Mother and Daughter: Teaming Up To Battle Cancer

We’re honoring our powerful bonds with our mothers this week by
shining a spotlight on a dynamic mother-daughter team: Mary Kay Independent
Senior Sales Director Elise Sharpless and her mom, Mary Kay Independent Beauty
Consultant Donna Sanchez.
Mary Kay Ash gave us this timeless thought: “Becoming a mother changes
your life forever. Your responsibility to provide love and care for your child
is a lifetime commitment. No matter how big and strong your child grows, you
never stop being a mother.”
This is so true. Once a mother, always a mother!
But as Donna and Elise learned, life’s tough circumstances sometimes
give us the opportunity to reverse roles and mother the beloved woman who gave
us life.
In March 2015, Donna joined Elise’s unit as an Independent Beauty
Consultant. Mother and daughter were having a great time building their Mary
Kay businesses together—teaming up,
accomplishing their goals and cherishing every minute.
Only six months later, Donna was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her
life changed forever. Cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She underwent
extensive surgery, followed by six months of chemotherapy and then six weeks of
radiation.
Elise stepped up in a big way.
“During my year of intensive treatment, Elise was a constant pillar,”
shares Donna. “She was so strong. She went with me to medical appointments and
interacted with my physicians. After surgery, I moved in for a couple of weeks
with Elise, her husband, Dan, and their two daughters, Ella and Haily. They all
pitched in and took good care of me through treatment.”
Elise explains, “I wanted to be anything and everything I could for my
mom. I took a hard look at what I could give up to be there for her. It was a
big undertaking, yet I realized how fortunate and blessed I was to be able to
spend this time with her.
“Throughout her cancer journey, there were many unknowns, and so much
was out of our control. We anchored ourselves by keeping our goals and visions
in front of us. This gave us stability and helped us stay positive!
“I looked to Mary Kay Ash as a role model for handling life’s
challenges. I read everything I could about her and did my best to emulate her
attitude and strength. What I learned encouraged me to encourage my mom that
she was beautiful and strong.”
While Elise and her family rallied to help Donna, their Mary Kay
family assembled around them with an outpouring of love and generosity. Mary
Kay Independent National Sales Director Cindy Leone and others brought meals.
Mary Kay Independent Senior Sales Director Daryl Pagliuso prayed and sang hymns
while visiting. Independent sales force members from Elise’s Legacy Leaders
unit sent food, cards and notes of encouragement. Mary Kay Independent Beauty
Consultant Jeneene Reduker gifted Donna with a handmade prayer shawl crafted by
women in her church.
“I'm thrilled that Mary Kay fosters a caring community of giving back.
I’m honored to be an Ambassador for The Mary Kay Foundation℠, which is doing
incredibly important work to help eliminate women’s cancers,” says Elise.
Donna adds, “I’m so blessed and appreciative of all the support! I
experienced many answered prayers and miracles. I believe God really provided
for us during my treatment process.
“I’m feeling better now! In January 2017, I was able to increase
momentum for building my business. And though Elise and I already enjoyed a
close relationship, facing cancer together strengthened our bond immeasurably.”
With treatment six months behind her now, Donna has come full circle
on her cancer journey. She is helping other women walk the path she so
intimately knows. Stay tuned to our Friday Features to find out how.
Do you have an
inspiring mother/daughter story to share? Please tell us in the comments below.
Diane Montgomery is a contributing editor for The Mary Kay Foundation℠. She's passionate about supporting the Foundation's mission of ending cancers that affect women and domestic abuse. She celebrates the powerful bonds between women and her close relationship with her mother. Write to her at MsDianeM@aol.com.