Making strides

Breast cancer: Two of the scariest words a woman will ever hear.

When I heard those words from my doctor in June 2008, my world felt like it was about to come crashing down. My mother heard those words in April 2002 and lost her life to breast cancer in January 2003.

I joined the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk to help raise awareness and funds to support the fight against breast cancer.

I have met dozens of other breast cancer survivors in all stages of treatment, many of whom have gone on to live long and fulfilling lives. I am one of these. My mother never got the chance to say these words: “I am a survivor.”

Seeing other survivors gives me the confidence that one day we will defeat this disease. And I know that hope starts with me ... and each and every one of us. I am proof that early detection is the best protection against breast cancer.

The chance of a woman developing invasive breast cancer at some time in her life is about one out of eight, or 12 percent. In 2009, an estimated 192,370 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 40,000 will die from the disease.

I am blessed to be one of the survivors, and I walk because I do not want anyone I know to hear the words “you have breast cancer.” I am walking for my mother and my aunt who never said, “I am a survivor.”

On Oct. 10, I plan to walk beside my friends, colleagues and fellow survivors at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at the Ivy Tech Community College in Bloomington.

I urge everyone to join together as we make strides toward a future where breast cancer is no longer a life-threatening disease. To get involved or for more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 812-336-8423, or visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline.

Beth Williams
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Chair & Breast Cancer Survivor
Patricksburg, Ind, resident