On behalf of Susan G. Komen® Inland Empire, we hope you will join us to celebrate and honor all of our survivors and those who support at our Komen Inland Empire Race for the Cure® on Sunday, October, 20th. Seventy-five percent of the net proceeds from the Race remain in our community providing access to life-saving programs and services for those in need while 25 percent supports the Susan G. Komen Award & Grant Research Program.
Below is a story of hope and courage from one of our survivors. The money raised impacts women and families all year long…we need your support to continue our work…every dollar counts and we are counting on you.
Kay Polson – As a thriving survivor, Kay wants women who are newly diagnosed to know that they need to consult with an oncologist as well as their surgeon. Now a great-grandmother of 4 beautiful great-granddaughters, she continues to stress early detection to all her family and others. Here is her story in her own words. “As a 15-year survivor of breast cancer, each year feels like an encouraging testament to other women newly facing their diagnosis & treatment. I have never forgotten the feeling of learning my biopsy report was positive, not being able to grasp what was… or was not ahead, the fear, uncertainty, the questions, the hours of research, and for many months ahead, wanting only for everything to be “normal” again. I never thought of myself as being courageous at the time, but I now realize that to go through a mastectomy and the necessary treatment, I absolutely did need to have courage, faith, hope, and to rely on all the support of family, friends, and support groups that surrounded me during my journey.”
“My goal over these years has been to support Susan G. Komen, and for a time was a trained volunteer with “Reach to Recovery”. More importantly, I want to pass on my knowledge of early detection and to be emotionally supportive of all the women. I am thankful and I am truly blessed for every precious day I have been given.”
Written by Rita Cripe, celebrating 9-years of being a breast cancer Survivor/Thriver.