Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Remembering Auntie Marla

Written By: Brittani Stone, MPH, CPhT, Founder/President of A. Rose Nonprofit

Every October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month holds a special meaning for me. Beyond the pink ribbons, awareness campaigns, and conversations about early detection, it reminds me of someone who played an important role in my life and whose name continues to be part of the work I do today.

Her name was Marla Archibald-Rose, but to me, she was simply Auntie Marla.

We shared a special bond, and she was a big part of my childhood. She was funny, loved music, kept up with the latest technology, enjoyed traveling, and loved to grill. She was the auntie who would ride roller coasters with my brother and me, walk through haunted houses, and be right in the middle of the fun. She wasn't the type to sit on the sidelines and watch us make memories. She was making them with us.

Of all her travels, her final trip was taking me to college as I prepared to begin a new chapter of my own. It's a memory I appreciate even more today.

I was 18 when Auntie Marla passed away from breast cancer. In the years leading up to her passing, I remember noticing changes in her health, but I didn't fully understand everything she was experiencing.

As I've gotten older, my understanding of health and healthcare has evolved. What I once viewed primarily through personal experiences; I now see through a broader public health lens. I'vecome to appreciate the importance of health education, prevention, advances in medicine, and the conversations we have about our health.

Through my work in public health, I've come to appreciate how much our health is influenced by factors beyond a diagnosis. Access to quality care, education, financial resources, family support, and the environments we live in all play a role in our health and well-being. These factors become especially important when someone is navigating a serious illness.

That's why I believe breast cancer awareness must go beyond recognizing the disease. It's about helping people understand their breast health, recognize changes, learn about recommended screenings, and feel comfortable having conversations with their healthcare providers and loved ones.

When A. Rose hosted its very first event, Awareness Is Power, we brought together a breast cancer survivor and an oncologist to share their perspectives and provide an opportunity for education and conversation. That commitment continues today through Pink Table Talk, our breast cancer awareness initiative.

For me, creating these spaces is more than sharing information. It's about encouraging questions, learning from lived experiences, and helping people feel more informed and supported in making decisions about their health.

As I reflect during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I think about the many individuals and families whose lives have been touched by this disease. I think about that currently navigating treatment, the survivors, the caregivers, and those remembering someone they've lost.

But when I think about Auntie Marla, breast cancer isn't the first thing that comes to mind.

I remember her laughter, the music, the adventures, and the memories we shared. I remember the auntie who was always ready to join in on the fun and who was there for some of the most meaningful moments of my childhood.

Her life was much bigger than her diagnosis.

This October, I encourage you to have conversations that matter. Learn about your family history, talk with your loved ones, and don't hesitate to ask questions or seek guidance from a healthcare professional.

Because behind every diagnosis is a person with a life, a family, and a story that extends far beyond an illness.

And for me, that person will always be Auntie Marla.