Fight For Megan Ralston
Megan grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. She went to VCU in Richmond and played Division 1 field hockey. She earned All-CAA award and was so dedicated to health and fitness. After earning her BIS and Masters of Teaching degree she moved to Washington, D.C. and taught at the National Presbyterian School for two years and taught first grade at McNair ES for two years. Her students and colleagues adored her. Megan was married in 2014 to her husband, John, and they had a baby boy, in 2016. All who know Megan are touched by her generous and kind heart. Megan has a passion for teaching and when her baby boy, Bryce, entered this world Megan was the happiest mommy in the world.
"Just days after my 30th birthday, I was told I have stage 4 breast cancer. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma. At the moment I received that phone call, my whole life changed. My first thought, was how is this me? I'm healthy, young and have NO history of breast cancer in my family? I have a happy, beautiful, busy, 9 month old. I am a mother. It still feels surreal.
In October of 2016, I went to the doctor for a lump I thought was related to breast feeding. They told me it was a blocked milk duct. It grew and became painful. I discovered another lump under my arm shortly after. I returned to the breast center at UVA for ultrasounds, mammograms and biopsies that confirmed I had hormone receptor positive breast cancer.
I am in the 1% of women that get breast cancer in their twenties . If that isn't unusual enough, this is a rare case as it considered a pregnancy related cancer due to hormone shifts. Pregnancy related breast cancer is hard to detect and is aggressive.
Following my diagnosis, I went through 5 cycles of Chemotherapy. I got second and third opinions and went through much more testing at different hospitals.
I fly out to Houston, TX to MDAnderson hospital, top Breast cancer center in the country, for the best care. I am in good hands. This hospital has cutting edge clinical trials, endless resources and specialists who guide my treatment.
I am determined to not only survive but THRIVE. I will live my life, watch my son grow, and will make a difference.
I have been so inspired by the community of people that are involved with breast cancer awareness and found ways to support others going through this journey by creating a nonprofit. Sometimes helping others is healing in itself.
I can't begin to tell you what my family and friends have meant to me especially this past year. I have felt so much love and passion and fight. That is what motivates me to dig in, believe, and be tough.
With God, my family, my friends, my teaching sisters, my Ram family behind me, I know I have the strength to fight this."
-Megan
One year has passed since Megan’s journey has begun, and she has already overcome so much. The money that you graciously donate will go to providing Megan’s family with meals, nanny services for Bryce, home cleaning services, travel, and medical expenses.
Megan needs your tremendous support to fight this battle. No one fights alone! Please let her know that you are thinking of her. Your donations will be greatly appreciated. Your kind words and prayers will be extremely motivating for Megan as she fights with perseverance and grit to beat the disease! Megan’s email: [email redacted]
