When I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer in 2004, I was already facing some challenges: I was a single mom working as a substitute teacher. I couldn’t work full-time because I was responsible for taking my two children—who were 11 and 9 at the time—to school and the ride was one hour each way. So when I received my diagnosis, I thought, “And this, too?” I was shocked. Of course, my first concern was for my children. I knew I needed help, so I turned to my friends; one of them took me under her wing and introduced me to HOA. Here, cancer wears a face, and not a number.