My husband and I both work full time and take care of the kiddies (who were 2 and 3 at the time) we live a non stop life as all parents do! Who has time for a diagnosis like this! Or has the money to pay for medical bills on top of regular bills coming in!? Let alone the bad thoughts that go through your head when you’re told you have cancer; I was and am a force to be reckoned with, to say the least, I will do anything for Ethan and Maisy. I did and will do anything to keep them happy. There’s a lot of grimy details that go along with cancer, the treatments, the side effects and the surgeries. A lot of things have gone wrong and a lot of things have went well over the past few years but if I have learned anything, it is to roll with it. Life is about getting over hurdles and coming out stronger. We all have setbacks in life, some more intense than others, but they all carry importance. All that matters is that you see the silver lining and move forward.

Maisy was 2 and easily distracted, but my son, Ethan, was 3 1/2 when I got diagnosed and he needed an outlet. I never wanted them to see me in bad shape or getting very sick. Ethan’s a gentle giant, sensitive kid and got upset when I didn’t feel well. I NEEDED them to know I was still me but just not feeling well, no matter how deathly iIwas. When he was 4 we took him to his first learn to skate hockey program and the way he lit up on the ice was amazing! Although, he was scared at first he was so excited he didn’t look back. This was it. He found so much fun in the game, made friends easily and never wanted to leave the rink! I am so happy that Ethan has hockey to play and watch and get excited over! It’s the best feeling to know he has his team to lean on and hockey to use as a healthy outlet. He’s ALWAYS excited to go to hockey or skating whether it’s on the ice or rollerblading and practicing shots in the backyard. No matter how bad I feel I go to watch him and see the pure joy on his face! Hockey quickly became a huge staple in our life, we are a hockey family. Maisy ice skates now, Ethan and Brian have a special bond over it and I am a hockey mom! I love watching him learn new tricks, score goals, and overall be proud of himself!

Being introduced to Nick and Michael Singer and the Mena Singer Foundation Family was truly a gift. My friend Colleen, a huge support system for my family and I, got in touch with Nick and shared our story with him, this was one of the best silver linings to come out of my journey. They are the reason Ethan can play hockey as much as he does and I am forever grateful for them and this foundation. As you may, or may not, know hockey is probably the most expensive sport a kid can get involved in. There are SO many families affected by this terrible disease and find themselves in a tough spot financially. MSF doesn’t let money be an issue that is preventing kids from do what they love. They need an outlet especially when life is hard and unfair! I want to help other families in similar situation by raising money for this foundation that means SO MUCH to us. Any donation you are able to make can help families affected by breast cancer see a silver lining in the light of their kids.

For donations by mail, please make checks payable to:

Mena Singer Foundation

P.O. Box 191

Hazlet, N.J. 07730

The Mena Singer Foundation is a New Jersey nonprofit corporation classified as a 501(c)(3) public charity by the Internal Revenue Service.