Intertek Automotive Research, San Antonio, Texas has its own super inspiration for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Syl Stein, our Manager of Client Services, is a 15-year Breast Cancer Survivor. She was scheduled for surgery within two weeks of her diagnosis in 2006, which was followed by chemo and radiation. 

• When asked about her treatment experience, Syl had this to say, “I looked forward to Chemo days, because I got to visit with other survivors and had time to crochet.  I never missed work one single day while undergoing chemo. You must force yourself out of bed and fake it until you make it. I have always believed that work is great therapy and have always received comfort in coming to work each day. I did have to learn how to properly draw on eyebrows without looking surprised or scary to my co-workers!”

Every Day in October, Syl wears pink clothing and Pink Ribbon jewelry in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month and those still fighting the fight.  In fact, her co-workers look forward to the “pink” of the day, be it pink lace, denim heels with pink ribbons, pink patent shoes, pink sweaters, pink dresses, and the ever-present Pink Ribbon pin sometimes worn as a pin and sometimes on a necklace.

Her theme song is Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying” and remarkably she is glad to have gone through the experience, as it made her realize that the petty things in life don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.  Any day you can put both feet on the ground is a good day.

Here at Intertek San Antonio, we wear pink on Fridays, put up decorations and gather for a group photo each year to help bring awareness to early detection and treatment of breast cancer.  Syl is the one in the pink dress. Zoom in and check out the denim heels with pink ribbons.