Cancer survivor signs on for 60-mile fund-raising walk
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Her gratitude for cancer research motivated Mason City breast cancer survivor Andrea “Andi†Halvorson to sign on for a 60-mile fund-raising walk in November.
Halvorson, 53, and her daughter, Kelli, 26, will take part in the Susan G. Komen “Breast Cancer 3-Day†Friday through Sunday, Nov. 3-5, in Phoenix, Ariz. They must each raise a minimum of $2,200 to participate.
“I felt that I was really benefitting from cancer research,†Halvorson said. “I want to ‘pay it forward’ to help raise funds for future breast cancer research so that others can have every possible tool to help fight this disease.â€
A new drug, Herceptin, that was found to be effective in treating late-stage breast cancer in clinical trials, was recently made available to people like Halvorson who discovered their breast cancer in the earlier stages.
A more targeted form of therapy than chemotherapy, Herceptin homes in on tumor cells.
In June 2005, she discovered what turned out to be a cancerous growth when she detected a tender spot on one of her breasts. An ultrasound scan found the growth was cancerous and had spread to the lymph nodes. She underwent surgery and treatment, electing to have a lumpectomy.
The treatment included 20 weeks of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and a year of taking Herceptin. “I just finished with it,†she said.
She feels fortunate.
Herceptin has been shown effective in treating the aggressive type of breast cancer Halvorson has, a type that has a high reoccurrence rate. “Now it’s equalized it more with other types of breast cancer,†she said.
Anyone wanting to donate to the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk may send a check made out to “Breast Cancer 3-Day†to Andi Halvorson, 6 Field Road, Mason City, IA 50401.
Donations will fund breast cancer research, education and treatment programs, as well as the National Philanthropic Trust Breast Cancer Fund, to provide endowment initiatives, Halvorson said.
For further information about the walk, refer to the following Web site: http://www.the3day.org/.
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November 16th, 2008 at 9:15 am
[...] updated lately) and also one about the Avon Breast Cancer Walk up in NY this past Oct. I also found one that has some good fundraising tips. I also found a Breast Cancer 3 Day Wrap Up that was cool to read. Filed Under: Blogs [...]