Anita Cruz

Its hard to believe how quickly time goes by, and how the decisions I made so many moons ago have shaped my life. 

Looking back over the last 20 years... I've loved & I've lost;  Been overwhelmed with joy & been heart broken; Seen the good & the dark side of people; Been knocked down & found loving hands ready to lift me back up. 

Life is amazing. I feel blessed to be alive. There is beauty all around me. My heart is open, and filled with Love and hope. 

I hope you can see the beauty and feel the love, today and everyday. - Happy Valentines Day!
 

Anita Cruz

 

In March of 2011, I received news that broke my heart. My Aunt Toni (aka Nina Toni), my 2^nd momma, told me she had Breast Cancer.   For the 1^st time in my life I felt powerless and lost. I didn’t really know what to do or how to help her.  I felt I had to something.  A good friend of mine, who battles with skin cancer herself, told me about a 5k walk she does every year to support women’s cancers, The Revlon Run/Walk LA.

So I signed up to support the cause, but my main reason was to show support for my Aunt. I really had no idea what I was about to encounter. I had no idea the magnitude of emotion I would feel by participating in this event.  So many people were there to show their support for their loved ones. But the one thing that really shook me to my core was to see all the cancer survivors!  I met a women who was power walking her way to the finish line who had on her shirt that she was a 2 time, stage 4 cancer survivor!  She was walking with pride and I felt compelled to congratulate her on her victory against this ugly disease.  She told me to make sure I told my Aunt to never give up and to fight like hell.  I will never forget her or her words, and I will never forget this event and the emotion I felt that day. It was a day of pride for those who have survived, a celebration of life for those love ones lost, a show of support for those who are currently battling cancer, and hope for a cure. 

This year The Revlon Run/Walk LA takes place on Saturday May 12, 2012 in Los Angeles at the LA Coliseum. I will be starting a team called “Team Nina”, to show support for my Aunt Toni’s courage and strength this last year as she underwent her treatment for her breast cancer . We hope you will participate or help sponsor us at this amazing event.  You can sign up under our team or as an individual.

The Revlon Run/Walk is a 5k which is about 3.1 miles.  You can run it or you can walk it, or you can just go to show your support and cheer on everyone at the finish line. 

As December 5^th, 2011, my Aunt Toni has finished her Chemo and radiation treatments and is doing remarkably well.  She is happy and grateful to now be a “Survivor”!                                                                

Go to Website: http://do.eifoundation.org/goto/TeamNina to join or make a donation! 

~Anita