Making Strides To Fight Breast Cancer

By Kendra Bobowick

Diana Paproski stood at the podium on September 14 at the Porsche/Audi/Volkswagen showroom in Danbury and told her audience, “My life is a gift.” More than two years have passed since her breast cancer diagnosis.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches in October, teams are coordinating for the annual American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Making Strides Against Breast Cancer fundraising effort, which has come to Danbury for the first time this year. The walk, which will take place on October 22 at Danbury Fair Mall, is now open to participants and sponsors in the greater Danbury area.

A featured speaker last week, Ms Paproski shared her experiences with breast cancer, treatment and survival, saying, “I look at life and people differently now. I see my students differently now,” the mother, wife, and teacher continued.

Cancer is only as far away as a neighbor, mother, or a teacher, like Ms Paproski.

At one time early in her treatment that eventually led to a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, Ms Paproski explained that a friend had contacted her with a comment she disbelieved when she first heard it.

“She told me that having breast cancer was going to be a gift in my life,” Ms Paproski explained. She would eventually agree with her friend.

“My story starts out of the blue,” she said. She detected no lumps, but had noticed some discharge.

“It was miniscule,” she said.

Testing followed.

“I was out shopping and got a phone call from my doctor who said, ‘Diana, you have cancer.’”

The news was abrupt.

She said, “I remember that I thought, my life is going okay, so this hit me like a ton of bricks. If it weren’t for the American Cancer Society, I don’t know where I would be.”

She was referring not only to the treatments and medical procedures, but the support. The ACS has a 24-hour hotline. Ms Paproski called the number following her diagnosis.

She describes a night of pacing, fear, and sleeplessness leading to her phone call.

“It was 4 am, and I called and talked to a wonderful woman who said to calm down, that I am not going to die tomorrow,” she said. She eventually got back to sleep, reassured.

“I had a lifeline when I needed one,” said Ms Paproski. Following that conversation she also was relieved to know that she had caught the cancer early.

“That’s not just treatable, that’s curable,” said Ms Paproski, who also spoke about the hope and importance of early detection as part of the kick-off evening last week. She explained that funds raised make the research and advancements possible for breast cancer treatment, including one of the newer drugs that is part of her recovery.

“The ACS is the nation’s largest private fundraiser for breast cancer research,” said ACS staff member Andrea Howatt, who has seen the society’s efforts at work.

Referring to the Strides walks Ms Howatt said: “You can see firsthand how the fundraising works. Making strides is more than a one-day event, it is a movement that is sweeping the nation.”

Robin Hillman of Hologic, a medical equipment manufacturing company, is a flagship sponsor behind the efforts of ACS.

Ms Hillman described the walk as a reminder of ongoing efforts to support cancer research, early detection, and treatment.

“The event is the culmination of another year of intense efforts,” she said. Her company produces equipment for biopsies, for example. She said, “We deal with the realities of breast cancer every day. We are all here because we want to make a difference.”

Prior to the featured speakers last week a brief video was screened, touting one message repeatedly, “Hope starts here.” Ms Paproski has found that message of hope in her two-year ordeal.

Remembering how she had at first been surprised that a friend would suggest the cancer was a gift in her life, Ms Paproski said, “And she was right.”

Within her circle of friends in Newtown are at least six women who she had urged to have preventative check-ups.

“They got checked early,” she said. Ms Paproski explained that several friends did find breast cancer, and that the early detection was important.

Speaking to the ACS members, sponsors, and potential Strides teams, she said, “I thank all of you for making a difference and I hope my daughters grow up with the difference.”

For 13 years a strides walk has taken place at Sherwood Island in Westport, and will take place again this year on October 15. The strides walk in Danbury will be on Sunday, October 22, with sign-ups at 8 am at the carousel food court. The walk, which will be outdoors rain or shine, begins at 8:30 am. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

Strides walk representative Louise Fornabaio said this walk “is meant to satisfy the needs of the greater Danbury area.”

Danbury Porsche/Audi/Volkswagen, which has partnered with ACS for the upcoming walk, will be donating $50 for each Audi sold.

For information, visit MakingStrides.ACSEvents.org or Cancer.org, or call 800-ACS-2345.