My name is Ryan Keys-Mathews, and I am proud to be a part of the Tigerlily Foundation (Tigerlily) as a voice of inspiration, hope, information and empowerment to men dealing with the issue of breast cancer.

This disease has become a plague on our society. It changes the lives of anyone it touches. According to the American Cancer Society, about 178,480 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in 2007. About 40,460 women will die from the disease this year. Right now there are slightly over 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated for breast cancer. For every one of those women touched by breast cancer, the life of a man connected with her is changed as well – her husband, boyfriend, father, son, nephew, brother or friend. We recognize that men get breast cancer too and need to have resources to deal with breast cancer – whether it has affected you physically or someone you care about.

Men need to have a place ask questions. They need to be able to talk. They need to know how to support the women that they love. They need a place to go if they are scared. Tigerlily wants to help.

You may ask yourself what makes me an authority on this subject and wonder how I could offer anything other than a donation to help this cause. The answer is this - my life too, was touched by breast cancer. My existence echoes the courage of a woman so brave, and so touching that it changed my life forever.

Sandra entered my life as a future mother-in-law, exuding charm and an incredible zest for a woman of 65. She was on the brink of retirement, moving into those golden years of celebrating life, love, and family. That year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The disease consumed her in less than six months. What touched me during this time was her inner strength. Sandra always kept her dignity.

Sandra and I spent many hours contemplating the whys and the how of her diagnosis. Her amazing daughter and I, along with their family, cared for her, and supported her from the beginning to the end. Through chemo, radiation, blood transfusions, and eventually hospice we never let her fight alone. Even though Sandra lost her battle to breast cancer, her fortitude gave me a glimpse of how fragile, yet how strong a woman can be. Women rock! As Sandra lay there, hooked up to tubes, she still worried about her family, dispensed advice and tried to care for us, even though she was the one needing to be cared for. What incredible spiritual fortitude this woman had, even as her body was letting go. When she died, Sandra knew she had fought hard; she was at peace. Before she died, I promised Sandra I would tell her story and be a voice for and support to men.

Where did I get my strength to add any support to someone in her condition? I myself was diagnosed with cancer in 2003, and fought my own battle with this disease. I share this with you, not as a medal of honor, but as a story of encouragement for others who are affected every day.

My hope is that the men involved with anyone in a similar situation can look to others like my-self as a resource, as an inspiration, for strength. Men have a powerful role as pertains to women in their lives affected with breast cancer. Your reaction and interaction with the women you love can make or break her morale and healing. As a father, son, husband or friend, it is vital to provide direction, strength, support, caring, and most of all LOVE!

I, Ryan Keys-Mathews, offer my assistance to you; whether you need someone to talk to, a resource in your local area or information about breast cancer. I look forward to supporting Tigerlily Foundation, and to helping men affected by breast cancer.