This November 28th will mark 20 years since my mother, Christine Butler, has passed away from breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in 1990 and underwent a mastectomy, chemo and radiation. Her treatments were deemed successful and was considered "cured." After her 1st successful treatment, she continued to take a drug tamoxifen for 5 years then stopped. However, 8 years later it metastasized to other parts of her body and cancer ultimately took her life. We know today, through research, my mother should have been on this drug for 10 years vs. 5 for her type of breast cancer. But unfortunately, we didn't know this in 1998.

This year, I was diagnosed with triple negative stage 2 breast cancer. This oddly isn't the same type of breast cancer as my mother and goes to show the different types of breast cancer out there. However, what is different is the treatment for my type of cancer today. There have been many advances since 1998 and I’m taking a concoction of chemo therapy drugs that have been responding well. One of the drug types was only approved 3 months ahead of my treatment commencement. These are facts to demonstrate that cancer research and donations improves lives. I’m lucky enough to be living and working in a country with top excellent medical care in Dubai. I’m currently in the middle of 5 months of chemo treatments ending 26 December… a nice Christmas gift to me! I will also follow with surgery and radiation in early 2019.

This year, I want to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer! I have selected to donate to Susan G. Komen as they are a fantastic organization making a real impact. They are the world’s largest and most impactful breast cancer organization that funds more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit, while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since, this disease affects 1 in 8 women during their lifetime we need to do more quickly.
Thank you for supporting me as I fundraise in honor of my mother Christine Butler on the 20th anniversary of her passing. Let's try and end breast cancer forever.

You can make a (USA tax-deductible) donation online with your credit card by clicking the button above my fundraising thermometer.