A simple compliment can have the most powerful impact. Allie Hartung, a young woman battling breast cancer, shared the story about a life-changing interaction with a thoughtful grocery store worker that is showing the world the true significance of small acts of kindness. Allie told Upworthy, “My journey started with a small lump near my rib cage that I was told twice was ‘probably just a lymph node,’ but I trusted my instincts and sought a second opinion. During an ultrasound at my third doctor’s request for answers, a full breast exam revealed a different small mass, and two days before my 32nd birthday, a biopsy confirmed it was cancer.” Allie recently went through chemotherapy that resulted in total hair loss. Back in March, she visited her local grocery store to get some essentials. Only this time, she made the brave choice to not cover her baldness. Her courage did not go unnoticed, and she shared the story in a moving video. “Anyway, compliment a stranger,” she captioned it. @alliekeepsitreel anyway, compliment a stranger #hair #chemo #compliment ♬ Run Away with Me – Instrumental Version – Louis Island Her interaction at the grocery store In the video, Allie shares what happened after she went to the grocery store. “I was getting stuff I need, and the lady who worked there stops me while she as mopping, and she was like, ‘Girl! You rock your hair like that!'” she says. “And I said, ‘Thanks. It’s not by choice.’ And we both kind of went our separate ways.” But they find each other again in the store. “She comes back around and she says, ‘Did you just say it’s not by choice?’ And I said, ‘Yes. I’m going through chemo.’ And she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re going to rock it! And you’re gonna kill it!'” Allie noted she doesn’t remember exactly what the kind woman said to her, but that she thanked her. But before she left the store, Allie found her once again. “I stopped her and I just said, ‘Actually this is the first time I’ve left the house without wearing a scarf or a hat. And I know it was something [a] very small part of your day, but I’ll never forget this moment and it really means a lot to me.'” She adds that the two hugged, and the interaction had a deep impact on her. “I think through cancer, I’m realizing compliments can go a really long ways,” she shared, explaining that she used to work at the store for years, but that two of her managers didn’t recognize her without her hair. “I’m just not really feeling like myself, and I just really needed that,” she concluded. Allie met up with the kind stranger The woman who complimented Allie was named Tracy. She found and commented on Allie’s video, sharing more details about their chance meeting: “…I was mopping the store and saw her come around the corner I told myself ok yeah she looks really good and she’s rocking that hair style. I was fighting with myself on telling her and a voice just told me to go for it, worse thing thing she could do is chew me out. She told me her story before she left. I never expected this to blow up like it did! I’m so glad to have gained and friend and make someone feel good about themselves. I also try to give a compliment even if I don’t receive anything in return I don’t do it for that. Keep pushing Allie!!! I’m here always girl.” The two met once again after the video had gone viral. Allie brought Tracy a little gift basket of flowers to show her appreciation, and shared it with her followers. @alliekeepsitreel kindness takes so little but can mean so much. you never know how much someone needs to hear it. compliment a stranger and if you’re lucky, you may make a new friend. the biggest shout out to my newest pal @tracy for being a shining light in my cancer journey. also please forgive the recording angle and audio. i find it creepy to record others when they’re not expecting it ♬ nhạc nền – cblvvch – cblvvch “Kindness goes a long way, and this has impacted me in the most unbelievable ways that I could think of,” Allie says in her car before meeting Tracy. She finds Tracy, and gets to tell her about the impact her kindness made. “It really meant more to me than you know,” she tells her. Allie’s message on early detection Early detection and self-advocacy were essential for Allie’s early breast cancer diagnosis, and she encourages other young women to take steps for early breast cancer detection. “A self exam doesn’t have to be complicated, you’re just looking for changes. A new lump, (sometimes it can feel as small as a lemon seed), swelling, skin dimpling, or anything that feels different from your normal,” she tells Upworthy. “And if something feels off, even if you’re told it’s probably nothing, it’s okay to push for answers or seek a second opinion. Trusting yourself can make all the difference. Early detection truly saves lives.” @alliekeepsitreel and just like that i’m loving life again i have a month long of radiation ahead but so thrilled to be done with this chapter. i have been so blessed with the best doctors and nurses throughout this process. i don’t know how yall in health care do it but i couldn’t be more thankful. #chemo #cancer #breastcancer #nursing ♬ Loving Life Again – Ella Langley Allie recently finished her chemotherapy treatment, and will soon start radiation. “If there’s one thing I hope people take away from all of this, it’s that kindness truly matters,” Allie says. “It takes almost no effort, but it can completely shift someone’s day, or even how they’re feeling about themselves. You never know what someone is carrying, and something as simple as a compliment can have a lasting impact.” The post She grocery shopped hat-free during chemo for the first time. A tiny compliment led her to tears. appeared first on Upworthy.