Meet Baltmore Co. Making Strides Faces of Hope Breast Cancer Survivor

The American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk of Baltimore takes place Saturday, October 21, 9am, at Camden Yards Sports Complex, Lot C. We are proud to recognize Making Strides participant and breast cancer survivor Melissa Lees as one of the event's Faces of Hope ambassadors and thank her for allowing us to share her journey to inspire other survivors and those who have friends or family diagnosed with breast cancer. To learn more or register for Making Strides of Baltimore, go to: http://www.makingstrideswalk.o....

Anita Atkins was diagnosed in 2009 at age 45, thanks to an annual exam. She was not satisfied with the treatment plan she was given, so she sought a second opinion and changed providers.

Although she was very frightened when she began treatment, she says, “I thank God in all that I had to go through in the process. I had breast cancer, but breast cancer didn't have me. I praised my way through the journey!”

Her experience inspired “the desire to help someone else as they travel along the way,” says Anita. “Then I know that my living will not be in vain. We are in this to win this! I want to serve in any way.”

Anita says she joined Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, “because it is such a worthy cause and because I want to let others know that early detection saves lives and don't wait or hesitate. I am a living testimony to God's miracles, signs, and wonders.

“I want to inform all women to get your mammograms done annually or right away if you feel any unusual lumps in your breast and especially those women for whom this disease runs in your family history.

For more information about breast cancer, see www.cancer.org/breastcancer