Ekvall was crowned Miss Venezuela at age 17 in 2000, and the following year she was third runner-up in the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. She went on to work as a model, actress and television news anchor. She was married and had a two year old daughter.

Eva wrote a book about her experience with cancer called  “Fuera de Foco” (“Out of Focus”) in an effort to raise breast cancer awareness in her country.

On the cover of the book was a portrait in which she appeared with makeup and her head shaved. The book also showed pictures of her while going through chemotherapy.

“I hate to see photos in which I come out ugly,” Ekvall told El Nacional. “But you know what? Nobody ever said cancer is pretty or that I should look like Miss Venezuela when I have cancer.”

Her father, Eric Ekvall, stated  in the book that his mother had died of the same type of cancer at age 39.

There is no good age to die from breast cancer, but 28 is way too young.

Before I read this story this morning I received an email last night from a former student (and good friend) telling about a project she thought I might be interested in. I don’t want to give away the details until I know more, but it involves a fund raising event with the proceeds to go to breast cancer research. I quickly wrote her back and told her I was very interested and I will let you know more about the fund raiser as soon as I can.

My plan was to only do fund raising and blogging about breast cancer in October. That wasn’t God’s plan for me. Breast cancer doesn’t just happen in October. Those that deal with it (like my cousin Martha and my friends Kim, Shannon, and Paulette)  know that once you hear the words “you have cancer,” you think about it every day.

I am not a scientist, nor do I know anything about medical research. I am not a doctor or nurse and I can’t help with healing. But I love to write and if the good Lord wills I can blog about breast cancer to help raise awareness, and I can raise funds for those who can medically assist others.

To anyone reading this who has breast cancer or knows someone who does….do not give up hope! Light a candle, say a prayer, help raise money one penny at a time. Encourage others. Hold hands. Give hugs. Tough times are made easier when we share our burdens.

Thinking of you today and every day at NanaHood!