My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2014.

It was an interesting summer – I was switching universities, my sister had just graduated college, my brother was recently engaged. It seemed like everything was changing for the better, but my mom’s diagnosis made us all take a step back. Everything just kind of stopped.

As crazy as it may sound, my mom’s cancer diagnosis didn’t come as a complete surprise to me. My grandma (on my mom’s side) died of breast cancer in 1984, so it’s always been in the back of my mind.

But I never thought it would actually happen to my mom.

The woman who gave birth to me had cancer. The woman who gave me a sense of humor had cancer. The woman who gave me the habit of singing while I do the dishes had cancer. The woman who taught me everything I know had cancer.

I know she was going to be OK; she had to be OK.

After surgery, radiation, and an outpouring of love and support, my mom became a cancer survivor.

She’s been cancer free since October 7, 2014.

Though she was only sick for a few months, our family has forever changed because of my mom’s diagnosis. Her breast cancer made all of us much more aware of our own health, and it taught us that life definitely throws curveballs, no matter how uninvited or unfair they may be.

My mom is the strongest woman I have ever known. Even on the day she received her diagnosis, she was smiling and laughing, just like she always had before. I aspire to emulate her spunky, brave character everyday – a character that never faltered, even throughout her treatment.

October is a special month for people everywhere whose lives have been changed because of breast cancer. This month, we celebrate survivors, root for those who are currently fighting, and honor those who have lost their lives.

This month and every month, we will continue to fight breast cancer. And we won’t give up until a cure is found.