March is Women's History Month. What a fitting time to stop and remember Carolina Breast Friends' own history and the woman whose dream began everything we have become: our founder Kristy Adams-Ebel.
Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 32, Kristy quickly recognized that part of her ability to cope with the struggle depended on communing with others on the same journey. She understood the importance of being in a positive setting where the focus was on healing, self-exploration, and empowerment through knowledge.
To know Kristy was to experience her positive spirit. Pam Phipps, a CBF board member and one of the first to join Kristy in founding this organization, shares, "Kristy was electric. And she was so genuine. You were immediately drawn to her."
Her husband of 11+ years, Chris Ebel, shares how she met the diagnosis, the surgeries, and the chemotherapy with "the brightest smile you would ever want to see" no matter how sick she was. A coworker of hers once summed up her presence like this: "There are people that impress you and others that touch you, but few ever truly impact you. Kristy was one of those people of impact!"
With such personal capacity for joy and humor, it's no wonder she envisioned a place where those diagnosed with breast cancer can come together for uplift, empowerment, hope, laughter and connection that raises the spirit. It's also no wonder that her dream took wing and is still aloft at the Pink House, where we are serving breast cancer Survivors in the way Kristy envisioned.
Until her death in 2006, Kristy's determination, selflessness, and humor remained as strong as ever. She was . . . and is . . . an inspiration to everyone at Carolina Breast Friends.
As Kristy herself liked to quote, "I walk. I fall down, and in the meantime, I keep dancing."
We at Carolina Breast Friends celebrate Kristy and all of the other amazing women who have been a part of our history and our mission. Let's all keep dancing!
- PJY