-exams and schedule a mammogram. A self-exam saved my life and it may save yours as well. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. One in eight?? Whaaa? That’s crazy! The best result from the sea of pink products that are released every October is that they will trigger a reminder to every woman to do a self-check or a mammogram. I challenge each and every one of you to make a commitment to self-check and/or get that mammogram!
You can find it by clicking here!
To all the women out there who are currently fighting breast cancer (or any other cancer, for that matter): you got this! Keep up the fight.
To all the survivors out there: you’re rock stars. Wear pink and celebrate.
‘Til Next Time,
Beth
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