In August, just two years ago, Anita’s relationship with cancer became more than what she experienced with her mother’s diagnosis. Anita noticed something strange every time she stepped out of the shower, while drying off she would discover a small streak of blood on her towel. Thinking it was an accidental cut from shaving, Anita ignored the little streaks until one day she noticed them in her bra. She decided to discuss the strange occurrences with her gynecologist, but assumed nothing was wrong because she had a mammogram a short time before and nothing was detected. However, Anita’s doctor ordered her to have a biopsy. When it surprisingly came back with positive results, Anita was scheduled to take a second biopsy covering a larger area in the following days.

In preparation for her second biopsy, Anita discussed the situation with her husband’s oncologist. With his advice, she decided to take a BRCA test instead of undergoing a second biopsy. Three long weeks later the results were finally in. According to the medical report, Anita had invasive ductal carcinoma with lobular features and extensive ductal carcinoma in-situ. This diagnosis changed Anita's life at 62 years old; she officially had breast cancer.

Unsure about the next steps to take, Anita sought guidance from friends and family. Votes from her seven high school best friends, two daughters, sister and husband revealed a consensus that she should have a double mastectomy. She agreed with her friends and family because she wanted to ensure nothing else would go wrong. Anita had a double mastectomy, followed by successful reconstructive surgery.

Two years later, Anita is now cancer free and enjoying time with her friends and family. She is living everyday, keeping an optimistic mental attitude about the future, and is staying active watching her grandsons grow up and participating in various organizations near her home in Granbury. Like every year since her mother has passed, Anita will continue to celebrate the lives of survivors and the progress of finding a cure for breast cancer during the Race for the Cure.