Betty Ford

Before there were pink ribbons, Susan B. Komen events, “Save the Ta-Ta’s” t-shirts and breast cancer support groups, there was Betty Ford.  At time when breast cancer survivors were forced to suffer in silence, she announced to the world she had had a mastectomy — and just a month after President Ford became President in 1974.  A topic that had long been taboo was suddenly being discussed openly.  It was no longer a “loss of your sexuality” or a something that “was not discussed in polite company.”  It was a disease. A disease that threatened moms, daughters, and sisters. Breast cancer survivors got their first taste of support. How the disease was viewed was changed forever.

As a family member of a breast cancer survivor from that era, I wish to say  thank you, Mrs. Ford.  May you rest in the peace that you brought so many others.