Jan Florea

Jan FloreaYou will find a brightly-lit path leading to my home! I have an obsession for lights, as did my father. My yard, hot tub, hallways and patio reflect a bright and festive glow every season of the year. Those who surround me would tell you it resembles the light in my life and my love for laughter, family and friends. My name is Jan Florea. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, partner, friend, co-worker, neighbor and a breast cancer survivor. It is one of many things I am.

Breast cancer runs in my family as my mother and two cousins are also breast cancer survivors. There are good friends from my youth who have lost their lives to breast cancer over the years. They are always in my thoughts and in my heart. Everyone's experience is unique and is often described as a journey. Each journey leads down a different path. My journey began six years ago and resulted in a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy. It was not the first time I was diagnosed with cancer as I've had skin cancer. Following my breast cancer treatment, I had a thyroidectomy and I was diagnosed with a rare bone condition called Paget's Disease. Paget's is a chronic and incurable metabolic bone disease that involves bone destruction over time.

As a native Coloradan, I grew up in Longmont where both my mother and father worked at the sugar factory for many years. This year, June 7, 2008, will mark my 30th year as an employee of Poudre Valley Hospital. I am a team leader and radiologic technologist in the operating room. I have always been dedicated to my career, my colleagues and our patients.

I have many passions in life which I approach with joy and enthusiasm. Breast cancer has awakened my conviction to living in the moment and living every moment to it's fullest. Many months of the year you will find me camping or boating at Horsetooth, working in the yard or on home improvement projects. My friends fondly refer to me as "Fairway Janie" on the golf course and I've been known to ride a motorized pink cooler or my cruiser bike around a block or two! I get much joy and strength from the relationships in my life and am honored to be one of the celebrated survivors of the first Fun Fund event.

We have a saying in our home "Live, Love, Laugh". I hope you'll join me!

Jan Florea