MLB.com

Hi, My name is Kim, I am a 32 year old mother of 3 beautiful children. Cody who is 8, Caitlynn who is 5 and Delaney who is 2 years old. I have been with my high school sweetheart, Marc, for almost 18 years, and we will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary this May. So in November of 2007, at 30 years old, I did not imagine that I would be fighting for my life against breast cancer instead of raising my beautiful children. I was diagnosed with stage 2B IDC with one positive lymph node, grade 3 and HER2 +. Who would have thought that not even a month after my babies 1st birthday I would be worrying about if I would be there to see her 2nd. Or to see any of my children grow up for that matter. With faith in the Lord and a strong support system we faced this journey. We took the very aggressive approach as far as my treatment, as we were told that it was a very aggressive form of cancer. I underwent a bi-lateral mastectomy one week before Christmas 2007. Then, in January 2008 went through 4 rounds of TCH chemotherapy, then an additional 6 months of Herceptin infusions every 3 weeks. I had daily radiation treatments for 6 ½ weeks mid-2008. During my journey I had a few new “lump” scares, surgeries, and complications but as of right now I am living as far as we know “cancer-free”. In November of 2008 I completed the AZ Breast Cancer 60 mile 3-Day along with my Mother, Sister and a few good friends! Also in November of 2008 I celebrated my 1st Cancerversary (I plan on celebrating many, many more), in January 2009 I officially graduated from my chemotherapy, Hooray. And now I AM A BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR and plan on staying that way for another 50 years. I have too many reasons to live, my husband, my children, our family, our friends and our faith. By the grace of God I am surviving and will continue to SURVIVE! So my new life’s calling is to raise awareness for breast cancer research and to raise awareness to young breast cancer, I never thought that it would happen to me. I am saddened by all that have lost their noble battle with this horrible beast and am proud to join the “Survivor’s Club” with all the brave women that have battled the beast and won! Cure is the key to ensuring that our daughter’s will not have to worry about Breast Cancer! Everyone deserves a lifetime including you and me!.

Last month I found a lump on the right side and last week had my second mastectomy. Luckily I am healthy and strong. After four days I was back on the bike; after one week I was running. In three weeks I will be the best grandma to a new little baby boy. This all brought back memories of my story a few years ago: On September 12, 2005 at 3:11 a.m. I sat in a dark hotel room in Madison, WI eating a quart of mint ice cream with M & Ms and chocolate chips! I’d been awake for 25+ hours—but who cared; I am an Ironman--2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run. At the time, my mind was swirling with my recent journey—6 months of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and eight weeks of daily radiation. My past marathon training prepared me well for the marathon treatment. The ironman was a challenge, just because I could do it! The day started early. I woke up at 2:00 a.m. The day started hot and clear, ended hot and clear (though very dark), and was blazing hot and windy in the middle. The recorded high was 92 degrees, but it was much hotter than that on the bike while riding through the cornfields. The wind gusted to 43 mph. The swim started precisely at 7 a.m. The second leg, the bike, started atop a four story parking ramp. At the end of the bike ride, I tell the volunteer who takes it from me that he can keep it. I’m not the first one to tell him that today. Many people were carted off the bike route in an ambulance, so I feel lucky. I knew I had 7 ½ hours to complete the marathon before the cutoff, so I knew I could practically walk it if I needed to. The pressure of not thinking you need to run the marathon is a great feeling. And walk I did, as evidenced by my 6:21 time. And to think I once qualified for Boston in 3:35! Even as the sun went down, there was little cooling off. With three miles to go, I suddenly decide I need to break 16 hours and wouldn’t with the pace I was keeping. So I took off running. Joyfully, and with most of my family in tow, I cross the line in 15 hrs., 52 min., and 58 seconds. That last mile is incredible! All the hard work, the 5:00 a.m. workouts just about everyday for a year, the lonely 6 hour bike rides—it all pays off in one sweet moment. As many signs on the course said, “Pain is temporary, Ironman is forever.” After my double journeys—9 months of cancer treatment, 9 months of triathlon training, I have an incredible sense of satisfaction. I’ve come a long way, baby. And now, I AM AN IRONMAN!!! .

I lost my mother to breast cancer in 2001. She was living in Colorado at the time. I could not go see her. I didn't have the means at the time. I felt so helpless. It would be great to honor her in this way. Baseball has helped me get through some tough times. This would mean a lot to me..

When I was 38 I found a lump in my breast. Six years later after surgery, chemo, radiation, 5 years of Tamoxifen I am still cancer free. I want everyone to know that there is hope for Breast Cancer! You don't have to let it beat you....I didn't!.

