Jeff Tully
When Sonya Most was diagnosed with breast cancer more than a
decade ago, she thought it was the end of her life.
However, despite the pain, the fear and the stigma involved with
battling the disease, Most has come to the realization her successful
struggle to overcome cancer has signified a new beginning.
"When I first got the news that I had cancer, it was horrible,"
said Most, 73, who has lived in Burbank for 27 years. "I really
thought I was going to die.
"But now, looking back, although I know this might sound kind of
strange but there is actually some good that has come out of me
getting cancer. It has made me live my life and helped me realize
that there is a lot more that I still want to do."
Despite having a full mastectomy shortly after her diagnosis in
Oct. 1991, Most is a 12-year survivor.
Since her recovery, the retired physical education teacher is
taking life by the horns, playing tennis, golfing and participating
in a healthy regiment of walking.
Sunday, Most will put her walking skills to good use at the
American Cancer Society's sixth annual Making Strides Against Breast
Cancer Walk Sunday at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. More than 15,000
walkers are expected to attend the five-kilometer walk that will
raise more than $800,000 for research, education and patient
services.
"It is just a great way to raise funds that are really needed for
breast cancer research," Most said. "We need as much help and money
as we can get."
The walk is being staged in conjunction with October being
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 21,000 women in
California will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 4,275
will die from the disease. An estimated 203,000 women in America will
suffer from the disease this year.
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Taking part in the walk is one of the many endeavors Most has
taken part in for the American Cancer Society. In the past, she has
provided transportation for patients to get to and from their
doctors' appointments, and now she's involved in the ACS's Reach to
Recovery program, which provides information and support for recently
diagnosed breast-cancer patients and their families.
"I think it is important to have women who have just been
diagnosed with breast cancer, or who have just had surgery, to have
someone to talk to who has been through what they are going through,"
Most said. "It is something that really helped me get through it and
I want to provide the same for them."
