Beth Porreca is a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who has spent five minutes in her presence would agree. The ultimate boss lady.
I was introduced to Beth in 2011 when I joined a company in Baltimore where she was the Director of Events. Since meeting her, Beth has become a friend, a mentor, a teacher and so much more.
Beth is also mom. Not in the traditional sense; she doesn’t have kids. But she has adopted everyone who’s important in her life: coworkers, friends, family, her niece. Beth takes care of everyone. I could leave for a work trip and not bother to read the diatribe of details that she prepared, because I know she'd be there taking care of us every step of the way.
Beth and I both left Baltimore last year, me for Denver and her for Indianapolis. Since we keep in touch constantly, when she called me on New Year’s Day to catch up I was shell-shocked to learn she’d been diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. I pulled over on the side of the road and cried. As usual, she was the calm one, supporting me instead of the other way around. But I knew from the second she shared the life shattering news, Beth would not only kick cancer to the curb, but everyone that she'd taken care of would be there for her along the way. I am happy to say I was not wrong.
Beth has now completed six rounds of chemo and has undergone a double mastectomy and removal of her ovaries. However, she still faces many challenging days ahead until she is officially cancer free.
I bought Beth the “Strength” bracelet because she truly embodies the word. Throughout this arduous journey, she’s been the strongest person I can imagine. She never played victim. From the beginning she was aggressive - with her treatment, and with her "Fuck Cancer" attitude.
The Giving Keys is a reminder of the strength we have given each other. And I hope it’s a daily reminder to her of what a force in this world she is, because she is likely to forget her own power. We call her honey badger for a reason.
-Colleen
