Beverly Waker

Ushers For A Cure by Urban Dance Website Publishing           

            Have you ever wondered "How Cancer Patients" feel? Most of the time a Cancer patient is wondering -- Will I wake up tomorrow? --Losing my hair that was growing for years. --Being depresses, feeling weak and nausea and having black finger nails.  What makes a Cancer survivor laugh, smile, and what makes a cancer patient want to continue to survive?  Well,  I am really grateful to my friends for this road trip to Chicago to be a part of the 2010 Breast Cancer Stepper's Dance Athon.  The ride was 3 hours long, but well worth the trip. The trip put a smile on my face.  It was very hard to relax the night before, because I really wanted to be in Chicago and I was so anxious to attend this year's event.  I did not know what would happen, because this Dance Athon was my first ever to attend.  I am a steppers with only a year experience in the dance. So, this trip is so very special to me, because I am a Detroit-Chicago style stepper who is a 5 year cancer survivor. 

            It is a rewarding experience to be a part of this successful event to fight against breast cancer.  Throughout my fight, I have learned that Family and Friends are very important factors in the fight for any survivor.  As a mother, it was very difficult for me to tell my children that I have been diagnosed with Cancer. I have three loving sons.  When I was diagnosed five years ago with Breast Cancer, I did not know how to explain it to my children.  My baby boy was in  High School on the basketball team.  I really did not want this to affect his grades in school. His team members and coach were all so very helpful and supportive to him. I even went to a few games and enjoyed seeing them play.  But, first, before I told my children (all 3 males ages 17, 24, 28), I had to get an understanding of cancer and my treatment to survive. I did my research with the materials that were offered by my doctors and I was determine to keep my appointments.  There were booklets that I studied and sat down with my family to get a response from what we've learned.  We read these  booklets together. It was the most difficult moment in my life to be able to explain Breast Cancer to my children and that I was a recipient of this deadly desease breast cancer.  I was only 44 years old when my doctors told me I had breast cancer.  It was very hard for me to believe, because there were no history of breast cancer in my immediate family. 

            I love steppin.... So this event "Steppin For A Cure" has been so special to me.  It is so important for us to find a cure and I can say for myself - that all of the efforts we put together can and have accomplished a cure to beat cancer.  I have experienced many of the new treatments developed and studied by my team of doctors.  I am so very happy to say that because of the many studies and donations today, I am still alive. 

            At this event, meeting the other cancer survivor was so very rewarding.  I enjoyed seeing other survivors, their energy and hearing of their enormus challenges.  My mother's brother's wife died of breast cancer after a three year long battle of radiation treatments and chemotherapy.  She was with me when I received my doctor's analysis.  I saw her struggle and how hard she fought.  She told me "Beverly, you are young and you are strong.  You can make it."  A niece on my ex-husband's side of the family, died this year after her long struggle with cancer.  There are so many people who are victims of cancer or you may know someone that have cancer or have died from this cancer desease.  You will never know-- If you will be that 1 in a million people who will survive.  As a believer, I know that God will not put no more on us then we can bare.  God is the author and the finisher of our faith.

            The end of the dance athon presentation was wam and welcoming.  The dance lasted 10 hours.  There were two people representing each team who volumteer to dance the entire session.  Denise and Gale our representitive dance the entire time.  I am so impressed by their determination.  Somewhat, like our survivors.  We are determined to fight until the end.  I have learned that stength can not only come from you, but you can gain strength from others.  During this month of October, Breast Cancer awareness month, it has uplifted the spirits of myself and many people who are battleing Cancer in their life or maybe know someone who is going through treatments.  It is important to have regular mamograms and breast examination by a medical physician.  Steppin is a way of enjoying life without worrying about the problems surounding us and being depressed.  As a cancer survivor, my challenges have not been too easy.  Everyday, many survivors have to accomplished the challenges ahead of them.  Many which are so difficult to bare.   

            Much Love and Peace to all-- Beverly Walker, 11/2010