At age 39, just ten days before Christmas 2000, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in the right breast. There had never been breast cancer in our family, so needless to say I was floored. Lumpectomy, sentinel node biopsy and eight weeks of radiation took me right up to my 40th birthday...what a wonderful birthday present to me I thought, I'm done with this. Then six years later my annual mammogram revealed abnormalities in both breasts. I chose to have both breasts removed...I'm not doing this a third time. The pathology reports after surgery weren't good...the cancer was invasive. I thank God that He gave me the strength to decide to remove both breasts. Chemotherapy and three additional surgeries later, I've been cancer free for three years. Despite the scars and lingering effects of "chemo-brain", even my current unemployment, I couldn't ask for a better life right now. It was a tough road, but one that not only made me a stronger person, but also a more passionate person. Passionate about my life. Passionate about my family and friends. Passionate about doing all I can to help find a cure.

Darlene
Martins Creek, PA