Inspiring Story of Resilience, Dedication, and Love: A Message from Anna, Cancer Caregiver and Founder of KickItPajamas
This month we want to share an incredibly inspiring story of resilience, dedication, and love. Anna Shuford, the cofounder of KickIt Pajamas, describes her journey as a caregiver to both of her parents who battled cancer.
A Daughter's Unwavering Love and Support: Anna's Story
At just 22 years old, Anna Shuford received news that would change her life forever. Her mother was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), and Anna, on the brink of her college graduation, took on the role of one of her primary caregivers. For the next six months to a year, Anna watched her mother fight with immense courage, undergoing a bone marrow transplant and facing numerous obstacles along the way.
Anna's dedication and love for her mother, who eventually went into remission, shone brightly during this challenging period. However, fate had more challenges in store for Anna and her family. Within a few years, her father was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, a diagnosis that caught everyone by surprise, as both her parents were incredibly healthy.
Anna, alongside her brother and her mother, became a pillar of strength in her father's care. The family battled this cruel disease together, supporting one another through thick and thin. But in 2008, just five years after her mother's initial diagnosis, both of Anna's parents passed away within a heartbreaking five months of each other. It was a devastating loss that left Anna and her brother, still quite young, grappling with profound grief.
They lost their parents during a time when their parents were everything in their lives, and the trauma from this loss still weighs heavily on their hearts.
From Loss to Inspiration: KickItPajamas
Fast forward to 2020, Anna co-launched KickItPajamas, a business venture that would prove to be serendipitous and deeply meaningful. While Anna knew she couldn't cure cancer, she believed KickItPajamas could make a difference in the lives of those who were battling this terrible disease.
Fast forward to 2020, Anna co-launched KickItPajamas, a business venture that would prove to be serendipitous and deeply meaningful. While Anna knew she couldn't cure cancer, she believed KickItPajamas could make a difference in the lives of those who were battling this terrible disease.
At KickIt, we work together to provide women facing cancer with a sense of security and comfort during their tremendous battles. But what truly unites the KickIt team is our ability to enjoy each other's company and find laughter even in the face of adversity. As Anna's mother taught her long ago, it's essential to have a sense of humor and the ability to navigate tough times with laughter.
Anna's heartfelt message is a reminder that while we may not be able to eradicate cancer entirely, the end goal at KickItPajamas is to contribute meaningfully to ridding the planet of this devastating disease.