October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. The entire month is devoted to increasing awareness of the disease and encouraging both women and men to be proactive in the awareness of breast cancer. Breast cancer is personal to me. Many who know me, know that I am a breast cancer survivor. But long before I was a breast cancer patient and then a survivor; breast cancer was personal to me.

I always ran the annual Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 5k in New York City’s Central Park. By running, I celebrated all who were affected by breast cancer. The bright pink hats that I would see and, the signs on the backs of runners honoring loved ones whose lives were taken by the disease; as well as, those who survived. Signs were held with personal sentiments for their Moms, Sisters, and Aunties (and let’s not forget that men are also affected by breast cancer). I ran in those races for years.

Then the year came when I ran in it and I wore the bright pink hat denoting “survivor”, and I was celebrated with gifts from sponsors; and, VIP tents with goodies because the Susan G. Komen foundation knew how to celebrate breast cancer survivors. More importantly, whether running or walking, we saw each other’s fight in each other’s eyes and on our backs with signage. We had gathered as a community, fighting together against something that was so much bigger than any one individual; or, for that matter even bigger than our communities/groups but together we were fighting back!

There are so many emotions that stir up when reading the signs sadness, hope, definance and honor are just a few…

Now 20 years later, I look back at that time and am reminded of bright colors, energy, kindness and togetherness; and, yes a lot of pain and grief for all of us diagnosed and those of us lost to breast cancer.

I have a membership into a group that I did not apply for; but, I know the experience has helped to shape me into who I am today. Because of this disease, I have had the opportunity to meet some beautiful souls; some, who are celebrating survivorship and others who we celebrate their remarkable lives with our memories.

I was diagnosed young. It did not run in my family and genetic testing showed I was not pre-disposed to the breast cancer gene. The cancer was suspected in December 1999 and confirmed in January 2000. So, going in the 2000 New Year; I felt a little like the Prince song “Party like it’s 1999” because I wondered if this would be my last party? The months would be hard to endure but I got through them. I hadn’t looked at my “Breast Cancer Diary” since my last entry two decades ago, but I pulled it out and opened it to write this post and share a glimpse of my story during October Breast Cancer Awareness month.

My boyfriend at the time (who is now my husband), family, friends and my church family helped me through that dark year but prayer got me through those dark days. Here is one of my earliest entries that I would like to share with you:

Monday, March 20, 2000

“Four days after my second chemo treatment, it hit me around 8:30 PM on Thursday. I felt like I was hit by a mac truck. On Friday, I conducted business from my bed; and, was able to do a conference call. I had a good night’s sleep on Friday night and went to a women’s luncheon on Saturday at church. God gave me the strength and clarity of mind to go and give my testimony. On Sunday, I went to the early church service and then went to Costco with my dear friend Gigi. I came home and crashed. Today was another day of faithfulness.”

In awareness of breast cancer month, I will continue to share my breast cancer journey in my upcoming October blog posts. In the meantime, please don’t put off having your mammogram and for all of the young women reading this; your breast may be dense at this age. In addition to having a mammogram please have an ultrasound. Heading into surgery, the mammogram still didn’t show the cancer I had – only the ultrasound.

Please celebrate the remarkable women in your lives – those that you have lost to this terrible disease and those who have survived. Most importantly, celebrate you by being aware and taking the precautions necessary for healthy breasts and early detection.

Sonya Ruff Jarvis, is the Managing Member of Jarvis Consultants and the Founder of the eRetailer Summit and JC Event Group. An expert in her field, Sonya has been published in numerous retail industry b-to-b publications. Sonya shares her experiences in her book series Mindful Minutes: A Marketer’s Journey Through Business. In addition, Sonya collaborated in publishing an anthology, Mentoring Moments: 14 Remarkable Women Share Their Breakthroughs to Success. Purchase Sonya’s books here.

Sonya has a M.B.A. in Marketing. She is married and has a daughter and they live in Trumbull, Connecticut.

Follow Sonya on twitter at @jarvisconsult or @eretailersummit