The statistics show 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will continue to be diagnosed with
breast cancer. It was also estimated that in 2013, over 18,000 new patients would be diagnosed with breast and gynecologic cancer in Texas alone. The financial and emotional toll a cancer diagnosis can have on a patient & their family can be devastating without
the necessary resources and support.
On October 10, 2011, I was just another 34 year old mother of 3 but I was suddenly one of the newest members of a club no one wants to join. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal triple negative breast cancer. My life & its direction were changed in an instant. I underwent 16 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy with reconstruction surgery. Although the treatment was tough, my support was greater than I could have even imagined. It is the support that I remember most. Pink ribbons were placed on every tree in my neighborhood and gifts were left at my door step for weeks. Meals were delivered to my house 3 times a week for 7 months. Friends threw a “cancer kick off” party, a “hair shaving” party and an “it’s finally over” party just to assure that I found hope and strength through love & fellowship. I was never alone for any treatment or appointment. In November 2011, my friends & family coordinated a hugely successful benefit for me& my precious family in the event that medical costs were a burden. Mid-way through treatment my husband and I realized we would not need all the money raised and therefore we felt led to do something important and meaningful for others with some of the money. After weeks of prayer, God put the plan on my heart…to do for others what has been done for me. This is where Friends Thru The Fight was born. Why not?
While sitting in waiting rooms, through caring for our FTTF patients and from being a patient myself, I have found that cancer takes on many forms for many people. Treatment can vary from minimal and short treatment duration to extremely invasive and long term. The key is that it' is ALL important and none of it's fun. It isn't all about the pink merchandise or fighting like a girl. For many, it's choosing to wake up every morning, do it all again, accepting all side affects as long as they get to see their children grow. The roll of the cancer dice is unfair and it's terribly ugly. I count myself extremely blessed and because I've been given this chance at living life with intention. I hope to serve others at my fullest.
Through this journey, I found purpose through the chaos and I give all glory to God who has provided a way. My hope is that through this organization & through the support of faithful board members and volunteers, we can provide financial, spiritual and social support for those breast & gynecological cancer patients within our community who are going Thru the Fight.
Jacquelyn Svoboda
FTTF President & Founder
breast cancer. It was also estimated that in 2013, over 18,000 new patients would be diagnosed with breast and gynecologic cancer in Texas alone. The financial and emotional toll a cancer diagnosis can have on a patient & their family can be devastating without
the necessary resources and support.
On October 10, 2011, I was just another 34 year old mother of 3 but I was suddenly one of the newest members of a club no one wants to join. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal triple negative breast cancer. My life & its direction were changed in an instant. I underwent 16 rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy with reconstruction surgery. Although the treatment was tough, my support was greater than I could have even imagined. It is the support that I remember most. Pink ribbons were placed on every tree in my neighborhood and gifts were left at my door step for weeks. Meals were delivered to my house 3 times a week for 7 months. Friends threw a “cancer kick off” party, a “hair shaving” party and an “it’s finally over” party just to assure that I found hope and strength through love & fellowship. I was never alone for any treatment or appointment. In November 2011, my friends & family coordinated a hugely successful benefit for me& my precious family in the event that medical costs were a burden. Mid-way through treatment my husband and I realized we would not need all the money raised and therefore we felt led to do something important and meaningful for others with some of the money. After weeks of prayer, God put the plan on my heart…to do for others what has been done for me. This is where Friends Thru The Fight was born. Why not?
While sitting in waiting rooms, through caring for our FTTF patients and from being a patient myself, I have found that cancer takes on many forms for many people. Treatment can vary from minimal and short treatment duration to extremely invasive and long term. The key is that it' is ALL important and none of it's fun. It isn't all about the pink merchandise or fighting like a girl. For many, it's choosing to wake up every morning, do it all again, accepting all side affects as long as they get to see their children grow. The roll of the cancer dice is unfair and it's terribly ugly. I count myself extremely blessed and because I've been given this chance at living life with intention. I hope to serve others at my fullest.
Through this journey, I found purpose through the chaos and I give all glory to God who has provided a way. My hope is that through this organization & through the support of faithful board members and volunteers, we can provide financial, spiritual and social support for those breast & gynecological cancer patients within our community who are going Thru the Fight.
Jacquelyn Svoboda
FTTF President & Founder
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew
their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and
not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint”. Isaiah 40:31