Story
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Adore Your Buds began as a way for everyone, from anywhere, to understand breast cancer on a different level, and reject the stigma that many individuals may associate with having the disease. As a social media-based project demystifying the nuances of breast cancer through the camera lens, the voice, and the shared words, we should all walk towards the experience, and walk away with a new sense of pride, just as flower buds embrace sunlight and water in order to grow into a beautiful flower. However, it began with a story:
Fall 2022
Miki was a freshman in high school when the doctor called her mother at 8 p.m., (a time of day when a doctor's call rarely brings good news). As Miki was at home finishing homework, her parents were at back-to-school night. At the time, she had no idea her mom had received a breast cancer diagnosis and had chosen to carry it alone rather than share it immediately. While Miki worked through school assignments or needing Mama to drive her to-and-fro, her mother had also drove herself to-and-fro from appointments, for a lumpectomy, radiation therapy, and regular check-ups. She went through each stage of treatment without telling her. Miki only learned the truth after the process was complete. Learning this after the fact reshaped how she saw her family and herself. Grief did not arrive during the active treatment, but afterward, when she realized how much had been hidden from her, there was a growth of fearful and unsure feelings of how to process the lack of control. Over time, she discovered that speaking openly about what had happened allowed her to make sense of it. She began asking questions, not only about her mom’s diagnosis but also about how people adapt when their lives are disrupted. In addition to personal digging and research on the nuances of the disease, she wanted to understand how people keep going when stability is lost and how frightening experiences can be given meaning. These questions marked the beginning of Adore Your Buds.
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Winter 2023
Adore Your Buds was created to tell breast cancer stories clearly and honestly, and to spread the word of the disease's prevalence. The project is not limited to medical terms or statistics but focuses on the lived experiences of those affected. It considers what happens after treatment ends, such as the hesitation that arises before routine appointments and the changes that continue long after recovery. At AYB, the stories are what is central; these come from survivors, from loved ones who provided support, and from families who carry the memory of those who did not survive. The goal is to present these experiences with accuracy and respect in order to show the full reality of breast cancer.
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Onward
In 2024, AYB was formally established as a platform for expression and reflection. Its purpose is to document breast cancer through personal accounts and different media, whether written, spoken, or visual. By encouraging openness and connection, AYB creates a space where these stories can be shared and recognized. The project works to make breast cancer awareness more accessible by focusing on people and their experiences. It also highlights the role that younger generations, including Gen Z and Gen Alpha, can play in spreading awareness. AYB continues with the belief that every story matters and to understand the impact of it starts with sharing them.