IT'S THE SMALL THINGS Today is October first. Two months till December, and to me, a month of promise, hope and fulfillment. It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) and ever since my mother’s bout with breast cancer in 2014, the month of October has developed a whole new meaning for me. It is a month of strengthened faith, miracles and a transformational one, if you will. It is a month, eight years ago, that gave me a renewed perspective on life – that reminded me of my priorities, and what truly matters. On the brink of fear, one is reminded of the value of time – how we should make the most out of it, spend it with no regret, and with those who we want to, because it is something we can never take back, and we never truly know the meaning of until we are faced with adversity. My mother has always loved the color pink, and perhaps her positive persona is reflective of this. Pink is somehow a color associated with good change – all things rosy, and celebratory. Think La Vie en Rose and a bottle of rose champagne. Quite fitting to the plight of breast cancer, the color pink is one of extreme significance because what many need to know is that breast cancer (when caught early) does not have to be a death sentence. With proper screening and preventive measures, early detection is key, and, like it did in my mom’s instance, can save your life. Pink is the color of hope, and October is plagued with a lot of it simply because we women care for the welfare of other women. Education, and disseminating correct information is crucial, but so is a strong, and well-informed support system. When a family member is diagnosed with the feared C – aka cancer – it does not only affect the individual, but the entire family as well. Which is why, for most, they would rather evade the inevitable, delay their treatment options as not to be a burden – financially and emotionally – to their loved ones. It is unavoidable to be enveloped with fear and fright because who wants to have cancer? Sometimes, it can pose to be even more difficult for family members than the actual patient, but based on experience, I must tell you that I will forever be grateful to my mom who was very proactive from the onset, kept a positive mindset and aura that surrendered entirely to God, and stayed strong for us all. At the end of the day, her experience taught me that one must cling to faith, and instead of questioning and doubting God’s love, continue to view your cup as half full. Convince yourself to see the good, and to find a more significant and substantial meaning to what you are going through. At the end of the day, God only gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers, and will never give you more than you can bear. And this is when I Can Serve Foundation, and its founder Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala entered our lives. When my mom was declared cancer free, she sought it her mission to be of help to those going through the same experience as she, but who perhaps are not as financially blessed. She felt this was God’s way of prodding her to help this sector of society in a most meaningful way – to see lives renewed, to save a life every year, and to be able to provide for the treatment and cure of someone who deserves to live, and whose family still yearns for his/her presence. At the end of the day, gratefulness will take you farther than you expect, and it is what turns you into an instrument and agent of positive change. Next week, I write more about I Can Serve’s mission, Kara’s inspiring story, and how you can also give the gift of hope to others – this holiday season, and all year round.