Every time the Olympic Games roll around, P&G honours both the athletes competing in the events and the moms that sacrificed so much to make their children’s dreams come true, both with amazing sponsorships and a moving commercial in honour of mothers everywhere. Watching the inspirational videos dedicated to the hard work of the moms never fails to make me tear up, and this year is no exception.
I have to say, though, that I think this year the video touched me even more than usual, because my mom has been going through one of her toughest battles to date. She’s always been an epitome of strength to me, raising five children on her own and making numerous sacrifices to ensure our happiness. But over the last year, she’s shown her strength even more in a battle against breast cancer.
Hearing the words come out of her mouth just over six months ago was heartbreaking. Her mother, my grandmother, died of breast cancer when I was just a preschooler, so the diagnosis struck immediate fear into my heart. The treatment was a mastectomy and a test done on a sample of lymph nodes to see if the cancer had spread. We were all hopeful that the test would come back clean and the mastectomy would be the end of it.
Sadly, our hopes weren’t realized. The tests showed cancer in the lymph nodes and my mom began chemotherapy shortly after. Initially she found the treatments bearable but in the final months, a severe bitterness in the mouth and intense muscle pain had her fighting to make it through the weeks following her treatments. Yet through it all, she battled on and even found the energy to write and share her experience with others both in the newspaper she edits and online. Now, with chemotherapy ended just over a month ago, she’s already making plans to host a big family gathering for my sister’s grad at the end of the month.
Her strength is a constant inspiration and a reminder to me to always strive and give my all, even when life seems impossibly hard. And when I watch the P&G Thank You, Mom commercial, I’m thinking about my mom’s strength as the tears come to my eyes. Without the support of my mom, I wouldn’t be where I am today. And there’s no question in my mind that without the support of their mothers, most of our amazing Canadian Olympians wouldn’t be where they are today either.
Over the next few months, I’ll have the chance to share stories from some of the Olympians that will be competing in Rio this year, including my personal favourites, the best friends and Canadian divers known as the FAB IV. These four women exude confidence, energy and happiness in everything they do, and their light-hearted spirit is an inspiration both in and out of the water. I can’t wait to watch them in Rio and it’s no surprise to me that all four of the divers say they wouldn’t be where they were without their mothers.
If you haven’t watched the touching tribute to mothers from P&G, be forewarned that you’ll probably shed a few tears when you do! The reminder of just how much our mothers have helped us become the people we are is sure to affect everyone, whether athlete, sports fan or not. Watch it for yourself and get ready to tune in to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games to cheer on our Canadian athletes. But first, don’t forget to take a few minutes to let your mom know just how much you appreciate all she’s done for you. I know that I’ll never stop learning from my mom’s strength, no matter how old I get!
jan says
June 29, 2016 at 2:03 pmSo much dedication to not just the athletes, but all of those involved with them as well.
Lynda Cook says
June 29, 2016 at 5:56 pmThe mothers do a lot more than what anyone thinks, they keep everything together and travel with their star and cheer them on, and there to lean on!!
Carole Dube says
June 30, 2016 at 12:06 amBeautiful video, so touching! As a mother we do a lot for our children and in another word we are their biggest fan and we support them in whatever they want to accomplish!
Debbie White Beattie says
June 30, 2016 at 1:12 amWhat a great story and I’m so glad your mother is ok. Mothers have the strength to help us get through the worst times and thankfully as women we get our strength from our mothers and from the generations before them.
Florence C says
June 30, 2016 at 6:35 amIt takes a lot of hard work and dedication on both the parts played by the althete and the mom. I will be cheering on all Canadians during the Rio games.
Cheryl says
June 30, 2016 at 7:14 amSuch a sweet video
Stephanie LaPlante says
June 30, 2016 at 8:33 amThis is incredibly sweet!
DORIS HUMBER says
June 30, 2016 at 9:28 amThis is so nice….love it!
Doris Calvert says
June 30, 2016 at 10:15 amCancer is evil and affects everyone, these stories are about incredible and courageous mother’s and human beings, looking forward to more stories.
Jody D says
June 30, 2016 at 10:19 amGreat video! Looking forward to Rio Olympics for all our athletes!
Shirley OFlynn says
June 30, 2016 at 11:20 amGreat video! The mothers are such a fantastic source of support.
Karla Sceviour says
June 30, 2016 at 12:19 pmLovely video!!
nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham) says
June 30, 2016 at 1:33 pmSuch touching stories.
kathy downey says
June 30, 2016 at 3:42 pmThanks for sharing such a touching stories !
angela m says
June 30, 2016 at 7:42 pmI loved this video and the touching stories.
