Somehow, it's been one whole year since my very last treatment for breast cancer. This time last year, a final dose of Herceptin whirled through my veins, capping off 52 weeks of therapy with this targeted drug and completing a total of 18 months of intensive cancer care. Where has the time gone?

It's gone to a preschool job, writing jobs, a revamped exercise routine and an overhauled diet; to kindergarten pick-ups, reading and writing practice sessions, arts and crafts and play dates; to beach trips, family trips, a Canyon Ranch trip; to trick-or-treating, Christmas cheer, backyard Easter egg hunts; to birthday celebrations, anniversary celebrations, the arrival of my new baby niece; to growing out my hair, ditching an anti-depressant, and clean mammograms. The list goes on. And on. The more I list, the more I realize a year seems like so much less. I could have never predicted it -- that the endless, dismal, painful days wrapped in cancer could disappear and fade so quickly into the background. Yet happily, they did.

And what do I have to say on the occasion of this special anniversary? Just one thing: Ahhh!

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation recently revamped it's entire campaign landscape. There's been a name change -- Susan G. Komen for the Cure -- and an infusion of more than $1 million into advertising, and a logo redesign, and a whole slew of new slogans intended for magazines and websites and billboards and t-shirts.

These changes mark the 25-year anniversary of one woman's gift to her sister, Susan G. Komen, who lost her battle with breast cancer at the age of 36. This gift -- the now powerful Susan G. Komen for the Cure -- is most known for its Komen Race for the Cure, a nationwide fundraising and awareness campaign featuring races attended by more than one million participants.

Soon, this group may be known for even more.

Sister Nancy G. Brinker, a breast cancer survivor herself, says, "It's high time we took ownership of the strides we've made and declare our uncompromising commitment."

Brinker's declarations are flying. Some people think they are offensive. Others disagree. I won't share my opinion on this Thought for the Day just yet -- because I don't want to sway any opinions. But I'd love to hear your take on this Komen approach to stamping out breast cancer.

Think about this:

Some print and poster ads will feature a woman wearing a tank-style undershirt that says, "When we get our hands on breast cancer, we're going to punch it, strangle it, kick it, spit on it, choke it and pummel it until it's good and dead. Not just horror movie dead but really, truly dead. And then we're going to tie a pink ribbon on it."

Another ad states, "We only focus on one thing. Or, depending on how you look at it, two."

Another states, "If you're going to stare at my breasts, ... you could at least donate a dollar to save them."

I was diagnosed with cancer on my thirty-first birthday, December 18th, 2001, five years ago today. Those diagnosed with cancer might be receiving a diagnosis at this time, undergoing treatment or they even might be finished treatment and are on there way to starting their new normal life.

Whatever the case may be, dealing with cancer during the holidays can be rough. Emotionally speaking, it can be very hard to get in the mood and be joyous over the holiday season. Activities like shopping, social events, family gatherings and traveling can lead to high levels of physical effort and stress.

Sometimes it might seem so much easier to avoid social gatherings all together. Remember though, that family and friends are there to encourage and be supportive. It can be hard when you keep hearing how great you look, when you feel like it is not the truth. I believe that those that make that comment really do mean it. When your diagnosed with cancer I think people expect you to look a wreak! Usually that is not the case.

The holiday season could cause some thoughts to creep into your mind--Is this my last year to celebrate with my family? At this time of year it is common for those diagnosed with cancer to think about the future. Its OK to have those what if? questions. Its not negative thinking. Its normal. There is not one best way to deal with these thoughts or anxiety attacks you might be experiencing. Relaxation techniques can help and sometimes anti-anxiety medications can do the trick.

If you are feeling fatigued, let your family know this so they can help. Don't push yourself to do what you have always done in past years, be comfortable with yourself doing less. Set some clear priorities, things you think are most important that you want to accomplish. Always tell your oncologist or another physician how you are feeling. Tell the truth. Don't try and be brave. There are certain medications that can be administered if you are experiencing fatigue that developed from anemia, a common side effect from chemotherapy.

For me this holiday season is a special one. I'm so thrilled to be celebrating the five year milestone of survivorship along with my birthday. I'm so happy to be alive!

Happy Holidays!!

In July 2005, Amy Wilson was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the months that followed, Amy endured a lumpectomy, a mastectomy, reconstruction, and chemotherapy. In January 2006, Amy's treatment ended. And she set off on a journey of survivorship.

In August 2006, Amy found out her cancer had spread to her brain and lungs. Her doctors gave her two to 12 months to live. On Thursday, October 5, 2006, Amy died. She was 35 years old.

Amy became my friend shortly after her original diagnosis and eight months after my own breast cancer diagnosis. A mutual friend brought us together and for a little more than one year, we shared a rich connection, cemented in shared struggles and victories. Through phone conversations and e-mail exchanges and cards and gifts sent through the mail, Amy and I shared a special friendship. But I never looked Amy in the eye, never offered her a hug, never met her husband and children. I knew her only from a distance. Still, our partnership was powerful. It was comforting. And sadly, it is over.

Our same mutual friend called me Friday morning to tell me Amy had passed away -- a mere 15 months after her battle began, three months shy of the end-of-treatment anniversary she happily anticipated, five years from the age of 40 -- the age she had determined would mark her first true survivor milestone.

I miss Amy. I miss the pieces of hope that vanished with her death. I miss that I never met her, never hugged her, never said goodbye.

Amy, whose journey was chronicled in her local Ohio newspaper, is survived by her husband, her two children -- Luke, age five and Ella, age two -- and among others, her mother, who is currently fighting her own breast cancer battle.

