When I began working for Del Rio Vineyards nine years ago, I had the privilege of experiencing our Drink Pink campaign for the first time. Meeting those wanting to purchase our Drink Pink bundles to help support a good case was heartwarming, and it was an honor to hear the stories of survivorship and the heartfelt remembrances of those lost to breast cancer.
Whether it’s breast cancer or another form, we hear stories of people fighting cancer all too often. A little over a year ago, a mutual friend of many of us here had been fighting a brave battle against breast cancer which got me thinking, “why haven’t I been checked yet?” I have a daughter the same age as hers. I should do this for my family. “But there was no way this could happen to me,” I thought. “I’m too young.” That is, until I found a small lump.
Over the next few months, that pea-sized lump began to grow, just as our friend’s cancer prognosis worsened. Inspired by her, I decided to just get it checked out. At this time, I wasn’t too worried and neither was my primary care physician. But as a precaution, my doctor referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound at the Asante Mammography Center in Medford.
The staff, mammographer, ultrasound technician, and radiologist were so kind and walked me through the entire process to ease my nerves. But all of that ease quickly went away when the radiologist informed me that I needed a biopsy… Fast forward to the call from my doctor that I had been anxiously dreading. My results came back and they were positive for breast cancer. I was in shock and I was heartbroken.
How was I going to break this news to my children, husband, and friends? I was diagnosed with breast cancer one month after our friend lost her battle with the same disease that I was just diagnosed with, and just one week before Del Rio hosted our first annual Hike to Fight event in support of the Asante Cancer Center. The same center that would be helping me fight against this disease.
Before Hike to Fight, I questioned whether I was going to be able to make it through this event given how emotionally overwhelmed I was with my recent diagnosis. I knew I could rely on the support of my Del Rio family, but seeing our community rally to support the fight against a disease that impacts far too many women and men gave me hope. I was ready to fight - fight for myself, my family, my friends. But most of all, for those who fought their own battles and lost, for those currently fighting, and for those who have yet had to fight their battle against breast cancer. And boy, did I fight.
Early detection saved me. I’m grateful for my team at Asante, as they led me through one of the darkest paths I will ever face, and I came out the other side stronger because of them. From my multiple surgeries and through chemotherapy, my doctors and nurses guided me every step of the way with grace and patience. I’m still receiving monthly infusions, but through their care, I can say that I am CANCER FREE! This October, I will continue to fight and am honored to be hiking alongside hundreds of other supporters in memory of those we have lost, in support of those going through their own battle, and in celebration of all survivors.
With gratitude,
~ Sarah Mellema
Whether it’s breast cancer or another form, we hear stories of people fighting cancer all too often. A little over a year ago, a mutual friend of many of us here had been fighting a brave battle against breast cancer which got me thinking, “why haven’t I been checked yet?” I have a daughter the same age as hers. I should do this for my family. “But there was no way this could happen to me,” I thought. “I’m too young.” That is, until I found a small lump.
Over the next few months, that pea-sized lump began to grow, just as our friend’s cancer prognosis worsened. Inspired by her, I decided to just get it checked out. At this time, I wasn’t too worried and neither was my primary care physician. But as a precaution, my doctor referred me for a mammogram and ultrasound at the Asante Mammography Center in Medford.
The staff, mammographer, ultrasound technician, and radiologist were so kind and walked me through the entire process to ease my nerves. But all of that ease quickly went away when the radiologist informed me that I needed a biopsy… Fast forward to the call from my doctor that I had been anxiously dreading. My results came back and they were positive for breast cancer. I was in shock and I was heartbroken.
How was I going to break this news to my children, husband, and friends? I was diagnosed with breast cancer one month after our friend lost her battle with the same disease that I was just diagnosed with, and just one week before Del Rio hosted our first annual Hike to Fight event in support of the Asante Cancer Center. The same center that would be helping me fight against this disease.
Before Hike to Fight, I questioned whether I was going to be able to make it through this event given how emotionally overwhelmed I was with my recent diagnosis. I knew I could rely on the support of my Del Rio family, but seeing our community rally to support the fight against a disease that impacts far too many women and men gave me hope. I was ready to fight - fight for myself, my family, my friends. But most of all, for those who fought their own battles and lost, for those currently fighting, and for those who have yet had to fight their battle against breast cancer. And boy, did I fight.
Early detection saved me. I’m grateful for my team at Asante, as they led me through one of the darkest paths I will ever face, and I came out the other side stronger because of them. From my multiple surgeries and through chemotherapy, my doctors and nurses guided me every step of the way with grace and patience. I’m still receiving monthly infusions, but through their care, I can say that I am CANCER FREE! This October, I will continue to fight and am honored to be hiking alongside hundreds of other supporters in memory of those we have lost, in support of those going through their own battle, and in celebration of all survivors.
With gratitude,
~ Sarah Mellema
