Laughter is the breast medicine. This was the unofficial name of my mom’s “business,” but it was also the motto our family embraced. Although laughter might seem scarce when cancer is involved, our family always found a way to keep laughing and supporting others through their own battles. I was only 8 years old when my mom broke the news. I should have known something was wrong as I watched my mom shove a pack of frozen peas in her bra upon returning from an appointment (which I later learned was a biopsy) so she could quickly return to her job as a teacher. I remember being called into the backyard after dinner to talk with my parents. They explained to me what breast cancer was and that my mom had been diagnosed. The only question I could think to ask was, “Is she going to die?” Although that might seem a bit dramatic, it was all my 8-year-old brain could comprehend at the time. As my mom underwent a double mastectomy, I saw her coming out of the shower helped by my grandma. Her chest was black, blue, and scarred. It should have scared me, but I skipped out of the room chanting “Boobie Power!” Years before, my family had experience supporting others through battles with breast cancer. My mom’s aunts and then my grandma were diagnosed and underwent various treatment courses. Most of these family members lived far away, so we had to come up with ways to send our love and support from a distance. What better way to bring positivity to the situation than with a little laughter? We started working together as a family to decorate bras. There was a bra for every stage of treatment, every holiday, and some just for fun. We would buy a bra, craft supplies, and get to work. For example, one of my favorites was a bra that said, “grand re-opening” with a ribbon going across and a big pair of foam scissors about to cut the ribbon in the middle. This bra was made for my mom after she healed from her reconstruction surgery. Not only did we make bras for family members, but we also made them for friends going through the same struggle, and sometimes even for complete strangers. The look on their faces was always the same: a smile that turned into laughter! Not only did these bras brighten their days, these women would often take those bras to doctor appointments, chemo treatments, and show them off to friends and family. My family's idea spread laughter and joy to countless families across the country. We transformed what is usually a devastating and challenging topic into something positive and inspiring. Each bra made was a symbol to keep pushing and moving forward. Facing a challenge as significant as cancer is no easy task. However, amidst the stress and uncertainty, with the help of my family, I found ways to not only overcome but to embrace the kindness shown to me and continue to pass it along to others who need it. The greatest gift we can give one another is kindness and laughter…the breast medicine.