I’m Deborah Garland, 52 yrs old and I live in Paradise Valley, AZ. I am the mother of two amazing children, Sarah, 11; and Jake, 12. I am a yoga teacher, designer, artist, healer, educator, and student of life. On my path I have had several careers including elementary school teacher, corporate education director, interactive video designer, and creator/owner/manufacturer of a yoga lifestyle apparel company. I feel blessed to have arrived at this moment in time.

Throughout my journey, cancer has significantly impacted many beings very dear to me. My beloved mother, Gloria died of liver cancer in 1990. It was a prolonged, painful process for her and for our family and caregivers as the cancer spread and eventually consumed her body. As her body succumbed to the disease process, her spirit and amazing radiant heart never weakened. Her sense of humor, her love and concern for everyone else, and her unbelievable strength throughout the last months of her life demonstrated how the human spirit is programmed to survive through the most impossible of circumstances. She was a living example of keeping a joyful perspective… no matter what.

My sister, Angie is a breast cancer survivor. As she endured debilitating radiation and chemotherapy treatments while raising two young children; her husband, Mike, their extended family and community worked closely together to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support. Angie is now cancer-free, and is getting stronger every day. Her commitment to community, friends and family is an inspiration.

As we experience massive changes on our planet, our communities, and personal lives, the limitless potential of our human spirit endures. It is my hope that through our collective energies we can assist those on the front lines of the battle against cancer and eventually increase the vibrancy and radiance of our human cellular structure to make us all resilient and immune to this disease.