Also A Survivor

Also A Survivor is a T-shirt company created by a cancer survivor for cancer survivors, their friends and families. Diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2003, Heather Pawinski’s identity changed. She no longer thought of herself as a healthy young woman, wife or healthcare professional, she was now a cancer patient. After all her treatment she reached the level that all cancer patients strive for: Survivor! As a survivor there are so many people that you can now identify with, so many ways to be proud of what you have been through and countless things to buy to let the world know that you are a survivor. You are now part of a special group of people who have survived cancer. Heather has pink everything. Not only as a source of personal pride, but to let other survivors know that she is one of them and understands the challenges cancer presents. After a few years of healing, emotionally and physically, Heather came across an ad for the Danskin Triathlon series benefiting breast cancer. Inspired by the photos of other survivors swimming, biking and running, Heather decided that this is something that she wanted to do. If she could beat cancer, she could certainly do this. It was this newfound identity, combined with a letter to a fellow cancer survivor that led to Also A Survivor. In this letter Heather expressed that it is not cancer that defines who you are and told her friend, “You are what makes your life, not cancer.” However, Heather found that with as many things that could be purchased to express that she is a cancer survivor, she found nothing to express that she was so much more than just a cancer survivor, thus Also A Survivor was born. The rest is not history, but rather today’s reality. Heather participates in triathlons, 5ks, 10ks and an occasional half marathon whenever she can. Moving beyond the cancer related “titles” of her past; Heather now proudly proclaims that she is a triathlete, a runner, a wife, a healthcare professional….and also a cancer survivor. Also A Survivor was created by one woman who was looking for a t-shirt that told the world who she was. Now it’s your turn to tell the world who you are! Also A Survivor creates T-shirts with a personal message of who you are on the front and on the back, lets the world know you are Also A Survivor!