Entertainment » Local Entertainment

Subscribe

Breast cancer walk emphasizes need for early detection

  • BY J.R. ORTEGA - JRORTEGA@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published October 13, 2009 at 5:42 p.m., updated October 14, 2009 at 9:05 a.m.

  • IF YOU GO

    WHERE: Grace Lutheran Church, 9806 Zac Lentz Parkway

    WHEN: Saturday, Walk begins at 10 a.m., luncheon at 11:30 a.m.

    CONTACT: To register for the luncheon or to find out more information on the event, call 361-572-5064.

Jaye Berger's bilateral mastectomy early this year may have taken something away, but it also gave her something in return - hope.

Berger, along with Bill Alex, the husband of a breast cancer cancer survivor, will tell their stories of survival at a Walk for Hope and breast cancer luncheon awareness event Saturday.

Breast cancer survivors wearing pink visors will kick off the walk at 10 a.m. at the Grace Lutheran Church.

Walkers will go through the Woodway subdivision and can choose between a one, two or three-mile walk.

Educational booths on support groups, self-mammogram demonstrations and information will also be available until the luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m, said co-chair Pam Matthys.

About 200 people are expected to attend the luncheon, Matthys said.

"We noted last year that at least half of the women out there were breast cancer survivors" she said. "Our mean is to get early detection across."

Berger agrees that early detection needs to be pushed, she said

"It was overwhelming," Berger, 45, said about the cancer experience.

Berger, who was diagnosed in December 2008, found out about her breast cancer through a routine mammogram, she said.

She wants others to see how keen the examinations are, she said.

"It's real important to go to those exams every year and then follow up with self examinations at home," she said.