This year we are celebrating┬á25 years of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month!┬á Since it’s inception in 1985, the 5 year┬ásurvival rate has increased from just 75% to a staggering 98%. That is an amazing number and one we should all be thankful for.

I recently had the honor of spending time with a very special lady who┬áhas just began her┬ábattle with breast cancer.┬á I┬áhave been intrigued by her story from the beginning.┬á She┬áis a local elementary art teacher and she decided to fighther cancer with a little extra ammunition……. a positive attitude!┬á┬á She also decided to include┬áher┬á835 students┬ábecause┬áas an experienced teacher with 2┬áchildren of her own – she knew she wouldn’t be able to slide ANYTHING past a bunch of elementary kids!┬á┬á As if they wouldn’t notice the eclectic blend of ┬áhats, scarves and changing hair styles and colors!┬á┬á┬á Her goal initially was to┬áteach the kids that while bad things happen in your life – you can┬áremain positive and that attitude is EVERYTHING!┬á ┬áBut┬áas the weeks rolled by, she realized it┬áis much deeper than that.┬á Her students are learning empathy and they are learning to give of themselves┬áwhen others are in need.┬á┬á┬áSome are even┬áfinding┬ácomfort in her when their very own mothers are diagnosed┬áwith breast cancer.┬á This is an amazing story of a simple little art teacher, who in my book – isn’t so simple after all!

I am beginning┬áthis series┬áof┬á 2 vlogs with┬áPatti Brigman sharing the story of her diagnosis.┬á ┬áEnjoy getting to know her – I sure have!

Visit Patti’s blog: http://pattihatescancer.blogspot.com/┬á to follow the entire journey.