I am going to Bat Against Breast Cancer as I have for the past few years. My mother lost in her battle with cancer a little over 2 years ago--she was a mother, daughter, aunt, cousin, mentor, friend and would have been a GREAT grandma. We were with her every step of the way and there is not a day that I don’t think about how her life has affected my family, friends, and everyone in my hometown community. She was a person that definitely has not and never will be forgotten. I made the decision that I wasn’t going to let cancer go on the wayside of life. So since then, I have been working with cancer foundations by making sure everyone is informed about breast cancer as well as other types of cancer. I have shared my story as well as listened to many survivors’ stories over the past years. The survivors are our true heroes—no one can tell a story like theirs. And they are all so different and unique that you can truly learn a lot about the quality of life. I am also president of Colleges Against Cancer on my university campus to spread the word through activities and information booths. Cancer is something that affects everyone in some aspect in life and we all need to work together so no one has to hear "You have cancer." I am a good ol' Wisconsin girl and a definite fan of the Brewers! I have watched the past Mother's Days and see what those pink bats can do for the team--it must mean something :) GO BREWERS!!.

I am entering this contest on behalf of my mother. This year is the 10 year anniversary of my mother being a breast cancer survivor and I think that being an "honorary" bat girl for her favorite team, the Chicago Cubs, would be an AMAZING surprise for her and a perfect way to commemorate the occasion. She has not always had it easy but has always sacrificed so that my brother and I had what we needed and most of what we wanted. I don't know how she did it some of the time, but I would love to repay her by surprising her this Mother's Day. As a child there were many times that I took her for granted; as a 32 year old woman I realize how lucky I am to have the best mother ever and the best friend ever all wrapped up into one beautiful person..

single mother of three gone through many family members that have failed the disease and lost their wonderful lives. Pray every day that I or my female members never get the disease but if we do it was gods way. Love life to the fullest otherwise I think all of the women in the world are the bravest creations..

In 2005 I was diagnosed with DCIS. I get regular mammogram each year and my 2004 mammogram was clean. The night before my lumpectomy my surgeon had an appendectomy. We also found out that week that I could not do the 5 days of radiation and would have to do the traditional 7wks of radiation. My first surgery was not successful. I had to return for a second time as the margins were not clear on the first specimen. Also, during this time my husband of 15 years lost his 47yrs old brother suddenly. It was a very hard summer for us. We had also been planning a family vacation to visit my family in West Virginia that summer (before all this happened). My second surgery was scheduled the day before we were to leave town. So I did it. Had surgery on Tues and left town on Wed. evening. It was hard but I did not want to miss seeing my family during this difficult time. Our year got better. Finished my radiation without any delays in October 2005. I have had an additional biopsy since then but each have come back benign. I would be honored to support Breach Cancer Awareness by being Honory Bat Girl for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Mothers Day. We are planning to attend the game as they are giving away a pink bag..

My life has been touched by Breast Cancer several times over: My paternal grandmother, my mother and my best friend are all survivors of this insidious disease. In honor of them and all other victims and survivors of this terrible disease, I've devoted this year to pay tribute to them and will be walking this July in the Avon Walk for the Cure in S.F. I would be honored and humbled to further represent these brave women as a batgirl for the S.F. Giants. Together, we CAN make a difference... Together, we WILL make a difference!.

Only 6 motnhs ago my life the best. I had the best husband, two beautiful girls, a job I enjoy and great friends. After a breast exam completed by my doctor I was sent for a mammogram and ultrasound in early November. Per the results of the testing I was told I did not have breast cancer, nothing to worry about. I continued to have discharge from the breast so I saw my regular doctor and she sent me to a surgeon. The surgeon didn't believe there was any reason for concerned but decided to remove the duct that was causing the discharge and to do a biopsy. After the surgery the surgeon told my husband there was no cause for worry, she saw nothing unusual. Imagine my surprise when I was called on December 1st and told I had breast cancer. The cancer was DCIS, in the right breast, so my only option was a masectomy. Because the cancer was not found by the mammogram or the ultrasound I decided to have a bi-lateral masectomy. On Jan 6th I had my surgery and then a week later after the path reports came back I had to have a second surgery because they did not get it all the first time. My cancer was at a stage 0, if I had not trust my instincts I have no ideal how far the cancer would of spread before it was detected. I am fortunate that because I caught the cancer so early I have not had to have radiation or chemo. My last step is to complete my breast reconstruction. I tell everyone my story and tell them to be persistent, that they know their body and if they think something is not right, it probably isn't. I am grateful for everyday and my priorities have changed. I don't take any day for granted..