I travel 25-30 weeks out of the year. On each and every trip, I always have two things with me..my backpack and a picture of my mother. I think of her each and every day but the month of October brings a more visible reminder. You would have to have your head in the sand, to not know that October brings Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From Pink Uniforms to Ribbons to Planes, each and every one of our airlines brings awareness to the friendly skies. I wanted to take a few minutes to thank each and every one of the worldwide carriers that participates.

Breast Cancer is a not picky in who it selects to torment. My mother was 35 years old when she was diagnosed. I am now 36 and have a hard time trying to imagine dealing with weekly Chemo and Radiation at my age. My mother, being the strong woman that she was, managed amazingly to keep the family train on the tracks. Life went on as if nothing had changed. She fought the demon that was ravaging her insides for 10 long years. She used every last ounce of strength, left in her frail body, to take care of me and my two younger brothers. She wanted to ensure that our lives were not affected by her disease.

Anyways, this post is a thank you to the airlines and all the other businesses that raise awareness every fall during this time. It’s also a thank you to my mother for fighting the good fight. Never giving in. Living her short life to the fullest and making sure us boys were taken care of at all times.

If you happen to see my backpack on one of your flights, I hope its a reminder that Breast Cancer sees no person as off limits.