Donna Farris

Donna Farris, 62, of Cape Girardeau, is a six-year survivor of breast cancer. She calls herself and other patients and survivors "pink warriors." Her triumph over the disease led her into a life filled with volunteer efforts to help others with cancer. • She is a retired union painter, a member of Saint Francis Medical Center Foundation's Pink Up Pals volunteer group and Reach to Recovery, a breast cancer support service through the American Cancer Society. Her family includes her husband Paul, three children and several grandchildren. Her hobbies are cooking, "trying to garden," water aerobics and walking her Jack Russell Terrier, Bella Rose.

__Tell us about your diagnosis -- when diagnosed, your reaction and past and current treatments.__

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer in November 2007. I had my right breast removed in January 2008. My initial reaction was an overwhelming fear that I'd die, and I wanted to live. The medical team I had, which were wonderful people, and I decided together what the treatment regimen would be. It would be four months of radiation and six months of chemo after my breast was taken off. I chose Saint Francis hospital because they are faith-based, and they have a wonderful team of doctors there. Tests for cancer markers after treatment showed a good level. I was cancer-free at the five-year mark, but I take a hormone blocker. I am good now, and I am very blessed.

__During your treatment, what did you need most from the people around you?__

The thing I can say most, you know, you need their support, their love and their understanding. It's really cliche, but it's the truth.

__What advice would you give to other patients?__

You have to be diligent about your own health. Do monthly checkups on your breasts yourself, and have your yearly mammography. I've always had yearly mammograms since I was 40. With my cancer, I did not have any idea that I might be sick until I got a call back after a mammogram. Also remember that hope is a much stronger emotion than fear. Cancer is beatable.

Are there any life goals you have reached because of your experience with cancer?

My faith is stronger, and what is most important to me other than my family and my friends is that I am a Reach to Recovery volunteer. I just want to be able to help someone else as they travel down that road of breast cancer. It's been one of my joys and sorrows that I have to do that, but if I can help in any way, that's my goal. I think it's what I was meant to do. It does my heart good to listen to someone else, and to give them information based on my experience. Sometimes there is something as simple as telling them not to use metal utensils during chemo -- it makes your food taste like metal. And drink lots of water after a chemo treatment. There are so many little things like that which make a difference in someone's life.

-- By Erin Ragan