Vera Galan Badge of Courage

This special Badge of Courage is named after breast cancer survivor Vera Galan. Her friend Boo Zamek sent in her story of strength and resilience which can be read below.

Vera Galan

Vera’s soul is gentle and soft, but her personality is colorful and vibrant. The first person in her family ever to be diagnosed with cancer, Vera is a single mother of two and the kind you only meet once. Last February Vera went to Palmetto hospital to be treated for diverticulitis. Two days later she went in for a mammogram, which lead to a biopsy. Doctors had found a six-centimeter malignant tumor in her right breast. On February 28, 2011 she was diagnosed with stage 3A carcinoma breast cancer at Miami’s Baptist Hospital.

Within three weeks she had started chemo. Her surgeon recommended a double mastectomy, which Vera underwent on August 24, 2011. When Vera told her client Letitia (Tish) that she had been diagnosed, Tish jumped into action. Vera stayed at Tish’s home for three weeks. Tish fed her, entertained her, bathed her, dressed her, and literally nursed her back to health. Vera is now back on her feet, still undergoing treatment and enjoying the regrowth of her hair.
Vera’s outlook: “Now I’m saving money not having to go to the beauty salon every month. I love the way rain feels when it falls directly on my head. And I have a beautiful collection of scarves.” Even with Vera’s natural strength and resilience, it’s hard to imagine that she would emerge with such fighting power if not for friends like Tish.

A symbol of strength and beauty, the Vera Galan Badge is a unique gift for anyone diagnosed with breast cancer. Embroidered with blue beaded swirls and surrounded by white cowery shells, it conveys beauty and strength and looks beautiful hanging anywhere. In its center is a delicate, white flower, creating the illusion of a female breast.

This colorful badge has the choice of the following words hand embroidered on the back: FEARLESS (ENG.) or SIN MIEDO (SPAN.) These inspirational words provide support to all those going through breast cancer treatment and those who’ve gone through it.

SIZES: S (3.5” wide x 2.5” high)
            M (4″ wide x 3″ high)
            L (5″ wide x 3″ high)