Victory Challenge – Be Inspired & Vote Now
We have been truly inspired by all of the stories you shared, thank you for taking the time to tell about your survivor’s journey into health and strength. It was difficult to pick three finalists, there were so many amazing women & storytellers out there!
After much debate, we have our finalists. Once you read their stories, please take a moment to vote for your favorite at the bottom of the page. The winner (& their storyteller) will receive a prize pack detailed in this post: Victory Challenge. Which one should have the opportunity to rebuild a room in their home to match their inner beauty? You tell us!
STORY #1 – Julie
My wife, Julie, came home from the gym yesterday morning and placed a post-it note on my desk that read “Don’t let your weakness trick you into thinking you lack strength.” I don’t know where she got that from but that about sums up how she feels about everything, including her victory over breast cancer.
Julie is a 2+ year survivor of stage 3c triple negative breast cancer at age 39. While cancer turned our lives upside down, it also blessed us by giving her and our family a second chance to re-prioritize and see life through a new lens – one of gratitude and service to others instead of the self-absorbed rat race we were in “pre-BC” (pre-breast cancer).
You see, my wife didn’t just survive breast cancer, she has used it to change our lives and that of others, for the better. She began by blogging about her journey and took it further by proactively reaching out to other newly diagnosed survivors to lend her support and share information about how to get through treatment and minimize side effects. She coaches others (for free) about how to discard unhealthy habits and practices and replace them with healthier ones that boost the immune system and give us a better chance at avoiding a diagnosis or a recurrence.
She didn’t stop there – she co-founded a cancer ministry at church that offers support to cancer patients, caregivers and anyone else touched by cancer in need of support and prayer. She joined forces with other survivors and produced a video “The Pink Wig Dance” to celebrate survivorship and raise awareness of aggressive breast cancer in young women, garnering support of a major recording artist and top health care providers. Now she’s working on a project that she hopes will reach and help many many more and I’m so proud of her and know that she’s making a difference not just in our house, but in the lives of others.
I would love for Julie to be recognized by Otterbox & Tomboy Tools for using her journey to help others.
STORY #2 – Kristie
First I want to say thank you Otterbox for giving me the opportunity to share the story of an amazing friend, mother & wife. You are truly an extraordinary company, with exceptional
support. I’ve included my story of my dear friend/family Kristie Newsome & a FEW pics, you can choose which ever one you would like to represent her.. Thank you again!
This is a story of a truly amazing women, she is a 30yr old newlywed with a 6month old daughter, fighting the battle of her life. She was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer this past August; she has since underwent a double mastectomy and begun a number of chemo rounds ,scheduled to end early next yr. We do our best to help with the day to day task. Through all this Kristie has been such a trooper, she had continued working until recently when the risk began to outway the reward. She loves her job as preschool teacher almost as much as being a mom to her beautiful daughter, Kendall. She is truly a blessing. Kristie was told back in ’09 she may have Breast Cancer, she handled it much like she has this time, the only difference was the terrify thought of not being able to have a child. I remember feeling so guilty for being over the moon, because I was pregnant and it came so easy for me. Here she was facing so many uncertainties, yet she was genuinely happy for me; she never once asked me not to talk about my pregnancy or showed resentment.
It ended up being as benign cyst and she later learned she carried the BRCA1 gene; inherited from her mom (who has fought her own battle with ovarian cancer). This gave her a new found need, not only want for a child. With the increased chances of having Breast Cancer in the future, she knew the sooner was better. Kendall was born in March, a short 5months before her mommy was given some of the hardest news she will ever hear. She has said, “I look at my peanut and husband and say I have the strength! It is in me. I will fight to the end and nothing will take me down or stop me.” This is our WARRIOR fighting to rebuild her life to the normalcy she once knew. I’m so proud of her, she empowers amazing STRENGTH!
STORY #3 – Jill
Imagine… Happily preparing for your second child at 8 months pregnant. The nesting urge in full swing, blissfully painting the nursery, enjoying your baby shower. Then WHAM! With one phone call (aka sucker punch) you now suddenly have breast cancer. A joyful time turned sour in one awful moment. How will you deal with the now urgent delivery of your baby, then caring for a newborn during chemo? Then how will you deal with a double mastectomy at the young age of 31? Oh, and one MORE thing! How will you ever, on top of all that, possibly cope with a husband who decides to abandon you in your greatest time of need, just two days after your mastectomies? So began my lovely sister Jill’s 2007 “cancer odyssey” that shaped her into the person she is today, a loving, strong, vibrant young survivor with a bucket list getting shorter all the time!
At her weakest following the mastectomies, I remember watching her shakily sign her name, bald and in PJs, in a very public bank lobby on emergency business. It was a sobering look at the toll the fight was taking on her. Newborn Lainey was a shining star in those dark days. The juxtaposition of a perfect new life and my sister’s fight for her own life was astounding.
Through God’s grace, those traumatic times gave way to a full recovery – four years in remission! She swears cancer was a blessing because the fight gave her a sense of strength and perspective she did not have previously. Her motto: “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away”, exemplified by her new pastime – skydiving!
Now at her strongest, my survivor sister Jill is raising very happy, healthy 8 and 4 year old girls, Peyton and Lainey, while supporting them primarily on a teacher’s salary. She recently bought a cute little house that she’s fixing up to transform into a home. She’s a good-hearted person, an inspiring SURVIVOR, and deserving candidate for some OtterBox swag and DIY tools!
Voting will be open until October 30th at 11:59pm.
Ellen Deffenbaugh 
Kerry Volk 
Amanzueta 
Amber 
Jessica Santos 
Facts please 
Diana 
Bob Lewis 
Robert 
Ivan 
Jill 
Karen 
Maureen 
kathy wright-bevacqua 
Barb 
Polly Shaughnessy 
Cindy 
Catherine Schwartzbaum 
shea-anne 
Paula 
Cindy 
Tammy 
DarioleMechele 
Janet Punty 
Richelle 
Martha Corbett
congrats to all the survivors…
julie has my vote.. *)) God Bless All
Stay encouraged.. XO