To
know how it affects women and those around them, all it takes is to hear
one persons story, since talking about cancer (of any kind) and its
victims is a somber, deeply affecting subject.
The
Latin Pop Star Soraya is one such story that is not only humbling but also
provides hope and encouragement.
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Soraya joined
forces with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in 1999 as
the organizations Latin spokesperson, using her appearances to
endorse her 2000 album Im Yours/Cuerpo y Alma, as well as to
promote breast cancer awareness and education.
However, her
messages hit too close to home in June of that same year, when
Soraya, also an avid runner, unexpectedly found a lump in her own
breast. She was immediately diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer.
Cancer? I could
not even imagine it, says Soraya. However, I immediately focused
all my energy into what I needed to keep strong, positive, and to
keep going.
At the time of
diagnosis, she was leaving on a two-year concert tour, which had to
be instantly cancelled. And, within a week she received over 6,000
letters of support on her web site (www.soraya.com).
Through two years
of aggressive cancer treatments, Soraya never lost hope. Instead,
she became more driven to get out the message of breast self-exams
and other breast cancer awareness issues. |
Photo:PowerPact
Breast cancer survivor and Latin Pop Artist Soraya
looks to educate women about breast cancer awareness and give hope
through her music and public appearances. |
After months of visualizing her future, she told me she is now launching a
new record and sees breast cancer awareness and prevention as her ongoing
mission, especially among Hispanics.
She
has also developed an outstanding breast cancer awareness and prevention
educational CD that will begin distribution this month.
When
asked how surviving breast cancer has changed her, Soraya told me It
affects everyone differently. For me, its been an evolution to the depth
of my soul. Im so appreciative of the present, which is something very
common among breast cancer survivors.
Soraya says that there is a lot of misinformation and non-information out
there that contributes to under-informed women, especially minorities.
In
the excellent book Straight Talk about Breast Cancer (www.addicusbooks.com),
the authors reinforce that knowledge and coping strategies are some of the
best tools for women and families who are presented with dealing with
breast cancer. The book also contains smart, easy-to-understand
prevention advice.
One
of those coping strategies is to join a support group.
Laurie Dooley, a personal trainer from East Amherst, New York and who has
been nominated for a 2003 Volvo For Life Award, made her own support
group.
Losing her best friend Nina to breast cancer, Laurie told me, Nina was
someone who believed that if you were alive it was a privilege to move
you need quality of life as a survivor.
In
2000, Laurie formed what has now become a group of 50 women, in various
stages of breast cancer recovery from
Western New York ages 33-78, who train twice a week to compete in
Dragon Boat Races only the second team of its kind from the
U.S.
When
I asked Laurie what keeps her going with overseeing the training of these
women, she told me, No matter how my day goes, (the women) never miss
their workout. They are so grateful, they laugh, and they are the
highlight of my day.
As
both Soraya and Laurie Dooley demonstrate, attitude, action, and awareness
make the best of what can be a devastating situation.
I
encourage you to be supportive of women, such as these, who are making a
difference and embodying the best of what the human spirit has to offer.