Erika, Jennifer, Amy, and Cindy
You get a promotion at work, what do you do? You call your friends. You get engaged, you call your friends. You get a new puppy, you call your friends. The friendship circle holds immense meaning to us all. It carries us through good times and bad, through thick and thin and through all of life’s lessons. We always know we have the support of this circle to get us where we need to go.
None of us expected the news that day. None of us even considered that this could happen. The news was so unnerving, our hearts fell from our chests and our tongues dropped to the floor. One of the worst days of our lives was the day we found out our dearest friend Erika was battling Stage IV lung cancer.
Jennifer Lister
“The punch to the gut I took that day was overwhelming. I couldn’t believe what I had heard. I wouldn’t believe what I heard. This has to be some sick joke. There is no way Erika has lung cancer. She doesn’t even smoke, I humphed thinking that would make it all go away….thinking that may have excused it. How does a 40 year old non-smoker with two small kids get lung cancer? How does my friend get lung cancer. It was, quite frankly, inconceivable.“
Email me: jlister1967@hotmail.com
Cindy Carey
“Finding out my wonderful friend Erika was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer was absolutely devastating. The news seemed surreal because I knew Erika did not have one risk factor, other than having lungs. As a nurse I know first hand what a cancer diagnosis means for individuals and their families. I am hoping to raise much needed funds for lung cancer research to help Erika and so many others affected by this horrible diagnosis. Even though Erika has been faced with this unfathomable diagnosis, she remains incredibly positive and is truly an inspiration to all of us.“
Email me: carey6@comcast.net
Amy Shirar
“I never imagined any of my friends getting cancer. I remember when I heard the news that my dear friend Erika was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lung Cancer. I kicked the desk and screamed. Not Erika, I thought. Why? She’s so kind, generous, loving and very funny. She’s never smoked a day in her life. She’s the big warm hug with a big laugh in our friendship circle of four. We never think it will happen in our circle of friends. But it did and it can happen to anyone. Erika’s cancer diagnosis has taught me not to take life for granted and embrace every day of living your best life. And now our circle of four is dedicated to making sure Erika—and others like her—survive cancer. Please join us by Dancing and Donating for Lung Cancer Research.“
Email me: amyshirar@gmail.com
Dance for Life Challenge 