OH my!  How exciting was the national leadership summit.  I can't believe all the excitement and empowerment that this event held for me and hundreds of other people with the same mission!  The beauty and power of the Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back ceremonies was so wonderful.  I still can't express properly how I feel. 

I have to make sure that I don't go overboard with all my thoughts and wants for my local Relay For Life.  I can't believe how empowering the event was for me.  I had planned on getting my mammogram this fall, the day after returning home from Dallas I scheduled it and already had it!  I have been trying to eat healthier this summer, and now I have a real passion for it and I am getting active.  But the most exciting part of my "empowerment" is being a life saver!  Not just for me, but those that I love.

My oldest brother has smoked for about 40 years, I talked with him (again) about quitting smoking, he has been making healthier choices this past year.  For the first time in all the times that I have talked with him, he said that he would love to quit smoking, but didn't think that he could.  I had done some research and suggested some medication to him.  HE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH HIS DOCTOR!  Monday he is taking the first steps in 40 years to quit smoking!  I am so proud of him!

The beauty of FIGHT BACK is that it empowers not only you, but those around you.  Because of the idea of FIGHT BACK it opens so many doors to talk to others about taking charge of their own health.  I have always believed in being an advocate for my own health, but now I feel empowered to encourage those around me to work towards a healthy life!  Getting cancer screenings helps to save lives, we know that, but with the FIGHT BACK model we can talk with others and encourage them.  It is the challenge of every one who believes in the mission of the American Cancer Society. 

I can see how powerful this message is and how it can impact the 2015 goals!  I am so happy that my brother is taking this first step.  I am so happy that the American Cancer Society has delivered this wonderful message that helps me FIGHT BACK against cancer!