At Palo Magazine we always try and honor cancer survivors. This year we were invited to attend a celebration of a local woman named Annie Aponte who was pregnant when diagnosed with stage 4 Breast Cancer and was told she should abort. Here we are 15 years later she is alive and celebrating this beautiful thing called life. But not only does she celebrate her own life but the miracle of the child that she chose not to abort. Today he is a healthy teenager who can celebrate alongside her side and the rest of the family including her husband Carlos Aponte and their other two children.
This is a beautiful story of hope and a reminder to never give up however it is also an important reminder to get regular breast exams because early detection is the best chance to find out earlier. They say the earlier you find out the better your chances of survival.
If you do survive this monster, you have been given a second chance of life. Then I can only recommend that you do as Annie and many others have done, celebrate life, follow your dreams, celebrate yourself because you are a true miracle of life.
Rosa J. Parra
CEO & Founder, Palo Magazine