The Edge Fitness Clubs is going pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month!💗 We are proud to partner with local charities across every state we are located and to honor this month, we’re sharing one of our own instructor’s inspiring stories. Meet Erin Newman:
"I am currently a Body Pump instructor at the Hamden Edge Club. I've been an instructor for almost 15 years and will have been with The Edge for 6 years this coming January. Since I've been with The Edge, I've participated in Breast Cancer Awareness week each year. The attached picture was taken during last year's Breast Cancer Awareness week in October 2024 (I'm in the middle all black with the breast cancer ribbon tank and socks). I had no idea that I would be diagnosed with breast cancer one month after this photo was taken. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 11/26/24 and had a double mastectomy on 12/20/24. Single handedly the scariest time of my life. I have two young kids and was terrified for what my diagnosis would mean for me, my family, and most importantly my children. Nothing could have prepared me for the chaos that I was about to go through. How could this happen to me? I go to the doctor every year and do all of the recommended testing. I keep myself in shape, eat healthy, and live a healthy lifestyle. I do everything I'm supposed to do! The truth is, cancer does not discriminate. It doesn't matter how healthy you think you are.To help spread awareness:Do I get regular mammograms? ✅Was it found on my last mammogram? ❌Is breast cancer in my family? ❌Do I have the BRCA gene? ❌In my situation, I was my own advocate. I found a lump in between mammograms and went to the doctor. I truly didn't think it was cancer for all of the above reasons, but it was. What would have happened if I waited even longer? It was already in my lymph nodes when I found it. It could have been so much worse if I had waited. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming, life-altering, and surreal all at the same time. Fear sinks it and anxiety takes over. BUT I refused to let it ruin me. I kept going. I continued working my full-time job and started teaching again 6 weeks later (as soon as I had clearance). I did not let it define me, and I let my kids see resilience instead of succumbing to my diagnosis. My diagnosis was not the end of my story, but the beginning of a new chapter. I write this blog to bring awareness, to be your own advocate. Don't ignore symptoms (even small symptoms). Awareness is key and sharing awareness can save someone's life!