In a moment, my life changed.

On May 26, 2006, I got the phone call everyone dreads.

I could hear the words of my doctor, saying the tests revealed something questionable. Additional tests would be needed.

In the background, I could hear the voices of my kids asking, who I was talking to, what are they saying, what is going on, what is wrong?

I could see the pain and fear in the eyes of my family.

I could smell the salt air from the beach.

I could taste the salt from my tears.

I could feel the arms of my best friend and my family around me, holding me, comforting me…but all I wanted was to touch the lump in breast to validate I wasn’t dreaming.

In this moment I knew I was going to be diagnosed with breast cancer at 40 years old. I had been blessed with 3 healthy, beautiful children, a full life and all I had ever wanted. I was planning for my oldest daughter's first year in college and my youngest daughter's first day of kindergarten. I also balanced all the activities of an active 8-year-old boy. I was about to go back to school to get an MBA.

I had always been very physically active, ate all the right things and followed all the right medical advice. How could I be diagnosed with breast cancer?

I knew in that moment my life was about to change; my plans for the future would no longer be controlled just by me but by the cancer inside me. I would be facing decisions, pain, fear, helplessness.

But I also knew I would be surrounded by a group of friends, a close knit family and, most importantly, a strong faith in God. I knew I could not change the future and what would be was in God’s control. It was up to me to determine how I would use this experience to focus on the positive and use this as an opportunity to re-evaluate my goals and the things that motivated me.

At that moment…..

I promised myself I would use this experience to help others.

I promised myself I would use my voice to the be a voice for all women with cancer, a voice for those that have lost loved ones to the disease and a voice for those that have yet to be diagnosed.

I promised myself I would raise awareness for women of all ages, races, and socio-economic statuses.

I promised myself I would smile, laugh, and love more….

I promised myself I would go after my dreams.

I promised myself I would show my kids how to take a difficult, challenging, life changing situation and turn it into a positive experience.