needed a safe, “fallback” job. So, I
had my own fashion business on
the side but was always too scared
to really go for it. Dreams don’t pay
the bills, right?
After treatment, you can’t wait
for either one of two things: 1) to
get back to your life, or 2) to start
a new one. Now A.C., something
shifted inside of me. Suddenly, I
realized, “If I could survive cancer,
what can’t I do?” What initially felt
like a death sentence was a sur-
prisingly beautiful gift -- I now had
a second chance at a meaningful,
authentic life. Life was too short to
do things you don’t want to, and I
couldn’t go back.
Now, as a cancerpreneur, trying
to navigate my “new normal,” I am
constantly walking two parallel
tightropes as I balance between
the constant concern of recur-
rence and financial instability as an
entrepreneur. Although I am con-
stantly scared of the unknown, you
eventually get comfortable being
uncomfortable. Finally, I also know
my own value.
Instead of worrying about failure,
I’m more motivated to show oth-
er breast cancer survivors that yes,
there is life AFTER cancer. (Not
all advocacy has to be loud ra-
ras and pink ribbons.) And if my
business is truly successful, what
better example that you cannot
only survive cancer, but you can
THRIVE?
also a harsh reminder of the sever-
ity of cancer; tomorrow is never
promised.)
As the British novelist, Doris Less-
ing, said, “Whatever you’re meant
to do, do it now. The conditions
are always impossible.”
Before Cancer, I was only surviv-
ing. Now…I’m ready to LIVE.
Recently, I learned of the passing
of a dear chemo buddy, who was
such a bright light during a dark
time. I will always be thankful for
the time we had together. (It was
Left: Wearing one of my signature scarves during chemotherapy; Right: At my
first fashion event after my final breast cancer surgery
Rachel Park is a tie designer and founded Rachel Park Designs. During breast
cancer treatment, she founded Survivor Moda and created The ParkPuff™a
portable, stylish, chest-comforting seatbelt pillow for breast cancer patients.
rachelpark.com survivormoda.com
Rachel Park
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