Rhoda Markowitz, Northbrook: Cancer does not discriminate

Editor’s note: This story was updated to remove information unrelated to Rhoda Markowitz’s story.

I am participating in and fundraising for Making Strides because I am a six-year bilateral breast cancer survivor who has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, multiple surgeries, genetic testing and physical therapy due to lymphedema.

I am walking at Making Strides to celebrate my six-year “cancerversary,” to honor and walk side-by-side with other breast cancer survivors and supporters, and to remember my friends who, sadly, did not win their battle against this disease.

I am walking in Making Strides because I know the dollars raised by the American Cancer Society at this event not only will help other people diagnosed with breast cancer, but also will be used to fund research to find cures and better treatments.

I truly believe that by fundraising for this event, I am helping the 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in this country (including me) live to enjoy more “cancerversaries” or, as the American Cancer Society likes to say, more birthdays.

I started my own team with my daughter and son known as The Rack Pack. On the day of the event, my husband will join us for the walk. I hope my neighbors, many of whom already have donated, will join us.

I bought matching jackets and hats — with pink ribbons embroidered on the apparel — for all members of my family to wear. And I have plenty of pink ribbons to hand out on the day of the event.

The best part of walking in Making Strides is seeing everyone at the event wearing pink — pink ribbons or pink clothing or even pink hair — and feeling you are part of a community whose goal is to find a cure to end breast cancer.

Team: The Rack Pack

Walking in: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer North Shore