A Pink Ribbon Tattoo – A Lifetime Of Love

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month.  I would venture to say most people have been affected by the dreaded disease of cancer at sometime in their life.  Whether it’s themselves,  a family member or friend, cancer has no rhyme or reason.  It doesn’t have a standard of income, age, sex or color.  I know this firsthand as my sister Jeanne was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 42 in  2002. The fear of that word “cancer” shakes you to the bone and makes you take a long look at your life.  My sister is my hero in so many ways.  She was afraid when she was diagnosed , but stayed so positive.

I remember the day she told me, we were sitting in the kitchen having coffee and gossiping as we always do when we get together.  She paused and said, “I have to tell you something.  I have breast cancer!”  I was stunned, I started to cry and  just blurted out, “Why you?”

This is why 11 years later she is still my rock and hero; she simply replied, why not?  Through her ordeal, she never complained or played the weak, injured breast cancer victim.  She stayed positive, pushed forward and lived every day, as she still does, to the fullest.  As she said, “It might be my last and I want to make sure I enjoy it.”

If you have ever been around the disease, you know that it doesn’t just effect the one who has it, it effects those that love that person.  All of this month, Cin City Tattoo is holding their Annual “Pink Ink” event.  When you go get a Pink Ribbon tattoo, all the proceeds go to “Pack the Place in Pink”, a local charity started a few years ago by the Skyview Volleyball team after their head coach and mentor Vicki Carle was stricken with Breast Cancer.

A few days ago I made my appointment at Cin City Tattoo and got my “Pink Ribbon Tattoo” for my sister Jeanne, so that I can always be reminded that nothing, not even cancer, can control you.   I will wear this Pink Ribbon on my right ankle for the rest of my life.  This ribbon is my lifetime of love for my sister.  I love you Jeanne!