Today marks ten years since Lance was diagnosed with testicular cancer. As all of us affected by cancer know, cancer may leave your body, but it never leaves your life. Lance has done many things over the last ten year since his diagnoses. You can read some of his accomplishments here.

I read both of Lance Armstrong's books, Its Not About the Bike and Every Second Counts. I really loved the first one and I actually learned that his sport is much more interesting than a group of guys racing on their bikes.

I'm coming up on my five year cancer anniversary in December. Me and my friend Deb, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time, plan on celebrating this milestone together! We know it doesn't mean we are definitely cured but I remember the way we looked at each other when we first met...will we be here in five years? We were both in our early 30's and scared. Today we see ourselves as strong women who will keep going no matter what!

Thanks to Deb Kirkland who gave me the tip about Lance's cancer anniversary

ABC World News Tonight partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Cancer Institute and the North American Quitline Consortium to present a special series Quit to Live. According to statistics, approximately 440,000 Americans will die from smoking-related illnesses this year. A more encouraging statistic is while there are 46 million smokers, for the first time, there are more ex-smokers than smokers.

The Quit to Live series is a comprehensive resource for the 70 percent of smokers who have indicated they are interested in quitting. At Quit to Live, you can watch the complete special series coverage in video broadcast reports; watch broadcast plus exclusive web-only content; view the videoblogs of Tracy, Jose, Meg and Alyce; how to quit thinking about quitting and compare different methods and find groups that can help.

You can read ABC medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson and experts from the nation's leading cancer centers answers to questions about smoking at Ask Tim. In addition to original reports and reviewed resources, they offer community to connect with others. This week, ABC News revisited the Quit to Live special series on the anniversary of Peter Jennings death to lung cancer. Any smoker interested in quitting will find this special series of great value -- you might want to start by watching the video Expert Interview on How to Quit.

On the anniversary of ABC News anchor Peter Jennings lung cancer death, Diane Sawyer spoke with medical editor Dr. Timothy Johnson about the impact Jennings death had for smokers. He indicated that while they do not have exact numbers, ABC was overwhelmed with telephone calls and emails from smokers asking for help or saying they were going to quit smoking as a result of the loss of Jennings.

There are 48 million smokers in the US, and 40 percent have tried to quit smoking. According to Dr. Johnson, only 20 percent of smokers who try to quit make use of aids available to help them -- patches, gum, antidepressants -- and only 5 percent of smokers are able to quit long term.

When Sawyer asked what message Dr. Johnson felt Jennings would want to convey to smokers, he said that Jennings would say, "keep trying, no matter how many times you try and fail to quit, keep trying -- each time you do is one more chance to become successful at quitting for good."

Dr. Johnson said Jennings, who admitted he was a heavy smoker for years before quitting, was a fighter. Dr. Johnson said Jennings would tell everyone who smokes to keep fighting to quit. ABC News has made the video of the interview, One Year Later: The Impact of Peter Jennings' Death, available online.

One lucky couple was chosen -- from a pool of more than 450 couples who competed in ESPN's Marriage Madness competition -- as winner of the ultimate ESPN sports wedding. With listeners of the Mike & Mike in the Morning national TV and radio show as voters, Catherine and Jason West, now husband and wife, were married May 26, 2006 on ESPN. Noteworthy is the fact that both Catherine and Jason are die-hard University of Florida Gator fans -- they met at a Gator tailgating party and were engaged at Lake Alice, a popular outdoor spot on campus. The bride wore crystal Gator beadwork on her gown and the groom's tuxedo jacket was lined in Gator orange. The maid of honor wore a Gator blue dress and carried an orange bouquet. The wedding vows included the traditional messages of love, honor, and respect -- but some sports twists were sprinkled in too. The Wests took away a check for $20,000, compliments of hosts Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, and they will soon head off on an all-expense paid sports-inspired honeymoon.

This wedding is inspired not just by sports.  It is also inspired by cancer survival. Catherine -- who became engaged on the one-year anniversary of her first breast cancer surgery -- is now in full cancer remission. And a $2,500 donation was made in the couple's name to the V Foundation, a cancer fund in memory of Jim Valvano, a former North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN broadcaster. This is surely an event to remember.

According to directors and critics alike, Timothy Spall is an acting institution -- a yardstick by which to measure other actors. My boys and most moviegoers know Timothy Spall as Peter Pettigrew, or Wormtail, from the Harry Potter films and as Mr. Poe in the Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events film. Ten years ago, Spall was diagnosed with leukemia, and in a recent interview, he spoke about the experiences of being a cancer survivor. 

When he was first diagnosed with cancer, he said, "I had to face up to oblivion." Ten years later, he says, "It's a tacit thing. It's called remission. It's a bit like being an alcoholic; you're a recovering alcoholic until the day you die. With cancer, they suggest that after five years of being clear, if you are going to die it may be something else that kills you."

"Ten years is going to be a great anniversary. I know exactly when I was diagnosed, to the day. We won't have a huge shindig, but it's a very important day. It was a horrendous, horrendous adventure." Although Spall does not want to be known or remembered because he had cancer, he does credit the experience for making him the actor he has become. In understanding suffering, and fear, and oblivion, he can relate to characters he plays who face similar life situations, and can bring a realism to the portrayal.

On being an actor -- and on living -- and on the future he says, "Nothing to lose, everything to gain, everything to enjoy." Spoken from the perspective of a true cancer survivor.