Cancer Survivors Bring Awareness, Encourage Early Detection
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- It is a disease that affects thousands of woman in Maryland-- killing more here in Baltimore than any other area.
As Marcus Washington reports, Saturday's event was for the survivors and their families.
Hearing "you have breast cancer" can be extremely hard and sadly the one hearing the news--- is often not alone.
"All of my sisters, we all have cancer."
This new diagnoses is often met with uncertainty.
"Of course my life changed, but right then it just sat still. I called my job and told them I don't know when I will be back, everything just stopped," said Linda Stansbury, cancer survivor.
In Maryland nearly 5,000 new breast cancer cases are expected in 2015--Baltimore City having the highest death rate in the state.
"High death rates and late stage diagnoses, especially among African American women, so we really felt like it was important to offer this free event to people who most needed it," said Kelly Kesler, Susan G. Komen.
It's the reason the Susan G. Komen Foundation here in Maryland hosts supportive events for the past 21 years.
This year focusing on life after cancer, but not neglecting the importance of early detection, self-examinations and yearly mammograms.
Joined by Baltimore City Mayor, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, survivors and their families learn about what it takes for success after cancer.
"And it takes a lot of support, survivors need a lot of support and the families need a lot of support, so this is a great way in sort of a celebratory environment to just offer that information, education and a fun time with your family."
"My commitment is to try to make life better for someone else as they are trying to go through. As I hear you talk about what you're going through and what you're going to do next, you're going to continue to live; you're going to continue to love life and grow and help the next person going through. Let them know it's going to be okay," Stansbury said.
Doctors say early detection helps patient's chances of surviving the disease. There are 3- million breast cancer survivors currently in the United States.
