2008 Co-Survivor Recognition Award
This year's Co-Survivor Recognition goes to John Gardner. John's partner, Michelle Walm, a breast cancer survivor, nominated John for the support he gave to her during her battles with the disease.
Michelle wrote:
I am a breast cancer survivor and I would like to nominate my partner, John Gardner for your recognition program. John came into my life shortly after my first mastectomy. He was invaluable to me through my battle and the subsequent reconstruction surgery after surgery after surgery. He gave me courage to face myself in the mirror every morning when I felt hideous, looking at me like he couldn't see the missing pieces and scars left behind. He was beside me every moment, hearing the words from the doctors that I had shut out when I just couldn't cope anymore. He gave me humor to take away the pain, and comfort when I just couldn't get past it. I developed a fear of the IV after my 5th surgery and would have the worst anxiety attack whenever the nurse came in; John's ingenious idea to help me through was to hand be a Listerine strip just as the nurse would start the IV - I know it sounds insignificant, but that simple act made all the difference and continues to do so today.
John is my life partner and the father of our two post-cancer miracle little boys (who will be 5 and 3 this year). Even if you put aside all the flowers and cards, uncomfortable nights and days beside my bed in the hospital and at home, all the goofy moments when we laughed through the tears, all the years of having to go back into surgery again and again ....... John would still be the man who gave (and still gives) me the hope, the love, the courage, and the strength to get out of bed everyday. He's taught me that I'm not defined by this disease.
I know in my heart that John deserves recognition as a co-survivor. I can only imagine how hard it has been for him trying to care for me and keep our home running smooth and care for our boys when I'm down from surgeries. I'm the luckiest woman on Earth.
Michelle Walm
2008 Award
No one should face breast cancer alone.
Co-survivors play a vital role in helping people with breast cancer, whether they are recently diagnosed or have already completed treatment. Co-survivors can be friends, spouses, family members, co-workers or neighbors, who do any number of things, large and small, to assist people dealing with breast cancer. Through its Komen Co-Survivor Program, Susan G. Komen for the Cure recognizes that co-survivors are critical to the quality of life patients experience immediately after diagnosis, while undergoing treatment and well into survivorship. This program recognizes the many kinds of support that a breast cancer survivor may experience. The Co-Survivor not only makes a difference in the life of a survivor, but also serve as examples to us all of everyday people who find meaningful ways to ease the burden of someone dealing with breast cancer.