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According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 39,620 women are expected to die from breast cancer in 2013.
However, more than 2.9 million women with a history of breast cancer are alive today, either completely cancer free or undergoing treatment.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and although we tend to focus on raising awareness for the disease, I think it is also important to celebrate the strength of those women who have fought back against the second most deadly cancer in women.
Breast cancer survivors are all around us. They are caring mothers and grandmothers, dedicated businesswomen. They are brave warriors.
They are your co-workers, your friends, your family. They have fought a great battle and won.
I admire their strength, their courage and their ability to keep going, even when things aren't always looking the best.
So wear your pink proud this month, push awareness and be sure to admire a breast cancer survivor with a smile, a hug or some kind words.