Cancer Sucks Necklace

From NEM Designs by Laura McWhirter—

The DAM Necklace:
(D)on
(A)shleigh
(M)artin

“DAM” cancer.

This necklace is for all those affected by cancer. These are my people I will wear this for:

If you know me, you know: my closest circle has three people: my sister, Leah, and two of the best friends a girl could ask for, Melanie and Ashleigh.

In 2015, our lives were completely devastated when we learned (after a traumatic seizure in the middle of my niece’s tee ball game) that Leah’s husband, Martin, had Astrocytoma. Astrocytoma is an incurable and inevitable precursor to Glioblastoma. Glioblastoma is an incurable brain cancer. They had two young children at the time of diagnosis, ages 4 and 10 months.

In 2016, our lives were once again devastated and, more immediately, shattered when Melanie’s husband, Don, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer. Stage 4 Colon Cancer is incurable. They had two young children at the time of diagnosis, ages 8 and 5.

In 2018, Don passed away.

In 2023, Martin passed away.

In 2024, Ashleigh was diagnosed with breast cancer. Thank God, it’s curable. Ashleigh’s prognosis is good. She is continuing to fight with every bit of her faith and strength daily. She doesn’t miss a second of being everything and everywhere for her kids. She is a single mother of two small children, ages 4 and 1.

Because of these three people, I can tell you firsthand that it takes more than most people can ever imagine to fight that evil C word. It’s more than just hair loss (if you even get the opportunity to fight it to that extent) and sick stomachs. It’s life. It’s lives. Cancer affects everyone and everything in its path. Whether curable or incurable. Whether the fight is short or long. It is unimaginable and devastating for everyone in its path.

All 3 were diagnosed with that evil C word in their 30s.

All 3 were diagnosed with 2 young children at home.

All 3 had/have the biggest, most positively contagious personalities.

Cancer doesn’t care.

Cancer. SUCKS.

In. Every. Color.

BUT GOD.

God has reached so many people through my loved ones affected by the evil C word. The devil might throw cancer at us. But God delivers us from evil.