“My biggest fear is I guess a legacy not being finished. I wanted to be able to say I left something not only for this generation, but for the next generation.”

LEAH CHRISTOFORIDIS’S STORY

As a mother of four kids, I’m used to juggling multiple jobs at once. I coach multiple sports, volunteer at their schools, and also work as a patent attorney.

While I’m always busy and trying to prepare for what’s around the corner, I was not ready for what happened during my last pregnancy. Towards the end of my pregnancy, I started experiencing excruciating pain in my back. Eventually, after giving birth to my youngest, I found out I had a rare type of kidney cancer.

From the outside looking in, I know my life can seem overwhelming. Between my family, career, cancer, and everything else, it looks chaotic. But to me, it’s all about perspective.

The portrait is similar to my life in Chicago; there are a million and one things going on. From the street level it’s crowded, messy, and easy to feel swallowed up. But from a higher level, where I am, I can see things differently.

While I don’t know how my life will unfold, I find beauty in the uncertainty, and I find beauty in watching things, that are most important to me, build themselves up around me. When I was first diagnosed, I was afraid of what would happen next, but I’ve had the opportunity to see my children grow and thrive.

I’ve also seen my passions shift and grow as well. I now work as a kidney cancer advocate, which has exposed me to a whole community of people who understand the challenges that come with cancer. We elevate each other, and provide support to one another in challenging times, all while pushing for change and a cure.

With the strength of my family, the network that I’ve built from advocating for those with kidney cancer, and an optimistic mindset, I’ve made it here to where I am today. While I know how easy it can be to feel overwhelmed by all that has happened, I am thankful to have seen so much growth in my life and to have the perspective I do.