To celebrate production of the 2013 Jeep_® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk, the most capable Grand Cherokee ever, we wanted to hear from you. So we took to the Jeep Blog a few weeks ago and posed the question to our loyal Jeep enthusiasts, “What makes you Trailhawk Tough?” The entries we received were nothing short of outstanding. From the funny and whimsical to the poignant and inspirational, you guys showed us what tough really means.

Two contest runners-up won some authentic Jeep brand swag. One contest winner won swag and a spotlight for her winning entry right here on the Jeep Blog. So without further ado, here’s the winning “Trailhawk Tough” Contest entry by Jackie F:

This February, a week before my 26th birthday, I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer – and I beat it. Having cancer doesn’t make you tough, how you handle it does. I gave myself 48 hours to play “woe is me.” Then I started the battle. Throughout all of it, my one getaway was my Jeep vehicle. I called it my safe car. Whenever I wasn’t feeling so tough, I would jump in, and just go anywhere at anytime. It gave me freedom, control, and a tough cocoon when I needed it. I’m tough on the inside, and my Jeep vehicle is tough on the outside. I’m one tough young adult cancer survivor, with a Jeep vehicle as my battle horse.