2006 New Balance Honorary Team Member
Bonnie Anderson
I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993. On the day that I heard those words,
time stood still. I just felt that this was it, my life was over. After I was diagnosed,
my surgeon introduced me to a nurse who had recently had mastectomy for breast cancer
6months before my diagnosis. She visited me in the hospital and encouraged me during
my five day stay there. My surgeon was helpful, my primary physician my me feel
very comfortable. I met my new oncologist while I was still in the hospital and
he answered all my questions. I felt less fearful every day. My family was very
supportive. My healthcare providers were excellent. My environment made this devastating
diagnosis less frightening.
After I was discharged from the hospital, I immediately joined a Breast Cancer support
group. I wanted to learn as much as I could about this disease. I also had a need
to meet other women who had Breast Cancer.
I was diagnosed at 40 years old. After meeting these women I realized some were
younger than I and with more aggressive diagnosis than I had. I felt a need to help
in some way, I realized then that (I actually had it good). My Breast Cancer diagnosis
was an early diagnosis and my healthcare system was excellent. So many of these
women had not had this experience. After educating myself I began to learn that
early detection was the only protection relative to this disease.
I became a reach to recovery volunteer for the ACS. And it became even more profound,
how some women were suffering from this disease. I have a mission to assist as many
women and families affected by breast cancer as I can. I have joined organization
who also share this mission. I have also joined organizations whose primary mission
is to effectively eradicate breast cancer as a life threating disease through increase
research.
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