When I was first pitched to take part in helping spread the word about Discovery Familia's Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign, I replied a huge "YES!" without hesitation.

A good friend of mine was recently (as in just a little over a month ago) diagnosed with the disease and she and her family have been on my mind daily ever since.  I've even run into her at our kids' soccer practices and in church and it's brought me to tears every single time.  I just look at her and think about her and think about her kids — 2 of them the same ages as 2 of mine.  They even all have the same teachers this year!  This friend of mine is one of the most talented people I know and has always been a person that everyone loves to be around.  She's warm, funny, caring, and faith-filled.  It pains me to think of what she will be going through for the next several months, and what her kids will be feeling as they see their mom fighting this awful disease.

That's why I am so very honored and feel obliged to take part in this breast cancer awareness campaign.  Since the month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month (which I am sure you know, unless you've been living under a rock.  In which case, welcome back!), Discovery Familia – the only Spanish language network dedicated to the Hispanic mom and her family – will premiere a moving documentary and a series of public service announcements in an effort to increase awareness and provide Hispanic women the resources which will help them get more information.  Their hope is that the resources and information provided from their programming will motivate Hispanic women to become more informed and take a more preventative approach to regular screenings for breast cancer.

As part of this initiative, Discovery Familia will premiere Tengo cáncer,an autobiographical documentary, on Saturday, October 29^th at 9 PM E/P during its “Sábados Médicos” programming block.  This co-production, between Discovery Familia and Imagina U.S., follows the real life story of Patricia San Pedro, a successful executive with a thriving career whose life was turned upside down after being diagnosed with breast cancer, a fate her mother suffered 20 years prior.  Even so, San Pedro opted for looking at her situation as an opportunity to learn. She accentuated and focused on the positive, maximizing the new opportunities and ideas that resulted from her struggle.

Lastly, throughout this special month, the network will also be working with "Latinas Contra Cancer", a not-for-profit organization that provides support and resources to Hispanic women.  Beginning October 15, the network will begin airing moving testimonials from various women who have experienced breast cancer.  The survivors will be sharing their stories with viewers in a very personal way.  The hope in doing this is to highlight the importance of early detection, family support, and to convey an attitute of hope.

It is my personal hope for you all, no matter what your ethnicity, that you take time to get screened and encourage the women in your lives to do the same.  ♥

 

 

 

{Disclosure:  I wrote this post while participating in a compensated campaign with Discovery Familia and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.}