Dara’s story

Cancer, it’s a word that carries weight. Nearly all of us will encounter it at some point, whether personally, through a family member, or a friend. It’s an emotional odyssey with many aspects often navigated in solitude.

During this year’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I found myself reflecting on how it has touched my life and the lives of people close to me. I’ve seen it up close. My mom’s experience with cancer left a lasting impression and I know how painful and overwhelming it can be.

That’s why this project is close to my heart. I sat down with my friend Dara, whose resilience and openness bring light to the darkest corners of this challenge. Her ability to speak clearly and honestly about the emotional and practical realities of breast cancer is powerful.

Recognizing the power in her story, I invited Dara to share it, as a human account to help others understand what to expect, to remind those in the thick of it that they’re not alone, and to offer comfort to loved ones who want to help but may not know how.

I hope Dara’s words will resonate, inform, and comfort, and perhaps help illuminate the path for someone who needs to hear them.

— Nick