From Our Community

October 13 is officially designated as Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) Awareness Day. To give this vital topic the dedicated space it deserves, let’s look beyond the standard pink messaging and talk honestly about what metastatic breast cancer is, why the traditional narrative can feel isolating, and how we can offer true support.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when a wave of pink reminds us to check in on our health and the health of the women we love. While breast cancer is a serious opponent, catching it early completely changes the game. When breast cancer is detected in its earliest, localized stages, the five-year survival rate is incredibly high—reaching nearly 99%.

Every year on September 24, the global medical community observes World Cancer Research Day. It’s a day dedicated to celebrating scientific breakthroughs, clinical trials, and the incredible researchers working to find a cure. But if you look at where the majority of global research funding goes, it naturally flows toward the most common diagnoses—like breast, lung, and prostate cancers. This leaves an entire community of patients navigating uncharted territory.

The initial shock is often described as a "freefall." You are suddenly thrust into a foreign world of oncology shorthand, insurance phone trees, and a future that looks nothing like the one you planned yesterday. But as many survivors and families eventually discover, there is a profound strength to be found in the pivot.

In the world of cancer advocacy, September is a heavy-hitter. It isn't just dedicated to one type of diagnosis; it is actually the official awareness month for five different categories of cancer. To give each of these the spotlight they deserve, let’s look at what September represents, the common warning signs to watch for, and how early detection saves lives.

August is Appendix Cancer Awareness Month. We want to break the silence on this exceptionally rare disease. By learning what it is, why it is so frequently missed, and what the amber ribbon represents, we can help spread vital awareness for the families navigating this unexpected diagnosis.

July is Sarcoma Awareness Month—a time dedicated to shining a light on a collection of rare cancers that are too often under-recognized.

For decades, the "Big Three" of cancer treatment—surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation—were the primary weapons in a doctor's arsenal. While effective, they often felt like using a sledgehammer when a scalpel was needed, affecting healthy cells along with the diseased ones.

As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, we naturally spend more time outside. Ball games, pool days, hikes, rodeos, backyard barbecues. Summer holds some of our sweetest memories. It should not hold preventable diagnoses.

April is widely recognized as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to talk about something many people still feel uncomfortable discussing. But here’s the truth: silence fuels late diagnoses. Awareness fuels prevention. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers with proper screening — yet myths and misconceptions keep too many people from getting checked.

At The Horse of Many Colors, we believe knowledge is not just power—it’s comfort, clarity, and connection. Whether you or someone you love has been touched by sarcoma or bone cancer, we’re here to walk this path with you, sharing helpful information, supportive resources, and gentle encouragement every step of the way.

Surviving cancer is a powerful milestone. But as many survivors will tell you, life after cancer doesn’t mean life goes back to the way it was. It means moving forward—often with new challenges, new priorities, and a renewed perspective. That’s where a survivorship plan comes in.