WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Survivors teach breast cancer awareness

Survivors teach breast cancer awareness

By Tyana Williams - bio | email

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - The American Cancer Society predicts nearly 193,000 new cases of breast cancer will be found this year.  Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. 

This month, several groups have tried to raise awareness.  They say it's the little things they're doing to get the word out. There are pink ribbons, pink t-shirts and pink sweatsuits rounding the corners of Independence Park.  But no matter how you dress it up, breast cancer is a scary concept.

"The pit of my stomach got so nervous.  Cause I just thought, oh no.  Just really takes you off guard," says Sylvia Jackson.  She has been cancer free since 1995.  Last year, her church started the five-mile walk around the park, to raise awareness for breast cancer.

"She was a fighter.  She kept saying I'm going to beat this.  I will beat this," says Billie Netter. Almost one year ago her daughter Cassandra, died of a rare form of breast cancer.  Just one year after she was diagnosed.

Though the turnout was not as grand as other walks, they say the important part is people are participating.  They say the awareness comes with telling their stories and making sure women know to get tested.

"She was told she was to young for a mammogram," Billie says about her daughter.  "And when she found the lump she went to the doctor.  They sent her straight to Women's Hospital to have a biopsy.  She had a biopsy and it was cancerous.  By then it had spread."

Even the Central High School football team took a stand on raising awareness.  Garrett Ramsey, #43, lost his mother to breast cancer.  After a 12 year battle, Vicki Ramsey died on July 3rd of last year.

Friday night, the coaches surprised the team, Garrett and his brother Spencer with pink jersey's. "They've always been there," Garrett says.

Both stories have the same lesson.  Getting people to pay attention and listen to the battle they've already fought, just in case.

The Beacon Light Church made a $5,000 donation to Mary Bird Perkins for cancer research. Friday night, Central High also made a $1,000 donation to Susan G. Komen.

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