Letters to the Editor

The readers’ forum

Walk to eradicate breast cancer

 

Two years ago, I heard two of the scariest words a woman will ever hear: breast cancer. My world felt like it was going to come crashing down.

But then, I found hope. I joined the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, an inspirational 5K walk, which takes place every October in our community to raise awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. Through my participation, I’ve met dozens of other breast-cancer survivors in all stages of treatment, many who have gone on to live long and fulfilling lives.

I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer and faced it head on and as aggressively as my body could take it. It was important to me to fight with all my might to increase my chances of survival and be alive to see my daughters become happy, independent adults. They lost their father to cancer when they were young, so I decided to fight back.

I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Yes, it was difficult, but thanks to the tests and treatments that we have access to today, I am cancer-free and celebrating life every day.

Seeing other survivors at the walk gives me the confidence that we will defeat the disease.

More than 178,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and more than 40,000 will die from the disease.

I am lucky to be one the survivors, and I walk because I don’t want my daughters, Camille and Tabitha, to ever hear the words, “You have breast cancer.”

At 9 a.m., Oct. 13, I plan to be beside fellow survivors, friends and family at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Miami’s Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40th St., Miami. I urge everyone in South Florida to join me, Miami-Dade Deputy Mayor/County Manager Alina Hudak, who serves as the 2013 event chair, and breast cancer survivors: “Put on your pink bra” and make strides toward a future where breast cancer no longer exists.

Bibiana Salmon, breast-cancer survivor

and community advocate,

Miami

Read more Letters to the Editor stories from the Miami Herald

  • The readers’ forum

    Screening tests unfair to some students

    Re Eduardo Padron’s May 19 Other Views article, Pell grants for poor students can change lives so let’s fix the system, not dynamite it: Padron, the president of Miami Dade College, takes issue with a report that the National Center on Education and the Economy recently issued.

  • Protect foster kids

    I recently completed 57 months as a house parent in a residential-care home for foster children in Key West.

  • Where was Obama during attack?

    On five Sunday television talk shows, the Obama administration sent out senior advisor Dan Pfeiffer to downplay the three recent scandals: AP, IRS and Benghazi. His claim that the still-unanswered question of where President Obama was and what he did was irrelevant, since Obama was in contact with his staff, was particularly outrageous.

Miami Herald

Join the
Discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere on the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

The Miami Herald uses Facebook's commenting system. You need to log in with a Facebook account in order to comment. If you have questions about commenting with your Facebook account, click here.

Have a news tip? You can send it anonymously. Click here to send us your tip - or - consider joining the Public Insight Network and become a source for The Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

Hide Comments

This affects comments on all stories.

Cancel OK

  • Videos

  • Quick Job Search

Enter Keyword(s) Enter City Select a State Select a Category