Rebecca Grella is not one who shies away from a challenge. So, when the dedicated high school teacher and doctoral student in ecology and evolution found out she had breast cancer, she knew she couldn't give up. Instead, she said, it was the "got-to-win Lance attitude" that allowed her to fight back and beat breast cancer, not once, but twice, and to emerge as a source of empowerment to others with the disease one bracelet at a time.
It wasn't long before Grella felt the need to share her strength with other people. "The camaraderie that revolved around a simple band empowered me and allowed me to empower others," she said.
Her cancer also meant facing radiation and chemotherapy twice in two years. She described the spousal and family support that kept her strong. "things like watching silly movies, waking up looking like my Dalmatian and silly antics that Gabrielle [Rebecca's wife] did, got me through the lows of chemotherapy," she said. They also created a "shopping Friday" where they would go to the mall and buy fun clothing after chemotherapy. "Unfortunately, the insurance did not cover our shopping sprees," Grella said.
When she began chemotherapy, she decided to give each of her high school students LIVESTRONG bands. "I saw the flood of yellow bands across the globe when I visited Canada, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the U.K. They were like spectators cheering you on in a race," she said. "When I saw those bracelets I felt like I was not alone, but had a crowd pushing me from behind. I felt like I was chasing the yellow jersey."
They talked openly about hope, fear and empowerment. "Lance's vision of empowerment was in that band and I embodied it," Grella said. She wore her own bracelet for a year. She also carried around several that she gave to people in treatment rooms.
Just a few months ago, she gave her last bracelet away. It was hers; the one she wore during her battle with cancer.
Her recovery has made it possible for her to take on new things in life. She recently started training for the New York City Marathon and is finishing her PhD in biology. Most importantly, she feels like she's living a stronger, happier life. "I live in the moment, I enjoy everything. I experience frustrations just like everyone else, but I don't sweat the small stuff," she said.
Each day, she writes more, runs more, trains more and works to find peace. She also reaches out to the LIVESTRONG community.
"I feel that the day-to-day interaction I have with community members on LIVESTRONG makes me capable of climbing any mountain and surpassing any obstacle in my path," she said.
"Don't let darkness in. Fear is in your head. If you can clear your mind of fear you can actually find peace in the process," Grella said, about the advice she would give others facing difficulties in their lives.
She described her therapist who used to speak of the peace that can be found in cancer. Although she didn't understand then, she now urges other to do the same. "The biggest peace is the peace we get to give back to others who need our help. When you truly LIVESTRONG there is peace?to LIVESTRONG is to LIVE PEACE."
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