Walking to fight breast cancer Walking to fight breast cancer (October 15, 2004)

Two locals walk to raise awareness, funds

By Huong C. Pham

Two Mountain View women are joining thousands of people across the country who are forging a battle to eradicate breast cancer.

Loretta Hyer, 49, and Sharon Durey, 45, who have defeated breast cancer with chemotherapy, are preparing to walk 60 miles starting on Oct. 15. The Breast Cancer 3-Day Walk will begin in San Mateo and end in San Francisco.

Participants are required to raise $2,000, which will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to fund breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

When Hyer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994, she was 39. Despite the devastating news, she was determined to stay positive and keep her composure. Her two daughters who were toddlers at the time made her even more determined.

"They had no idea what was happening," said Hyer. "But they have to come first."

Sharon Durey also has two daughters who are a motivation for her fight against breast cancer.

Durey was diagnosed when she was 43. She was taken aback when the bad news was delivered -- she had no one in the family who had breast cancer, nor does she have any risk factors.

"This can turn your life upside down," said Durey. "Don't think it can't happen to you."

The Komen Foundation has reported that about 215,990 women in the U.S. are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,110 will die from the disease this year.

Both Hyer and Durey said they trained by walking a few miles every day.

"Being diagnosed isn't a death sentence," said Durey. "You can overcome it and go on to have a happy, fulfilling life. Be aware, get your mammogram and check yourself."

E-mail Huong Pham at hpham@mv-voice.com

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