My name is Rayan, and I relay for my mom.

Many of you all don't know but my mom has been battling breast cancer for the last year.

In early 2023, she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Walked in one day from work to hear the news and I almost didn't believe it. She'd been dealing with other health issues but nothing close to showing signs of something this extreme. 

I like to say my mom was a single mother, dad was out working 24/7 so most my memories are with her. Everything I've taken to be is from my time with her. From watching our favorite tv shows like the 100 when they came out each week to going grocery shopping and to the mall, she's the staple of my childhood memories. My mom loved cooking, and cooking 3 meals a day everyday was her way of showing us love. She taught me not only how to cook, but also how to spread that same love through my meals. She taught me everything from how to shave to how to talk to women (I thank her for this one everyday). She even taught me how to ace an interview which landed me my first job. 

Stage 4 is non-curable and knowing such future is inevitable feels like a part of me is on a ticking time bomb. 

 It's been a constant fight everyday watching her have to take it head on and not give up. Everydays a struggle to do the things we used to do, but somehow she manages to keep a smile on her face every single day whilst continuing to run both her businesses. I'm greatful to have her as my mom because she's shown me that no matter what I'll face in life, there's always good to look forward to. I can confidently say, without my mother I would'nt be close to the man I am today. It's hard to see a world where family members face this everyday but picturing one with out cancer brings me some sort of peace. 

I appreciate any type of support whether that's monetary or even sharing this story on your socials. Cancers a shit disease and I'm happy to have any impact on a future with out it.