Personal Stories
Featured Story: Lucia Cristina Garcia de Freitas Paganini
Brazil
"Cancer has brought me more good things than bad!"
 Lucia Cristina Garcia de Freitas Paganini always considered her wedding date and the birth of each of her two children the happiest days in her life. Recently, she added another day to that list - the day she discovered cancer has brought her more good than bad. In 2004, Lucia was diagnosed with breast cancer. Upon receiving the diagnosis, she immediately thought of all the moments in her husband’s life and in her children’s lives that she would miss. Lucia realized that she could not miss these moments. She had to fight.
Lucia aggressively confronted her breast cancer with a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Before beginning chemotherapy, she also decided to have a hysterectomy due to the strong presence of ovarian cancer in her family’s medical history. After this surgery, she began her chemotherapy treatments. With a positive outlook, she decided to shave her head before any major hair loss occurred. A year after she was diagnosed, Lucia had a prophylactic mastectomy on her right breast and started reconstruction of the left side.
During her battle with breast cancer, Lucia began volunteering at Associação Viva Melhor (Best Life Association). The organization produces and donates breast prostheses for women who have undergone a mastectomy. Lucia believes that through her volunteer work she actually receives much more than she gives. She receives love, joy, inspiration and connection to women facing similar circumstances. The Best Life Association is a place where breast cancer survivors go to receive support and share their hopes and fears. When asked why she thinks cancer has brought her more good than bad, Lucia’s reply is full of gratitude. “I am stronger, happier, surrounded by amazing people with wonderful stories, and I have my family by my side supporting me. What else could I want?”
We invite you to share stories about your experience with breast cancer. It could be a story about you, a family member or friend. It could be about a Walk Around the World event in which you participated or even an inspirational quote to give encouragement and strength to those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer. SHARE YOUR STORY NOW! |
