When the health system fails, you must advocate for your truth.
I always knew this day would come, but I held onto the hope for some miraculous turn of events.
Last night, I heard the words I feared. "I’m tired. They have to drain my lungs three times a week. There are no more chemo options... I think this is it." Those words came from the girl who has defied all the odds for nearly four years, when they only gave her six months. My hero, who relentlessly pushed the finish line further with every step, is now done running.
So, I told her I loved her. What else can you say in a moment like that? Anything else would have felt selfish, too clinical. For months, I’d already been softly lying to her, trying to offer hope when her spirit alone was what had kept her going, far beyond what medicine could offer.
You might wonder, why share this now? The answer is simple. For years, my friend was dismissed by clinicians who told her she was fine—suggesting she see a psychologist when her body was being ravaged by ovarian cancer, a silent killer that claims the lives of over 14,000 women in the U.S. every year. Its symptoms are often subtle, easily overlooked, and far too frequently ignored.
While we wait for medical advancements, we cannot remain silent. If you haven’t had your annual exam yet—go. If you feel something is wrong and no one is listening—don’t stay quiet. If you need someone to help amplify your voice, I will stand with you, help you ask the hard questions, and make sure you're heard.
I can’t stand by while more of my friends fall victim to something that could have been prevented. It’s time we make women’s health a priority. As the backbone of our families and communities, we have no other choice.