Every October, the world turns pink. Ribbons on lapels, buildings bathed in soft rose light, and social media timelines filled with hashtags of hope and strength. For years, I wore that pink ribbon too — not fully understanding the weight it carried. Until the day it became my story.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in 2019. A single sentence from my doctor changed everything: “We found something.” It’s incredible how life can shift in just three words. Suddenly, the days became a blur of biopsies, surgeries, chemo sessions, and moments of deep fear mixed with stubborn determination. I wasn’t just reading awareness posts anymore — I was the awareness.

The Fight I Never Chose but Had to Win

People often talk about cancer like it’s a battle, but the truth is, it’s more like a marathon you never signed up for. Some days I felt strong — hopeful, ready to face anything. Other days, I felt broken, fragile, and angry. My body changed. My energy vanished. My world narrowed down to the next appointment, the next test result, the next small victory.

But in that storm, I found something powerful: resilience. I discovered how deeply loved I was by family and friends who held me up when I couldn’t stand. I learned to celebrate tiny milestones — hair growing back millimeter by millimeter, blood counts stabilizing, scans coming back clear. And slowly, painfully, I fought my way to remission.

Awareness Isn’t Just a Ribbon — It’s a Lifeline

Now that I’m on the other side, October means something entirely different. Breast Cancer Awareness Month isn’t just about pink campaigns and fundraising runs (though those matter deeply). It’s about life-saving action.

It’s about reminding every woman — and every man, too — to check their bodies, schedule their mammograms, and listen when something feels “off.” Early detection is the reason I’m here to write this today. If my doctor hadn’t insisted on further tests, my story might have ended very differently.

It’s about breaking the silence around fear and vulnerability. Cancer doesn’t care about your age, your lifestyle, or your plans. Talking openly about symptoms, risks, and screening saves lives. Awareness isn’t passive; it’s a call to action.

Life After Cancer: The Beauty in the Ordinary

Remission isn’t the finish line; it’s a new chapter. I still have scars — physical and emotional — that tell the story of where I’ve been. I still hold my breath before every follow-up scan. But I’ve also learned to savor life in ways I never did before. Morning coffee tastes richer. Laughter sounds louder. Ordinary days feel extraordinary.

Cancer took a lot from me, but it also gave me perspective. It taught me strength I didn’t know I had and showed me the immense value of community, science, and hope.

My Message This October

If you’re reading this and you’ve never had breast cancer, please — schedule that check-up. Do your self-exams. Talk to the women (and men) you love about it. Don’t wait.

If you’re in the middle of treatment, know this: you are stronger than you think. One step, one day, one breath at a time — you will get through this.

And if, like me, you’re in remission, let’s be the loudest voices this October. Not just survivors, but advocates — living proof that early detection, research, and resilience change everything.

This October, I wear my pink ribbon not as a symbol of tragedy, but of triumph. Because I am still here. Still healing. Still living. And that’s worth celebrating — today, tomorrow, and every October to come.

Finding Strength Together: Support Organizations in the UAE

One of the most important lessons I learned during my journey is that you are never alone — even when it feels like you are. Across the UAE, there are incredible organizations that walk hand-in-hand with patients, survivors, and families through every step of the breast cancer journey. Whether you need medical guidance, emotional support, or a community that truly understands, help is out there:

• Friends of Cancer Patients (FOCP) – Based in Sharjah, FOCP offers free screenings, financial support, and counseling services. They run campaigns like the Pink Caravan, which travels across the UAE providing free breast cancer checkups.
• Al Jalila Foundation – Brest Friends – In partnership with Al Jalila Foundation, Brest Friends supports breast cancer research, patient care, and awareness campaigns. They also host regular survivor meetups and educational talks.
• Emirates Oncology Society – A professional body that raises awareness, organizes events, and supports early detection initiatives across the UAE, often collaborating with hospitals and clinics.
• Pink Caravan Ride – Part of FOCP, this annual nationwide campaign brings mobile screening clinics and educational programs to communities across all seven emirates.

These organizations were — and still are — lifelines for so many of us. They offer not just information and medical help, but hope, community, and a reminder that healing is never a journey we take alone.