I Hate Tumors: JANE magazine essay captures readers

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I Hate Tumors: JANE magazine essay captures readers

Posted Mar 2nd 2007 11:00AM by Jacki Donaldson
Filed under: Prevention, Cervical Cancer, Magazines

Tears are streaming down my face. I can't stop them, and I'm not sure I want to. In a way, I want to feel the tragedy of life lost to cancer because it makes it all real. It makes it personal. It makes me realize the same tragedy could happen to me, my family members, my friends. It makes me want to make a difference even more now that I've seen the chilling pictures of a young woman dying of cervical cancer than moments earlier when I was moved mostly by my own breast cancer journey.

I first read about Heather Lyn Martin on the JANE magazine website, home of a beautifully-written story -- I Hate Tumors -- by Sara Lyle, long-time friend of Heather and senior editor for JANE, a publication for 20-something women. Sara's words powerfully depict the life and death of her friend, stricken with a disease she was sure she would beat. So sure, in fact, she asked Sara to help tell her success story.

Sadly, Heather never got to tell much. Because she died much too soon, at the age of 28. So Sara told the story through her own words and photos -- the same ones responsible for my tears -- and has just recently written a second essay, one year after her first story started reaching young people everywhere.

Sara wrote Why I Still Hate Tumors after inspiring many young women to open their eyes to the realities of a deadly disease. Her words serve to raise awareness about the dangers of cervical cancer -- and the HPV virus that causes it -- and to point women in the direction of resources critical for preventing and conquering the disease.

Sara, because of the death of her dear friend, is saving lives with her message. And she just may save yours.

To see all that Sara has to offer in the fight against cervical cancer and other hated tumors, visit her I Hate Tumors website.

Tags: 28, awareness, breast, cancer, cervical, chilling, dangers, deadly, death, died, disease, editor, essay, friend, hate, heather, HPV, I, JANE, journey, life, lost, lyle, lyn, magazine, martin, photos, pictures, raise, resources, sara, senior, still, story, tears, tragedy, tumors, website, women, words

Reader Comments

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1. So sad Jacki. Talk about heart-wrenching. I remember reading the Jane article too, it brought tears to my eyes too. It also made me realize how drastic of a transformation cancer causes to the body. Sending a hug your way. lesley

Posted at 4:55PM on Mar 2nd 2007 by Lesley

2. Yes, this article is sad. She was too young to have been taken so soon. Sara sounds like a very wonderful friend and person to carry on for Heather and help so many other also.

I shed a tear for all women fighting cancer, for all that are losing their battle today. The unnecessary suffering one has to go through, as just having cancer is not bad enough, one has to deal with the physical agony as well. My heart swells with emotion for the survivors also, for they never know if their fight with cancer will end, or, start all over again, The fight really never ends does it. I pray for the day that Cancer is obliterated.

Also, this magazine, Beyond, sounds to be promising. Hopefully, it will reach the young women and teens, capture their interest, so they may become aware, Cancer will strike anybody, anywhere, at any time. It does not care how old you are.

My blessings to all, Jason

Posted at 9:00PM on Mar 3rd 2007 by Jason Chambers

3. Hi my name is Tamika and I am a 6 year cervical cancer survivor. I was featured in the "I Still Hate Tumors" article. Please remember that: All women should get regular Pap tests

Women 30 and up should also make sure to get an HPV test

Young women ages 9 to 26 should talk with their doctors about the HPV Vaccine

It's very important. I don't want any woman to go through what I went through. I also hope that you will be able to join me on Saturday, May 19th in Washington, DC for the first EVER cervical cancer awareness walk. We need your help. For more about info check out www.tamikaandfriends.org

Tamika

Posted at 9:52PM on Mar 18th 2007 by Tamika Felder



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