#CancerBlows

Last September, my kind, gracious, and beautiful best friend Theresa was diagnosed with breast cancer at just 27 years old. The worst part of having someone you love be ill, after the illness itself, of course, is the feeling of helplessness that undoubtedly follows; your inability to do anything but stand and watch as their health is robbed from them. Theresa has shown me the meaning of strength, resilience, and faith these past few months and I can’t express how elated I am her sixth and final session of chemo is this Thursday.

Unable to dull her pain, or feel it on her behalf, I felt the only thing I could do at the time was create a fundraiser to attempt to minimally ease the burden of overwhelming medical bills. Theresa and I have been truly humbled with everyone’s magnanimous generosity. In just five months, friends, families, and strangers have come together to raise nearly $15,000 for her medical bills. Moments like this have truly restored my faith in humanity. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for their donations, support, prayers, and love. Theresa and I both feel the depth of your kindness and love on a daily basis.

Please continue to support and help Theresa get the treatment she needs so she can beat cancer, and help her focus on her full recovery without the stress of mounting medical bills. Show her and the rest of the world how big cancer blows by snapping a picture of yourself blowing a bubble with gum and sharing it on social media with the hashtag #CancerBlows, followed by a donation equal in size. Of course, any amount is significant and truly appreciated.

Read more about Theresa’s medical journey on her blog.

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Galentine's Day

A lunch and coffee date with my best friend Theresa unexpectedly turned into an early celebration of Galentine’s Day. “What is Galentine’s Day?” the delightful Leslie Knope informs us on Parks and Recreation, “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year. Every February 13th, my lady friends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it breakfast style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair minus the angst. Plus frittatas.”

Theresa surprised me with the best Galentine’s Day gift a girl could ask for—wine and face masks. So I can hydrate my face and soul simultaneously.

While I’ve always been unlucky in love, I won the lottery when it comes to my friends. I have selective memory when it comes to events in my past, but I vividly remember sitting on the floor in 7th grade gym class across from Theresa and sharing our delight in our mutual Korean heritage. Fifteen years later, she remains my best friend and soul sister. Entire conversations can be held with one look or the raise of an eyebrow. She knows me better than I know myself at times and is often my voice of reason, but remains the first person I would call if I wanted to make bad decisions. My pillar of strength, my shoulder to cry on, my north star in the tumultuous roller coaster that is life; she is my forever Valentine and Galentine, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without her.

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