Christina Billmire

It was 09/2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic that a new journey begun with my cancer diagnosis. I found a lump in my neck initially with no other symptoms that I had checked. After all the tests the results were cancer squamous cell carcinoma cause by the Human papilloma virus. Stage 1 right tonsil cancer HPV 16+ that spread to lymph nodes in my neck. My world turned a corner along a path that had it challenges. Starting with tonsil removal followed by chemo and radiation.

I am grateful for and blessed knowing that each day is a gift. I am so much more than the bad things that happen to me. I am now in the monitoring phase for my journey, and I hit my 2nd anniversary in remission or re-birth as I now look at life through different lenses. I still have and always will have side effects from treatment.

The only way to survive anything is turning to others and asking for their support and love, with this support we come together as it reminds us how connected we all are. Today years in I still face so many challenges no one ask how I am when it’s over. The Treatment is done, hair grows back, everyone assumes you’re well. They make you feel that it’s important to go to back to the normal way of life. Well, there is no normal life, it a new normal a new discovery finding new ways to cope, live, experience and seeing the remarkable new path that has been put forth to travel. Every day despite everything my heart is fulfilled with Joy and peace for the challenges I face and what I manage my life will become as I continue to grow and live life to the fullest.

I vowed that I would help bring awareness to others about Head and Neck cancers and inform those who have young children to be sure to get them vaccinated for HPV. This incredible initiative with Head and Neck Cancer Alliance is very important to me as a cancer survivor and to help and give back to others.

I would welcome your support by giving to my page. Your gift will assist in furthering the HNCA mission to advance prevention, detection, treatment, and rehabilitation of oral, head, and neck cancer through public awareness, research, advocacy, and survivorship.

Every dollar counts and gets us closer to our goal!

Sincere Thanks for your support,

Christina