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Survivors and supporters are Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Editor’s note: This story was updated to reflect changes to one associated story.

Last year, an estimated 288,130 American women began the battle of their lives when their doctors told them they had some form of breast cancer. In the same year, about 39,520 women died from the disease.

And, just like you, not one of them believed it would happen to them.

They were healthy, exercised and ate well, and still were diagnosed. They were young and active with children to care for, and still were diagnosed. They did regular self-exams and had annual mammograms, and still were diagnosed.

“How could I have cancer?” survivor Katherine Burgess asked. “But that goes to show you it can happen to anyone.”

For each of them, that diagnosis was a first step into the unknown, into treatment, into a sisterhood of women sharing the experience; toward recovery, toward remission, toward the future regardless of what it holds.

Over the next two weekends, thousands of women who have survived and are surviving breast cancer will continue to fight the disease by raising money through a series of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks.

Proceeds from walks throughout the suburbs help the American Cancer Society fund research into prevention, treatment and possible cures, as well as support programs for patients and families.

Joined by family, friends and supporters, the survivors will walk as a testament to hope and strength and belief. They’ll walk to inspire the women who’ve just “joined the club.” They’ll walk to honor the loved ones who fought and lost.

And they’ll walk to celebrate that they are here to walk, to hug their husbands, to hold their child’s tiny hand in their own, to see tomorrow.

Today, as they prepare to walk in Making Strides events, 10 women tell us about their diagnoses and their fights with breast cancer.

<h3 class="briefHead">Tammy Lonsberry, South Elgin</h3>

Tammy Lonsberry of South Elgin is walking in her third Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event and marking the third anniversary since her breast cancer diagnosis. She “fought like a girl” and is a survivor. She walks as a way to support the American Cancer Society and to give back to an organization that helped her and millions like her. Tammy’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Patty Oskorep, Elk Grove Village</h3>

Patty Oskorep of Elk Grove Village was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at the age of 43. With two young boys, 8 and 11 at the time, she had no choice but to fight and was not about to dwell on the negative. She decided to celebrate each step of the way, starting with a diagnosis party. Patty’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Rhoda Markowitz, Northbrook </h3>

Rhoda Markowitz of Northbrook is participating in and fundraising for Making Strides because she is a six-year bilateral breast cancer survivor who has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, multiple surgeries, genetic testing and physical therapy due to lymphedema. She is walking at Making Strides to celebrate her six-year “cancerversary,” to honor and walk side-by-side with other breast cancer survivors and supporters, and to remember friends who did not win their battle against this disease. Rhoda’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Susan Witwicki, Hoffman Estates </h3>

When the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk started in the Northwest suburbs, Susan Witwicki of Hoffman Estates knew she had no reason not to participate. She’s a six-year breast cancer survivor. “I now have four granddaughters and finding a cure is what drives me to raise more money each year,” she said. Susan’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Beth de Kruyff, Lisle</h3>

Beth de Kruyff of Lisle always has been a supporter of breast cancer funding, and when she was diagnosed in December 2009, finding a cure for breast cancer became even more important to her. Her sister, Pam, was diagnosed in December 2011, and with sadness in her heart, Beth is watching Pam follow in her footsteps. Beth’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Katherine Burgess, Hoffman Estates</h3>

Katherine Burgess of Hoffman Estates walks because she wants breast cancer to be eradicated in her lifetime. In September 2007, she retired after 34 years of teaching and was looking forward to the rest of life. She couldn’t believe she had been diagnosed with cancer because she’d religiously had annual mammograms and done self-examinations. “How could I have cancer?” she asks. “But that goes to show you it can happen to anyone.” Katherine’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Jennifer McDermott, Evanston</h3>

Jennifer McDermott’s main reason for walking in Making Strides is her 11-year-old daughter. Both her grandmothers and two aunts had breast cancer. The Evanston woman wants a cure found so that as her daughter grows up, she never will have to worry about being next. Jennifer’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Cara Novy-Bennewitz, Wilmette</h3>

Hearing you have cancer is hard enough without the added burden of trying to figure it all out — from where to start, who to see and what to do. While navigating her own cancer diagnosis in 2008, Cara Novy-Bennewitz kept thinking there had to be a better way to gather information, understand it and keep organized. She wrote a guide book to help other newly diagnosed patients and became a Medical Ambassador for the American Cancer Society. Cara’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Linda Karch, Arlington Heights </h3>

Linda Karch of Arlington Heights has taken part in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks for more than a decade. She walks for her family, for the friends she lost to the disease and to support the work of the American Cancer Society. Linda’s story.

<h3 class="briefHead">Lori Skipper, Joliet</h3>

Last year, at 35 years old, Lori Skipper of Joliet was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer that spread to all of her lymph nodes. For the second year, she’s walking in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer to bring awareness to the community and let them know you can get breast cancer at any age and to help raise money to help find a cure. Lori’s story.

Susan Witwicki, Hoffman Estates

Lori Skipper, Joliet

Patty Oskorep, Elk Grove Village

Cara Novy-Bennewitz, Wilmette

Jennifer McDermott, Evanston

Rhoda Markowitz, Northbrook

Tammy Lonsberry, South Elgin

Linda Karch, Arlington Heights

Beth de Kruyff, Lisle

Katherine Burgess, Hoffman Estates

  Participants — many in pink, the signature color in the fight against breast cancer — will walk over the next two weekends in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events to support those battling the disease, celebrate those who have emerged cancer-free and remember those taken by the disease. BILL ZARS/bzars@dailyherald.com, OCTOBER 2009
Walkers in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event often are moved to action by a loved one’s fight with the disease. Courtesy of the American Cancer Society
Over the next two weekends, thousands of breast cancer survivors and family members and friends who support them will unite for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks to benefit the American Cancer Society’s research and programs. Daily Herald File Photo
  For survivors, the Making Strides walks often are a celebration of their triumph over cancer and the life they have yet to live. BILL ZARS/bzars@dailyherald.com, OCTOBER 2009

If you go

If you go

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks are scheduled throughout the suburbs to benefit the American Cancer Society’s research into cures and treatments, as well as its programs, to support patients and families. Registration is $25 in advance, $30 at the walk. For information, visit makingstrides.org.

Making Strides-Fox ValleyWhen: 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14Where: Chicago Premium Outlets, 1650 Premium Outlets Blvd., Aurora

Making Strides-Northwest SuburbanWhen: 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 14Where: AT&T Campus, 2000 W. AT&T Center Drive, Hoffman Estates

Making Strides-ChicagoWhen: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20Where: Montrose Harbor, Montrose Avenue and Simonds Drive, Chicago

Making Strides-RockfordWhen: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20Where: Martin Park, 5600 Park Ridge Road, Loves Park

Making Strides-DuPage CountyWhen: 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21Where: Cantigny Park, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton

Making Strides-Lake CountyWhen: 7:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21Where: Independence Grove, 16400 Buckley Road, Libertyville

Making Strides-North ShoreWhen: 8 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21Where: Westfield Old Orchard mall, 4999 Old Orchard Center, Skokie

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