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A note from Suzy:
This is my first guest post and I couldn’t be more proud.
Shelley Bennett is a neighbor, friend, and breast cancer Survivor. After having a double mastectomy, Shelley decided not to have reconstructive surgery. Here’s a woman embracing her beauty and femininity, neither of which is defined by a cup size.
Meet Shelley and hear her thoughts on breast cancer awareness in October:
Why am I sharing this photo?
I’ve been going back and forth about sharing this picture publicly because I was worried I would offend someone….but breast cancer is offensive.
It doesn’t discriminate. Men and women alike. 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed; 1 out of 3 diagnosed will be metastatic.
I think we are all aware….now we need research! I have lost too many brothers and sisters to metastatic breast cancer (breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body and is no longer curable). When I say “brothers and sisters,” it’s because this is like a sorority or fraternity you never want to be a part of, but when you are diagnosed you are a member for life!
What’s wrong with pink?
Please do not feed into the “pinkwashing” of breast cancer this October by being hoodwinked into embracing all things pink. It is like putting a bow on a car crash.
If you want to do something to support those with breast cancer…whether newly diagnosed, thrivers, or those whose disease has become metastatic. Please give to charities like metavivor.org and hopescarves.org that see funds go toward effective treatment and research for cures.
Save the patient, not the tatas
As for me, I am embracing my scars. Not only externally, but internally too.
I feel beautiful again just being flat!
Everyone gets so wrapped around “saving the tatas,” which I personally think is distasteful. I am living proof that you should save the patient, not the tatas.
Connect with Shelley through her R+F business or Instagram.
