This event is held to bring attention to the needs of people affected by breast and ovarian cancer and to raise funds for Support Connection’s free counseling and other support services for those affected.
Mura was first diagnosed with breast cancer with she was only 24 years old. She found a small lump that her doctor told her not to worry about.
Nevertheless, she decided to see a surgeon, and with testing learned she had breast cancer. By the time she was 25, Andrea had been through a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy. Her family and her boyfriend, Pete (now her husband), were by her side the whole time, but Andrea still needed to talk with someone who’d been through it, too. She was introduced to another breast cancer survivor, Nancy Heller, Support Connection’s co-founder. Heller took Mura under her wing, listened to her and shared her own experiences. When Heller and a group of friends decided to plan the first Support-A-Walk in 1995, Mura was asked to participate and be a keynote speaker.
“When I was asked to speak, I was scared," said Mura. "But I was proud to be asked, and I really wanted to raise awareness, especially with young women.” Since then, Mura has been actively involved with Support Connection.
In 2008, she was diagnosed with breast cancer again, in her other breast. She opted for a double mastectomy. “I was totally comfortable with this decision,” Mura said. “When you have children, it’s different. You’re living for them. You do what will save your life.”
To learn more, to participate or donate visit www.supportconnection.org or call 962-6402.
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