Jana Peters Life Is Good Award

(A picture of me and my friend and co-writer, Tina Herold, at the In Living Pink event last night)
So last night, I won the inaugural Jana Peters Life Is Good Award at the In Living Pink event last night. This event was sponsored by Young Survival Coalition and Ribbons of Pink. I can only tell you that the night was a total blur. I know I wrote about this in my last post, but I wanted to write a little more today. I wrote and rewrote my speech over and over, but in the end, I was so honored and humbled by winning the award...I am not really sure what I said. My main thing is that I wanted to honor Jana. I truly feel as though I am a conduit, a flow-through to share information. Though I don't want to discount my accomplishments, my goal is not to achieve awards or recognition...and certainly, I did not believe I would get this award in Jana's honor.

Jana was one of the co-authors of Nordies at Noon. She and her co-athors, Kim Carlos, Patti Balwanz and Jennifer Johnson paved the way for an advocate/writer like me. They published their book while Jana was still alive. Unfortunately, Patti had already passed away from this wretched disease. Jana was diagnosed with metastatic disease just 18 months after her initial diagnosis. It is right the way this disease steals away the life of the vital and the young.

Though I have combed through Jana's website (ribbonsofpink.org) and the Nordie's web site (nordiesatnoon.com), I still find myself wishing that I had truly KNOWN Jana....that there had been time for us to meet. I had read and re-read her sections of the book so that I could be sure to prepare for the event last night. I wanted to make sure to capture her spirit during my speech. She strove to educate others while keeping cancer at bay. She had a wonderful relationship with her husband, Chris. They lived the last two-and-a-half years in her life in San Francisco, which was a dream of theirs.

When I was told I received the award, I could not believe it. I felt unworthy and as I went back to research Jana more, I connected so much with her as a fellow writer. I still felt unworthy when I accepted the award and gave my speech. Yet, I know her better now and that will help me to better advocate for others, to educate people on cancer and to write my story. Look at the impact her one life had on me, I only hope that I can help others in the way that she did.

Jana wore Life Is Good hats during and after treatment and truly believed that life is good, just like I do. Regardless of Stage IV status, my life is still good. The committee gave me beautiful pink flowers and a wonderful engraved pink statue. They also gave me a pink Life is Good shirt which I have been wearing all day. I am trying to embrace the pink and keep on keeping on!

I am truly honored to even know of Jana. Please check out the websites above if you want to learn more about the other Nordie's at Noon girls. I can't guarantee that you won't shed a tear, but I can guarantee you will be better for the experience. I will also add links to the right.

Blessings,
Lolo