Chaple recognized as Angels' honorary bat girl

ANAHEIM -- Debbie Chaple of Riverside, Calif., who has completed six three-day walks for Breast Cancer Awareness, and earned $50,000 for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, was introduced as the Angels' Honorary Bat Girl before Sunday afternoon's game against the Astros at Angel Stadium.

She has been a breast-cancer survivor since February 2004. Chaple underwent a double mastectomy and 18 weeks of chemotherapy in 2004. Since then, she's endured other surgeries as the cancer has spread. Included was the insertion of a metal rod in her right leg, from hip to knee.

Chaple also has a charity, Debbie's Gift , that raises money through golf tournaments. Proceeds are used to teach youth how to play golf, as well as providing a set of clubs, and also to award 12 $500 scholarships to high school seniors.

"My husband, Chuck, has stood by me through the whole process," she wrote in her winning, Honorary Bat Girl application. "It is very hard at times, but we continue to go forward. We use travel and sports to forget about cancer for awhile."