Breast cancer research is a very personal cause for me. I am forming a team to support the Komen “More Than Pink Walk” this year.

Breast cancer not only attacks the patient; it tears apart families, guts spouses and children, and brings fear to the core of every woman who is waiting for a biopsy result. We are all impacted by breast cancer.

I lost my sister Dixie at 40 years old to aggressive metastatic breast cancer. We now know that she had the BRCA2 genetic mutation which I also inherited. I am a previvor! I choose to live! I am at high risk for the disease and have chosen preventative treatments to reduce my risk of dying from breast cancer.

A few years ago, I attended an amazing conference with 700+ folks, all affected by or interested in hereditary breast cancers. Dr. Mary-Claire King first discovered the BRCA gene in 1994, and after 24 years of relentless research about detection and prevention, she made this statement at the conference: “No woman with a mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 should die of breast cancer”. Wow. That is empowering!

I am also so grateful for modern treatments such as the immunotherapy drugs. My dear foster mother, Pat has been in treatment for the past year. This is her third occurrence of breast cancer, now metastatic to the bones. Her doctor included immunotherapy drugs in her treatment plan. I am elated that her recent PET scan shows great results and I look forward to more years together.

This team, Pink Synergy walks for you, for your friends and family who battle breast cancer. We walk for all the people who have a genetic mutation which increases their risk for the disease. We will multiply our energy and commitment to beat breast cancer into the dirt!