Everyone could use a good Feel Good Friday story.

At Lincoln Elementary School, staff surprised their new principal, Alison Espinoza, with a sea of pink, thoughtful gifts, and heartfelt messages. The reason? Alison is celebrating something extraordinary — one year cancer free.

A year and a half ago, Alison's life changed after a routine mammogram revealed Stage 1A breast cancer. She nearly postponed that appointment — but keeping it saved her life. Surgery and radiation followed, and by grace and grit, she is now thriving.

This is Alison's first year leading Lincoln as principal, but she has been part of Cicero District 99 for 15 years. True to the District's spirit, the Lincoln community came together not just to honor her journey, but to remind us all of a vital truth: early detection matters.

As October — Breast Cancer Awareness Month — approaches, Alison's story carries a powerful message: don't put off your checkups. That one appointment could save a life. Hers did.

Today, she's not just a principal. She's a survivor. And she's an inspiration.