When you hear the word cancer, it takes your breath away whether it touches you, a family member, or someone you love dearly. Cancer has touched my life many times. My father, two brothers-in-law, my sister, my sister-in-law, my mother and father-in-law, and two nieces have all faced this disease. Yet nothing impacted me as deeply as walking day by day with my best friend of 40 years, Debbie Hanson.
Already grieving the loss of her husband to pancreatic cancer, Debbie was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in August 2017. The cancer spread to her colon, lymph nodes, liver, and eventually her brain. For twelve months we faced each day together, choosing joy, holding onto hope, and living out what it truly meant to be “Two Friends,” the name of our business for more than 30 years.
There were long hospital days and countless miles traveled, but I counted every moment as a blessing because our friendship meant that much. Debbie fought bravely to the end, and not a day goes by that I do not think of her or smile at a memory we shared. During that year, I began writing a daily “Debbie Update” blog. What started as a way to keep family and friends informed became a way to bring awareness, education, and hope to others walking a similar road. If one person learns something new, gets screened, or feels less alone, then her legacy lives on. Stepping into this journey as a Woman in Blue allows me to continue Debbie’s story and honor all those touched by cancer, especially during the month of March.
Love, faith, and friendship carry us forward. Scripture tells us, “Do not store up treasures on earth… but store up treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Debbie lived this long before cancer ever touched her life, not because of anything she owned, but because of who she was. Even in the hardest moments, she remained kind, loving, and more concerned about others than herself.
I called her my Bee Charmer. No matter how chaotic things became, she brought calm and drew people in. During treatments, hospital stays, and long uncertain days, she put on her armor each morning. Not loudly, but faithfully, facing the battle with quiet courage and steady faith. Cancer took her body, but it could never take the treasure she stored in heaven or the place she holds in my heart. So here’s to you, Bee Charmer. You will forever be one of the greatest treasures in my storehouse, and your love continues to lead us forward.
I hope everyone will follow my social media pages for ongoing education, awareness, and updates on ways our community can support screening, prevention, and those currently walking this journey. Thank you to Women in Blue for the opportunity to share education and hope that truly matters.