WOMAN OF THE YEAR #MYWHY
Gianna Traina
SHE IS MY WHY .
Recently I was nominated for Woman of the Year through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Woman of the Year candidates across the country compete in honor of a local boy and girl who are blood cancer survivors, to raise the most funds for blood cancer research. Every dollar counts as one vote, and the titles are awarded to the woman with the most votes at the end of the campaign. As soon as I found out I was nominated the first thing I thought was I have to do this, I have to win, and I have to do this for Gianna. So I am happy to announce that Gianna and I will be running for Woman of the Year in an attempt to raise at least $130,000. This money will be used to fund LLS’s mission which is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world, provides free information and support services, and is the voice for all blood cancer patients seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care.
You can’t really imagine what it’s like to have a family member diagnosed with cancer until you’ve experienced it. It’s heartbreaking, its completely gut wrenching, debilitating and quite frankly depressing as hell. Unfortunately it’s happened to me far more than I would care to admit. In my 29 years on the this earth I have stood beside the people closest to me as they fought their battles. Both of my grandfathers, my grandmother, my two uncles and my little cousin Gianna.
Cancer is the six letter word that changes EVERYTHING. No matter what, who, or when it’s never an easy word to hear but hearing that diagnosis when it comes to a child? An innocent, pure, and full of life two year old… well that can send chills throughout your soul. Kids aren’t supposed to have to deal with stuff like this. Kids are supposed to get to enjoy their childhood, they’re not supposed to feel pain and fear that cripples even the strongest and oldest of men. They shouldn’t have to worry about getting ports put in, or medicine that makes their insides sting, they shouldn’t have to cry out in pain why nurses and doctors try to figure out the best course of treatment. I could go on and on about how Cancer changes everything, luckily most people can’t even begin to imagine or relate and honestly I hope you never have to.
Now that you understand #mywhy let me tell you a little more about Gianna. Gianna is the most amazing little girl. She is sweet, polite, witty, has an old soul that warms your heart, and is smart/wise beyond her years but as I write this, Gianna is fighting one of the toughest battles there is … Leukemia. This isn’t Gianna’s first encounter with this disease either. Gianna, who we call Gigi for short has been through this battle before, gigi was diagnosed when she was just two years old and immediately after being diagnosed her and her entire family spent 965 days fighting the fight. She withstood so much and through it all our family was lucky enough to hear the words remission.
Gianna at her “LUCKY” party in March after reaching remission.
Once she reached remission we thought the worst was over, it was a really tough road but she fought the battle and she won…. unfortunately, Cancer isn’t that simple.
Last Saturday Gianna was brought into the ER complaining of pain and what happened next none of us could have ever prepared for... Gigi’s cancer was back.
I’ve spent the last few days with Gigi and her family who I am so so close with. Her mom Rose and her Dad Anthony are my cousins and quite frankly some of the strongest people I know. They have five girls, Anna and Victoria who if anyone knows me knows the love I have for those girls, they are 17 year old twins and they are the most amazing young ladies. Then there is Ava who is one of the middle girls along with Gianna. Ava is 9 and a great big sister to the two littles and last but certainly not least is Angelina, a fierce, sassy, 3 year old that is truly something else.
Thru spending time with them and talking about life, her treatment course and the pain associated with this news before the holiday I couldn’t be more motivated to truly make a difference. $130.000 isn’t a small goal but THIS little girl, and THIS family, and THIS mission is a part of me and for the next six months I am hoping you will help me. I hope you will make a monetary donation to our goal. I hope you will share our mission with your family, friends, and sphere of influence, I hope you will encourage other people you meet to donate and contribute, and most of all/most importantly I hope you keep Gianna and her family in your prayers as they navigate this journey again through the holiday season.
