About
Britta Aragon
The Cinco Vidas Blog was started by Britta Aragon, cancer survivor and founder of CINCO VIDAS INC. Cinco Vidas is a lifestyle brand of products and services that focuses on enhancing the way we live with cancer and ultimately, survive it. The company was created after Britta went through a second experience with the disease – this time, her father’s diagnosis of colon cancer.
Cancer has a way of changing lives in a second. People become overwhelmed, confused and somehow robbed of their identities. “Who am I? What do I need to do now? What about my loved ones? Can I handle all this?” These are some of the questions that come to mind, and there’s not much time to think, plan or reflect between diagnosis and treatment. The side effects quickly arise at every level – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. There’s no instruction manual on how to handle it all, especially the myriad of feelings that accompany the experience. Sometimes the only thing that helps is to know that others care and understand.
On these pages, readers will find the first company project to come into existence – “The Beauty of Cancer Survival” Blog. This blog is Britta’s way to bridge the gap between the doctor’s office and everyday living. It is a forum through which she hopes to communicate the way she and her father lived through their cancer, learned from it and survived it. Articles on nutrition, toxins in our environment, holistic therapies, natural and organic beauty care, personal growth, non-toxic skincare, and more will be available for reading and comment. An expert panel from around the nation – individuals who have helped many people living with cancer – will be answering questions and delivering valuable information and solutions. Amazing non-profit organizations committed to supporting and encouraging all travelers on this journey are listed on the Cancer Partners Page. The hope is that the fighter, survivor and caregiver use the Cinco Vidas Blog to find information, resources, share experiences and gather encouragement and knowledge from the published posts.
Britta is 34 years old, happily married and living in New York City.
FOUNDER’S NOTE
My first experience with cancer came when I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 16. Back in 1992, the “C” word was rarely mentioned, spoken only in whispers or behind closed doors. Fortunately, I was young, and as they say, ignorance is bliss. I wasn’t aware of the severity of the disease. To me, I was sick, but I was going to get better. There was no doubt. After all, I wanted to be with my friends, go to the mall, and feel well enough to do all the other things teenagers do. Little did I know this positive outlook would play a big part in helping me heal.
The doctors prescribed one year of chemotherapy and radiation. However, I had to undergo only 5 months of chemotherapy – and no radiation! I remember my doctor’s surprise as he watched my progress. Back then, I thought it was one of the best times in my life. Encouragement flowed from my family, friends, and my friends’ parents. I was so focused on getting better, my cells seemed to listen to my commands.
After that experience, I realized life is a precious gift, and can be taken away in the snap of a finger. It made me a stronger person, and I know it helped develop my free spirit and positive outlook on life. I now believe that no matter what happens, I can trust it will turn out all right. My experience with cancer gave me this strength, and thankfully so, for 10 years later, I had to call on it to help me get through cancer once again – only this time, with someone I dearly loved.
My late father, Javier Aragon, and I
In 1999, my father – Javier Aragon – was diagnosed with colon cancer. Though concerned, I was optimistic, for my dad was full of strength and confidence. As time went by, he had recurrences in his liver, lungs, bones and brain. He went on to beat the cancer four times in 8 years, and I grew more and more amazed at his strength, determination and faith. He became a role model and an inspiration to everyone around him. Unfortunately, in May 2007, the cancer returned for a fifth time – with a vengeance – and he passed away on August 7, 2007.
My father touched so many people with his enduring spirit and positive attitude that he forever changed many lives – most assuredly, my own. I remember while he was going through the treatment, I would talk with him, sharing this experience we had in common. We felt grateful to our cancer community for all they had done to help us. We wanted to give back, but didn’t know how.
Meanwhile, I witnessed all the side effects the chemotherapy and radiation had on my father’s skin, hair and nails. Having a skincare and makeup-artistry background, I started to research these side effects. I discovered very few products that would help and the ones that did were fully loaded skin irritants and carcinogens. I dove into the research, and soon found something else: There weren’t very many resources that really targeted the dermatological side effects of cancer therapies. I searched for community forums that delivered information on taking care of these side effects or that discussed the toxic overload in most of our personal products. I discovered very little information and a lot of confused cancer patients that did not know what to use on their skin, hair and body.
When my father passed on, it dawned on me that my purpose was to fill this gap. I realized I wanted to share all the ways my father had coped with his challenges and still lived his best life while surviving this disease. I wanted to deliver the information and tools to be able to deal with all the side effects. This is when Cinco Vidas was born.
Why the name, “Cinco Vidas?” It means “five lives” in Spanish. Since my heritage is Mexican, the Spanish had a particularly meaningful ring. Five times my father endured cancer, and five times he renewed his commitment to life. The number five is also the number for harmony and balance, and is found on the human body in many ways – five senses, five fingers and five toes. It represents balance, is a symbol of the universe (we are all connected), and signifies perfection in the Mayan culture. Chinese medicine has five elements to it. All these connections reflect all that my father is and what his journey meant to me. He is the man with five lives who left behind a huge legacy. Cinco Vidas exists in his honor.
My father’s experience has forever changed my life and I’m now committed to transforming the way we see cancer. No matter what shoes we’re walking in – fighter, survivor or caregiver – we can still learn from it, survive it, and along the way, find our best lives.