Meet Dillan, November’s SMOV Survivor

Last year, my mom and I were diagnosed with breast cancer five months apart from each other. In July, I began supporting her journey, and by December, I was walking alongside her on my own path. The last several months have been filled with emotional and physical challenges, and reminders of plans we’ve made but not yet carried out. It has always been a dream of ours to travel to Italy and bask in the Tuscan sun. We often fantasize about the rich architecture, culture, and cuisine, and know just what pasta dish we would like to try first. To be in each other’s company through beautiful Italian towns is an ultimate goal.

In recent months, life has felt paused by a plethora of upcoming appointments, procedures, and recovery times. Finding your footing after finishing cancer treatments is not easy. I often feel unsteady and a little unsafe in my own skin. In turn, I have an increased level of appreciation for life’s quieter moments. It feels freeing and empowering to be submitting an application for an opportunity that can bring excitement, adventure, and peace back into our lives. We hope to be able to realize our dream bucket list vacation. Mom and I would be elated to explore Italy together after everything we have been through. They say life is full of surprises and we never expected a surprise quite like this one but on a positive note, we could re-frame this experience through Send Me On Vacation and have it end on a happy note!

Thank You, Dillan

Related: Meet Kathryn, October’s SMOV Survivor

A Special thanks to Sponsor: Women’s Council of Realtors, Las Vegas

Send Me on Vacation’s mission is

“To Provide a much-needed vacation to underserved women with breast cancer who need a place to rejuvenate and heal their body, mind, and spirit.” The adverse effects of fighting cancer can leave women, their families, and friends in shambles. We believe that an essential first step in surviving the effects of breast cancer is to provide survivors with a healing vacation to “take a break” from the fight. If interested in becoming a recipient, donor or sponsor please contact us at backuscathy@gmail.com www.sendmeonvacation.org