Every woman who participated in the 2011 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure had her own reason for being there. We found some who agreed to share their stories of survival and their motivation for walking in the race.

Ms. Cooper, 44, is fighting to save her Hooters

“I’m only six months cancer free. April of this year I was diagnosed as cancer free. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010, in March. It was a year-and-a-half process. Women need to go and get tested. A lot of black women will not go and get tested. They need to. I’m only 44 years old. There is no age limit. Some women are as young as 16, 17. I was having treatments with women that were 20. So we need to go and get tested, as early as possible.

“To the women who are going through it, keep the faith. God is a healer. Whether you are still here or you go on, he is a healer. And I believe that is how I made it. It was a hard road, but I believe that’s how I made it.”
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Angela Agers, 40, has the support of her team – “Angela’s Angels”

“I was diagnosed with invasive carcinoma back in July. I had just turned 40 and found out on my first mammogram. I had my surgery back in August, and I’m going through chemotherapy right now.

“God is good! It’s not going to hold me down. To anybody else that is going through cancer, trust in God, because He will get you through every single day. Trust in Him. Don’t lose your faith in Him, because God truly, truly is good. I wouldn’t be standing here if it weren’t for Him.”
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Pamela Jackson walked in memory of her grandmother -- Team Real Women Talk

“I’m walking for my grandmother, Louise Taylor, or ‘Lulu.’ She was an awesome woman. I can’t say enough about how she helped me to become the woman that I am today.

“I want to raise awareness about the need to go and get checked. Go get your mammogram. Do what you need to do as a woman to make sure that you can live on to see the next generation.”
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Norma Zappaterra is a survivor

“I was diagnosed the first time in 2002. My doctor had the mindset to make me go for a mammogram and diagnostic, and they did a lumpectomy. Then seven years later, it came back and I had to have a mastectomy, which went very successfully. Both of the times that it was found, it was found quite by accident. There was nothing that was in my family history that would have given me an indication that I should be going regularly for mammograms, but I did. And I’m very, very blessed that I did.

“I talk sometimes at Carolinas Medical Center to women who have recently been diagnosed. I just tell them to find all the support out there that you can. There is hope. Surround yourself with love and people who love you. Keep your attitude on the future and everybody gets through it. They really do.”
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Linda Newton walked in memory of loved ones

“I walked for my aunts, in memory of my mom, and several other people who I’ve known along the way who have passed from this. It’s just something I believe in. I’ve done the walk from the very first start …a long time ago. Before anyone I know was touched with breast cancer, I walked. I’ve always done it just because it’s something that I believe in.

“My main message is that women can overcome it. Early detection really is the key. When my mom was diagnosed she was diagnosed very, very early. She actually survived breast cancer. It was another cancer that took her, but she did survive the breast cancer. So, breast cancer is very survivable. The thing is, you’ve got to know your own body. You know what you feel like. If you feel like your doctor isn’t giving you the right answer, then go to another doctor. You know yourself.”
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Click here for more information about breast cancer awareness and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
 

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