Olivia B. Alston aka " Legs "  obalston@netscape.net    Originally from Benton Harbor, Michigan, Olivia B. Alston has resided in the Atlanta area for fifteen years. She and her twin brother are the youngest of her 3 siblings. She is single and does not have children. Olivia is a proud graduate of Lincoln University of Missouri, where she earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology. Additionally, she received a master's degree at Clark Atlanta University. Olivia owns and operates Sugar N' Spice Parties for children. The journey through breast cancer began for Olivia in 2003 at age 33. She way lying on the bed and for no apparent reason felt her left breast. She, like most 30 something's, had never done a breast self exam. The no apparent reason was later attributed to God's divine intervention. She felt something unusual, a hard lump. The next day she made an appointment to visit and internal medicine doctor. This was her first visit to this particular doctor's office. The meeting could be described as rocky at best. She was left in the waiting area for over 1 hour before being put in a room. Upon getting in a room she then waited another hour. After deciding enough was enough Olivia put her clothes on and proceeded to leave, being followed closely by a nurse calling her name and telling the doctor Ms. Alston is leaving. The doctor immediately said "if you will stay I can see you now." This doctor would later become one of her biggest supporters and advocates. She referred Olivia to the Breast Care Specialist office. The mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy revealed the unthinkable (for her). You have breast cancer. Olivia underwent a lumpectomy and radiation to treat her cancer. When she returned the following year in 2004 for her annual mammogram she was told the cancer has returned in the same breast. She underwent a full mastectomy and a breast expander was implanted to prepare for reconstructive surgery later. Olivia describes her journey though breast cancer as the most life altering event of her life. She learned of her mental, physical and spiritual strength, faith, power, prayer and the love of family, friends and strangers. Email Olivia at:  obalston@netscape.net

Patrice L. Crofton   aka " Enforcer / Regulator "   isurvivedcancer@comcast.net      On September 21, 2001 at the age of 41, Patrice and her Breast Cancer journey began. Prior to going home to Louisiana to celebrate her 41st birthday with her parents and family, she regularly did self breast exams. She discovered a lump in her left breast around the 4 to 5 o’clock position and a lump under her left armpit. Being the strong person that Patrice is, she decided to schedule an appointment with her primary doctor after her trip back from Louisiana. Her flight back to Florida from New Orleans on September 11, 2001 was interrupted due to attacks on the United States. Patrice ended up driving back to Florida after staying a couple more days with her family in Louisiana.   She saw her primary doctor a couple of days after returning back to Florida. Her doctor ordered a baseline mammogram after performing a routine exam in her office. The baseline mammogram results were negative and did not pick up on the lump in the left breast or under the left armpit.   Patrice stopped at nothing and requested that her primary doctor order an ultrasound test because she knew that there was indeed something going on and she did not take the mammogram results lightly. The results of the ultrasound were positive and both lumps were found.   She had a Lumpectomy and 6 months of Chemotherapy along with 3 months of Radiation Treatments after an Invasive Stage 3A Diagnosis. The tumor was more than 5 cm, the Lymph Nodes in the armpit contained cancer and were stuck together, but there was no further spread.   Her parents were her caregivers along with her siblings, other family members and very close friends from near and far. Chemotherapy was very mean and aggressive, but Patrice fought back and won. Radiation Treatments were not as harsh, but made her very tried and weak.   After a grudging 9 months, Patrice was back to work. She continued her love of traveling near and far and vowed to continue to Live, Love and Laugh as she did prior to her being diagnosed with Breast Cancer for the first time.      For over five years, Patrice’s mammograms showed no sign of alarm until December, 2006. A mass was found in her right breast at that time. The doctor’s recommended that she return in six months for further testing. Testing began in June, 2007 and ended in July, 2007. Patrice was diagnosed with Breast Cancer again, this time in the right breast.   On August 7, 2007 she chose to have a Bilateral Mastectomy with Breast Reconstruction Surgery.  Patrice returned back to work in January, 2008 after recovering for a total of five months.  She did not have to have Chemo or Radiation this time, but she had to endure other set backs from the surgery. Patrice is back on her motorcycle along with her BRA sisters in educating young women on the importance of Breast Cancer and learning to know their bodies.   Patrice is the baby and the boss of four siblings (Parents are deceased) and is happily single with no children, but she adores her nieces, nephews and God-children.   Email Patrice at:   isurvivedcancer@comcast.net

Phyllis Western aka " B " pwestern@worldnet.att.net    When I was diagnosed with melanoma in 1993 I wasn't too surprised. As an avid sun worshipper, I was paying the price for all of the time I had spent in the sun and on the water over the years. I was very fortunate that this cancer was caught early and that the only treatment was surgery (and, ofcourse, changing my "sun" habits). However when I was told almost 5 years ago that I had breast cancer, I am sure the patients in the waiting area at my doctor's office could hear me screaming. I was stunned and so unbelievably mad that this was happening to me! I thought I had done everything right.....never smoked, was never overweight, was very careful with my diet, exercised constantly and there was no history of breast cancer in my family. A mammogram discovered that I had a "suspicious area" in my right breast. A lumpectomy confirmed that it was cancer. I had a mastectomy and was told that my cancer was stage 3B and that nine lymph nodes were positive. I had six months of chemotherapy and 25 radiation treatments. The chemo was extremely hard on my bones and I now suffer from osteopenia as well as lymphedema. This past July a mammogram once again discovered that I had breast cancer. This time it was in my other breast. This cancer was unrelated to my first breast cancer. I have had a lumpectomy and am awaiting further surgery as well as 5 weeks of radiation. I have lived in Peachtree City with my husband, Vern, and my son, Craig, for over 12 years. I have been fortunate that both breast cancers have occurred while living in PTC because the people in this city have shown me amazing support! I have been blessed with the most incredible friendships during this "journey" and their prayers and support have kept me positive and focused. I am often seen walking my dog through my neighborhood or exercising at World Gym. Exercise is my therapy and I continue to work out as often as I can!   Email Phyllis at:  pwestern@worldnet.att.net

Self Breast Exams Saves Lives...

Conquer Your Fear To Become Stronger!

BikersRidingForAwareness