Lauren Zlotky, a determined mother of two sets of twins, set out to conquer breast cancer, discovering along the way a profound commitment to assist others facing similar battles.
by Julie Taylor | Contributor
When Lauren Zlotky learned about her pregnancy with twins, she experienced a mix of shock and joy. After enduring multiple miscarriages and unsuccessful In Vitro Fertilization procedures, she and her husband, Jeff, were finally on the verge of becoming parents to not one but two children! A couple of years down the line, she faced yet another unexpected twist. After putting much effort into welcoming her sons, Ryan and Reid, she was astounded to find out she was naturally expecting another set of twins, and this time they were girls. “They are truly a miracle,” she expresses. “While we were in disbelief, our excitement and happiness to expand our family was undeniable.”
Excitement filled Lauren’s heart with the arrival of her daughters, Kallie and Megan, but she also felt a heavy weight regarding the care of four young children. One vital lesson she has embraced through parenting two sets of twins is the understanding that perfection is not a requirement. “We often fixate on being the ideal parent and end up being very critical of ourselves,” she remarks. “In time, the kids won’t remember the missed story times. Avoid stressing over trivial matters; the little things you worry about ultimately hold little significance.”
While parenting her four little ones, Lauren managed two businesses—Quest Pro Consultants, an executive search company, and Q Temps, a temporary staffing agency—both operating in the insurance sector. After years of balancing travel and the demands of entrepreneurship, Lauren noticed feelings of envy towards her live-in nanny for having the opportunity to spend her days with Lauren’s children. “I realized it wasn’t worth it anymore,” she reflects. “I didn’t want to miss further moments of their childhood. Thus, I decided to sell my businesses.” About a year later, when her twins were six and her daughters three, Lauren faced another life-altering moment: at 43, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Upon learning about her diagnosis, Lauren emphatically told her doctor, “I don’t have time for cancer! I have four kids under six! You need to take care of this!” Despite having a family history of breast cancer, she was taken aback by the diagnosis, especially after testing negative for the BRCA gene, which identifies genetic cancer risks. Fortunately, her aggressive cancer was detected early, allowing her to undergo chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery within the year. “I had a wonderful support network,” she shares. “My husband, his family, my parents, and my brother were all incredibly supportive.” Throughout the ordeal, Laura describes jeff as her unwavering pillar of strength. “He maintained a calm demeanor despite everything. He endeavored to be resilient for me. We both are naturally optimistic, which I believe made a significant difference.”
During her treatments, her children were too young to grasp the situation fully. “Being a mother to four young kids played a crucial role in my ability to navigate my cancer treatments,” she reflects. “Staying occupied helped me focus on living my life to the fullest. Now, Ryan and Reid are 14, while Kallie and Megan are 11. The kids are engaged in various activities, ensuring our family stays active.”
Lauren is now a devoted volunteer with “Heroes for Children,” an organization that provides financial and social support for families affected by childhood cancer. “Heroes for Children has a special meaning for me due to the vital assistance they offer families during such challenging times,” she states. “I recognized how fortunate I was to face no financial struggles while undergoing treatment, and I want to help families dealing with the grave illness of a child while coping with the loss of income from a parent needing to prioritize caring for their sick child.”
“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 dedicated to advocating and providing both financial and social support for families navigating the challenges of having a child with cancer. It was founded in the memory of Taylor Anne Brewton and Allison “Allie” Leigh Scott, both of whom tragically lost their lives to Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Taylor succumbed to her battle at just four years old, having endured 11 months of treatment. In her honor, her family established a nonprofit called Taylor’s Angels to offer financial support to other families with children facing cancer.
Allie, too, succumbed to leukemia, passing away at the tender age of just eight months after undergoing three chemotherapy cycles, receiving 80 blood transfusions, and having a stem cell transplant.
In October 2004, Larissa Linton (Taylor’s mother) and Jenny Scott (Allie’s mother) met shortly after the loss of Jenny’s daughter Allie. They recognized the need for Heroes for Children after sharing their devastating experiences with childhood cancer and the blessings they received from their communities. They noticed many families, in contrast, were struggling without any assistance, losing homes, facing disconnections of utilities, and having difficulty making day-to-day payments. Together, they identified the longing for a more comprehensive support network, leading to the establishment of Heroes for Children in December 2004, driven by their commitment to assist other families facing childhood cancer. “Our vision is for no family battling cancer with a child to fight alone.”
For more details or to contribute or volunteer, visit: HeroesForChildren.org.
