A message from Cathy, our Plano Race for the Cure blogger:
Today I want to introduce you to Christine Weiss. Christine is the captain of the Faith Wears Pink team, and she has an amazing story.
Christine was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2013. Like many of us, this wasn’t the first time her doctors found something “off” with her mammogram, and she was asked to come back for a sonogram and needle biopsy. As the doctor looked at the sonogram, Christine said the feeling in the room changed. She knew that something was not right. When everyone stepped out of the room for a moment, Christine stopped and prayed and knew that whatever the results, her faith would help see her through. Christine’s diagnosis was confirmed as Triple Positive, stage 2A. She went through a double mastectomy, 6 rounds of chemo, and a year of Herceptin.
Fast forward to January of 2014. Christine had been introduced to several ladies who were facing their own breast cancer diagnosis. She felt compelled to start a support group on Facebook. The group started with about two dozen ladies, as an open forum where members could ask questions, get answers, and walk through the cancer journey together. Christine plans monthly get-togethers, makes handmade chemo blankets (and prays for the recipients), provides faith-based materials and literature, and offers emotional support for the group members. The group has expanded to 194 women nationwide.
Ten days after her mastectomy, Christine and her family attended the Plano Race for the Cure. Her daughter, Brooke, walked in support of Christine along with 15 of her friends. This year, Christine’s “Faith Wears Pink” group asked her to captain a team so they could walk with and be supported by the women who support them daily.
The team, Faith Wears Pink, is made up of survivors, their friends, family and co-workers. This group loves to support one another, and looks forward to participating in and fundraising for an organization working towards a cure for a disease that has impacted every member, either directly or indirectly.
When asked to describe herself, Christine said: “I’m a 46 year old single mom of 3 teenagers, run my own salon business, and was surrounded by an incredible community for my journey! But the greatest part was that faith and prayer got me through it in stellar fashion. Faith Wears Pink is just my way of giving back for what God did for me.”
I look forward to meeting Christine and the Faith Wears Pink team at this year’s Plano Race for the Cure – and I hope you do too!
