ot every time the word "cancer" is said does it spell "death". However, my only sister, dad, aunts, uncles and grandmother have passed away from some type of cancer. My two sons and husband have all had prostate cancer, my daughter-in-law ovarian cancer and my mother had breast cancer 17 years ago. She passed away a year and a half ago at the age of 92 not from anything related to cancer; she just went to sleep. My family is living proof that there is life after being diagnosed with the big "C". Twenty-four years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had been playing racquetball three times a week and thought I was in the best shape I could be in at that age. I went to Houston for treatment since the doctor here wanted an immediate answer for what I wanted to do about my breast cancer and I told him that I needed to think about it for a few days. In Houston, they gave me a completely different attitude and a totally different course of treatment. I stayed with friends in Houston throughout my radiation treatment.      , a couple of years later my Houston friends invited me to a breast cancer walk. I was so moved and touched by the care and love at that walk that I decided to do something similar here. Since I live 20 miles south of Lake Charles and had no real connections here, I asked the YMCA if they would help me. They agreed and the first walk was held at the Lake Charles Civic Center. I thought it would be great if 100 participants showed up to walk. We had about 600 walkers the first time! While I believe money is needed for extensive research, my walk is dedicated to local survivors and their families. When going through cancer of any type, there are so many other things going on in a family and money is needed for the small necessities of life, as well as research for a cure. The money from my walk only goes toward residents in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes. Nobody associated with the walk gets payment of any form. Everyone volunteers their time for the cause. All of the money we raise stays in the community to help offset what insurance does not pay. It is a gift for a survivor. Since 2004 we have helped over 250 survivors with monetary gifts. Our local FOX29 affiliate has been a tremendous supporter of my walk from the start. Now other media outlets have joined in. This has become a yearly event, and in 2009 we had over 3000 participants in the walk! Our goal is to have families and friends come together to support each survivor and those currently battling breast cancer. The walk continues to grow thanks to the local support of businesses and families.      receive aid, all one has to do is complete the form on this website and return it to me at the address listed on the form. It is a gift. It is the most rewarding feeling when a survivor turns to me and says "I don't know what to say". I tell them, "All you have to do is say thank you". If we can make someone feel better about themselves while going through some of the darkest moments in their lives, we have reached our goal. I am living proof that there is life after cancer. Any time I have been in a doctor's office and he goes over my charts and says "I see you are in remission". I quickly tell them, "No, I am not in remission. I no longer have cancer." Attitude is part of the cure. I look forward to seeing everyone at the walk in October. Please contact me with any questions you have. We a non-profit organization - 501 C (3) 263304759.