A determined mother of two sets of twins, Lauren Zlotky, bravely pursued her goal of overcoming breast cancer and discovered a newfound commitment to aiding others in their own battles against the illness.
by Julie Taylor | Contributor
When Lauren Zlotky learned that she was expecting twins, she was filled with both surprise and joy. After enduring years of miscarriages and multiple unsuccessful In Vitro Fertilization attempts, she and her husband, Jeff, were finally going to welcome a baby – or rather, two! Just two years later, another unexpected twist awaited her. After such a long journey to have her sons, Ryan and Reid, Lauren was astonished to find out she was naturally expecting yet another pair of twins – this time girls. “They are truly a miracle,” she remarks. “We were overwhelmed but thrilled at the prospect of expanding our family.”
While Lauren was thrilled about the births of her daughters, Kallie and Megan, she harbored significant concerns about managing a household with four young children. One critical insight she’s gained from parenting twins on two occasions is the realization that perfection is unnecessary. “We often obsess over being the perfect parents, and it can be very taxing,” she explains. “In the grand scheme of things, our kids won’t remember if we missed a story time. Focus on what truly matters.”
As her children were growing, Lauren was also managing two businesses – Quest Pro Consultants, an executive search firm, and Q Temps, a temporary agency – both within the insurance sector. After several years balancing work and the demands of family life, Lauren discovered feelings of envy towards her live-in nanny for getting to spend quality time with her kids. “I recognized that it simply wasn’t worth it any longer,” she reflects. “I didn’t want to miss out on their childhood moments, so I sold my businesses.” A year later, after the twins had turned six and three, Lauren faced another unexpected challenge: she received a breast cancer diagnosis at the age of 43.
Upon receiving her cancer diagnosis, Lauren vividly remembers exclaiming to her doctor, “I don’t have time for cancer! I have four children under six! You need to make it go away!” Although breast cancer had affected her family history, Lauren was shocked to hear the news, especially since she had tested negative for the BRCA gene associated with cancer risks. Fortunately, the aggressive cancer was detected early, and over the following year, Lauren underwent chemotherapy, radiation, and finally, surgery. “I had an amazing support system,” she shares. “My husband, his family, my parents, and my brother were incredibly supportive.” Throughout her treatment, her husband Jeff remained a steadfast source of strength. “He kept a calm demeanor during the process, trying to be strong for me. Our positive outlooks surely contributed to the journey,” she notes.
During her treatment, Lauren’s kids were still too young to grasp the gravity of the situation. “Being a mom of four little ones was incredibly helpful during my treatment,” she states. “They occupied my mind and kept me focused on living life as fully as possible.” Now, Ryan and Reid are 14, while Kallie and Megan are 11, and the family remains busy with numerous activities.
Today, Lauren is passionately involved with “Heroes for Children,” a charity dedicated to supporting families with children facing cancer. “The work done by Heroes for Children resonates deeply with me, considering my own experience. I was fortunate not to encounter financial struggles during my treatment, and I want to help families who suffer not only from the challenges of a sick child but also from the economic burden of having one parent leave their job to provide care.”
“I don’t have time for cancer! I have four kids under the age of six!” – Lauren Zlotky
HEROES FOR CHILDREN
Heroes for Children is an organization that advocates for and provides both financial and emotional support to families of children battling cancer, established in memory of Taylor Anne Brewton and Allison “Allie” Leigh Scott, both of whom lost their lives to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Taylor left us at just four years old after a long 11-month battle with cancer. In her honor, Taylor’s family created a non-profit called Taylor’s Angels to offer financial help to families who are facing similar struggles.
Allie, who was only eight months old, passed away after a challenging journey that included three chemotherapy rounds, 80 blood transfusions, and a stem cell transplant for the same condition as Taylor.
In October 2004, Larissa Linton (Taylor’s mother) and Jenny Scott (Allie’s mother) crossed paths shortly after Allie’s passing. They quickly recognized the need for an organization like Heroes for Children after reflecting on the hardships faced by families during their children’s illnesses and the blessings that had come from their communities. They observed that many families were struggling, losing homes and facing financial instability. Consequently, they established Heroes for Children in December 2004 to provide necessary aid and support. “Our mission is that no family with a child battling cancer should ever feel alone.”
For more information or to donate or volunteer, please visit: HeroesForChildren.org.
