The One Thing Almost Every Woman I Met at Maine’s Tri for a Cure Told Me

I wasn’t at the starting line for this year’s Tri for a Cure, but I was there the day before, for Expo day and honestly, that’s where I found the heart of the event. Why? Because I was able to talk to the women and have the time to listen to their stories before racing the next day.  

Being at Southern Maine Community College was inspiring, emotional, and something I won’t forget. I met so many incredible women who were preparing for the race, but what stayed with me were their stories. 

As I talked with women about breast health, one thing surprised me, shocked me in fact, many shared that they didn’t have a family history of breast cancer.

In fact, most of the woman I spoke to told me they had never had anyone in their family diagnosed. 

This is based on my personal experience and the conversations I had with the women I met.

What stood out to me was hearing so many women share that they did not have a family history, which was a powerful reminder that breast cancer can affect anyone and that knowing your body and speaking up matters.

Many also said they had received normal mammograms before eventually finding out something was wrong. 

The thing that pushed them to keep going?

They knew their own bodies. They trusted that little voice telling them something wasn’t right. 

That’s the message I took home with me and kept inside of my mind. 

Ladies, get checked.

Make the appointment. Go to your screenings.

And if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it. Advocate for yourself again and again and again and again and again, you get the drift. 

Before the Expo, I had been putting off making an appointment for myself. After hearing these women, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. Because the truth is, so many of us spend our lives taking care of everyone else, but we have to take care of ourselves, too. 

The 19th annual Tri for a Cure raised a record-breaking $2.2 million for the Maine Cancer Foundation according to WMTW, bringing thousands of women together for a powerful day of strength and hope. 

But for me, the greatest takeaway was the women who reminded me that listening to yourself could save your life. 

Read More: Maine's Best Gas Station Pizza Spots, According To Locals

So consider this your reminder from a girlfriend: get checked, then get checked again.

And if your gut is still telling you something, keep going. Your voice matters, most.