A Mother's Legacy: The Power of Perseverance

Welcome to the Power of Perserverance

A Mother's Legacy: The Power of Perseverance in Cancer Treatment

In the face of adversity, the human spirit often reveals its most remarkable qualities. This is a story of courage, love, and lasting impact—a journey that changed my life and also inspired a movement. It's the story of my mother's 22-year battle with breast cancer and how her unwavering spirit became my inspiration and the cornerstone of the World Change Coalition.

A Journey of Courage

From my earliest memories, cancer was a part of our family's life. My mother faced an arduous 22-year journey of diagnoses, treatments, periods of remission, and recurrences. Growing up with a parent battling cancer, I came to understand the true meaning of courage, strength, and perseverance through her actions.

It was in watching my mom face the relentless challenges of metastatic breast cancer that I truly grasped the depth of human strength and resilience. She was more than just my parent—she was my hero and the embodiment of strength, courage, and perseverance. Despite the physical and emotional toll of countless surgeries, chemotherapies, and radiation treatments, she never quit. Her unwavering dedication to her family, even during periods of her greatest challenges defined inspiration.

Lessons in Life and Love

My mother's journey taught me invaluable life lessons that have become the foundation of the World Change Coalition:

1. Life is Temporary: Facing mortality changes how one views the world, shifting priorities and deepening appreciation for the present moment. Despite her diagnoses, my mother lived with gratitude for each day and hope for the future.

2. Empathy for Others: Witnessing real suffering brings focus to the importance of human compassion. Even amid her own struggles, my mother always cared about others, helping people in countless ways and demonstrating the power of dignity.

3. Perseverance is Key: Through every setback and challenge, my mother never gave up on herself or those who held her close. Her resilience in the face of adversity was truly inspiring.

While growing up, I may not have fully understood the words empathy, perseverance, and courage, but I saw how they manifested in the way my mom lived her life. With time, I learned the meaning of these words, and they became the foundational values inspiring not just my personal growth but also the creation of the World Change Coalition.

The Science of Perseverance in Cancer Treatment

While personal stories powerfully illustrate the impact of perseverance, scientific research also supports its importance in cancer treatment:

• Mind-Body Connection: Studies in psychoneuroimmunology suggest that mental and emotional states can influence physical well-being and potentially impact treatment outcomes.

• Adherence to Treatment: Patients who exhibit strong perseverance are more likely to strictly follow their treatment regimens, potentially improving efficacy.

• Emotional Resilience: A perseverant attitude can help patients navigate the emotional ups and downs of their cancer journey with greater equanimity.

• Quality of Life: By maintaining hope and a fighting spirit, patients often report a better quality of life during treatment, regardless of the outcome.

Cultivating Perseverance and Positivity

Inspired by my mother's approach and insights from cancer patients, like Paul Lawonn, here are suggested actions and behaviors for developing and maintaining a perseverant and positive mindset:

1. Stay Positive: Filter out negative information and focus on reputable sources. Minimize handling negative issues to focus positive energy.

2. Remain Hopeful: Remember that cancer treatments are constantly improving. Your situation may change for the better.

3. Cling to Faith: Whether it's faith in a higher power, in your medical team, or in the human spirit of your friends and family, having something to believe in can provide comfort and strength.

4. Find a Reason to Fight: Identify strong motivations that will help you persevere through challenging treatments and recovery periods.

5. Celebrate Every Success: Acknowledge and celebrate each battle won and every bit of good news, no matter how small.

6. Keep Making Plans: Continue to set goals and plan for the future. This helps provide reasons to fight and get through each day.

7. Practice Empathy: Even in your own struggle, find ways to care for and support others. This can provide a sense of purpose and connection.

My mother epitomized these steps throughout her cancer journey, and her approach to these many challenges is why I so want to honor her.

The Birth of the World Change Coalition

The impact of one person's courage and perseverance can extend far beyond their own life. In the case of my mother, her legacy lives on not just in the memories and values she instilled in her children, but also in tangible ways it manifest in the inspiration to found the World Change Coalition:

• The organization was founded based on the lessons learned from her journey.

• Our logo features her fingerprint, a symbol of her lasting impact.

• A portion of sales from every pair of jeans sold goes to organizations providing wigs and other support for cancer patients, supporting others on their cancer journeys.

This beautifully illustrates how one person's journey with cancer, approached with courage and perseverance, can lead to positive changes that benefit many others.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Love and Courage

The power of perseverance in cancer treatment cannot be overstated. Whether it's in the scientific evidence of better treatment adherence and quality of life, or in the profound personal stories of courage and lasting impact, we see time and again how a fighting spirit can make a difference.

As we face the challenges of cancer—whether as patients, family members, friends, or supporters—let us draw inspiration from those who have shown us the true meaning of courage. Let us cultivate perseverance, nurture hope, and strive to make every day count. In doing so, we not only give ourselves the best chance to succeed in our personal challenges, but we also create ripples of positive change that can benefit many others.

Remember, life may be temporary, but love, courage, and the positive impact we have on others can last forever. In the face of cancer, let us choose perseverance, empathy, and hope—not just for ourselves, but for all those whose lives we touch.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my mother and the journey we are on to honor her memory and help and support other cancer patients, their families and friends. Bless you all.