MY STORY: Shana Mertes

Hello! My name is Shana, and this is my SURVIVOR story.

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer on March 10, 2006. I was scared out of my mind.

When I was 9, I watched my aunt struggle, and pass away, from the very disease I was just diagnosed with.

When I was 14, I watched my mom’s struggle. I went to her doctor appointments with her, tied the scarfs she wore on her head when her hair fell out, and recently celebrated her cancer free anniversary.

Now, at the age of 30, I was facing the biggest fight of my life. I had cancer. My son was a baby. Only 4 months old. There was no way I was going to let cancer take me from him.

Through surgeries, chemo, hair loss, and doctor visits, he was the light at the end of my cancer tunnel. My main motivation for wanting to beat cancer.

In 2014 my cancer journey led me to meet my half sister. She, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer. I am happy to report that she is also cancer free!

Today, I am 44 years old, my son is almost 14 and I am 14 years cancer free!