Athena says
July 1, 2016 at 7:48 amIt takes dedication and hardwork for all involved. kudos to those with the drive and those who do what they can to support them.
Kristi R. says
July 1, 2016 at 3:43 pmSuch a nice video!
Debbie Bashford says
July 2, 2016 at 4:10 amGlad to hear you Mom is doing good
Julie says
July 2, 2016 at 6:19 amI love watching the Olympics, always look forward to it! The athletes amaze me and I love the feeling of pride in our country that is so obvious during the Olympics!
Neal Hartwig says
July 2, 2016 at 6:21 amThe Olympics are very important in our house! We love cheering on our athletes, boy their Mothers must be proud!
Judy Cowan says
July 2, 2016 at 7:05 amGreat video! It is so great to see companies like P&G supporting our athletes and their families!
Holly MacRitchie says
July 2, 2016 at 12:35 pmI am a brand new mom (only 10 weeks) and I hope to inspire my daughter to be whatever she wishes!
Violet Smith says
July 3, 2016 at 5:34 amAs a mom of two daughters with mental health issues I know that making sure you support your children in making their dreams come true is important. A mother will always support their children and try to help them achieve their goals. Such dedication and love and support by these mom’s and families.
Joanne Frank says
July 3, 2016 at 5:40 pmawesome video thank you so much for sharing
K Yee says
July 4, 2016 at 12:29 pmThank you for sharing this video. While the athletes work so hard to achieve what they do, like all of in our endeavours, the support we receive from others is so helpful and important.
Mishelle says
July 4, 2016 at 3:02 pmHow these athletes give everything and keep coming back and trying harder is amazing. Just amazing! I hope they do well for Canada and themselves.
M
tiesha says
July 4, 2016 at 4:59 pmMother’s have the opportunity to help their child reach their potential like no other person can. I am sure that the moms are very proud of their athletes!
Louise Gilbert says
July 4, 2016 at 10:23 pmgreat video. amazing
Melissa Black says
July 5, 2016 at 12:16 amThis is touching… thanks for sharing
Kristi says
July 5, 2016 at 10:31 amIt’s great to hear that your mother is doing much better and the strength that she regained. The olympics will be a great event this year as well.
kristen visser says
July 5, 2016 at 1:52 pmI absolutely LOVE this commercial. it is one of my favorites. so touching!
AD says
July 5, 2016 at 9:49 pmEVERY SINGLE TIME! These P&G commercials make me cry EVERY SINGLE TIME! LOLOL! Love them.
Elle Bogate says
July 6, 2016 at 4:37 amThere are lot of people dedicated to making athletes successful. Let’s hope that they take the same interest in Rio’s problems once the party’s over and Rio is left with grinding poverty and 6 billion of debt from “the big game”.
Alison Braidwood says
July 7, 2016 at 3:36 pmMy mom fought breast cancer for nearly 30 years, so this story resonates with me. Sending my best wishes to your mom.
Alyssa says
July 7, 2016 at 10:00 pmBest of luck to you and your mom!
Jamie hall says
July 8, 2016 at 7:40 amThis is so heart warming , it takes so much dedication
Krista M says
July 10, 2016 at 10:48 amThis is so heartfelt, so absolutely touching. Your story is something I haven’t had to deal with personally, but I feel the pain in your words. Your mom’s strength is truly incredible.
Donnas says
July 11, 2016 at 5:42 amMothers are remarkable. My mother nursed my father through a long debilitating illness, and just after he passed she was diagnosed with cancer. She was so busy taking care of herself that she neglected her care. In fact, one evening after she had put my father to bed, she sat down and realized that she hadn’t eaten at all that day. Unfortunately she lost her battle to cancer, but she still lives on in her seven children and all of our children and grandchildren.
And I’m glad that your mother is doing all right.
Cheryl says
July 11, 2016 at 11:26 amSuch an amazing story!! 🙂
Shirley says
July 14, 2016 at 5:33 pmGreat video! I’m looking forward to the Rio Olympics for all our athletes!
Silvia D says
July 16, 2016 at 6:28 pmsuch a sweet touching video!
Heather Robertson says
July 18, 2016 at 5:27 pmThanks for sharing this video and positive thoughts for your mom and family. 🙂
Carol M says
July 21, 2016 at 9:16 amLoved the video
Jennifer P. says
July 21, 2016 at 4:48 pmI thought the last set of P&G Olympic “Mom” commercials were actually a little better, they hit home for me a little more than the current ones. Sorry to hear your mom has been battling breast cancer. My step mom just finished her chemo for breast cancer a few months ago, and it is such a tough thing to do. She is luckily cancer free and on the mend now though so that is good!