Recently I had the chance to interview Terri Swain with the Susan G. Komen Dallas County Affiliate. She has an amazing story, and her team 1:11 Lauri’s Angels (which was created in memory of her sister) will be participating this October 17 in the Race for the Cure.
One thing that continually impresses me is the resiliency in people’s lives as they battle with breast cancer. And each time I hear a story about breast cancer I am reminded of just how common it is in more people’s lives than one often imagines. Check out Terri’s story below, and see how you can get involved by participating, encouraging, financially supporting, etc.
Rhett: Terri, can you tell me what your official role with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is, and how did you get involved?
Terri: I am a Director on the Board of the Susan G. Komen Dallas County Affiliate. I have been on the Board of Directors for four years. I have served as the Race Chair for the 2008 race and the 2009 race. These are both volunteer positions. After going through all my experiences with breast cancer, I really wanted to serve in a leadership capacity. Through various contacts I had, I was able to be interviewed and selected for work on the Board.
Rhett: I read on your team bio that your team compromises friends and family, who are running in honor of your sister Lauri who passed away two years ago from breast cancer. If you don’t mind, can you share a bit about her experience and how that influenced you to get involved in what you are doing now?
Terri: In 1998, when my sister Lauri Campbell was 35 years old, she was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. She was living in South Carolina. I had participated in Race for the Cure events since 1992 because I was an avid walker/exercise enthusiast and always believed it was a great cause. However, it became VERY PERSONAL for me when Lauri was first diagnosed. That year, I RAN my first Race for the Cure (instead of my usual walking). I figured if my sister could endure 8 rounds of chemo, surgery and 40 rounds of radiation, I could run a simple 5K. I went there by myself and it was a very emotional day for me. I looked at the race from a whole new perspective that year – I was part of the breast cancer family. In 1999, we celebrated my sister’s survivorship with all my family – my mother, three sisters and young nieces flying to Dallas and participating in the Komen Dallas Race for the Cure. It was a time of celebration and triumph. We were through with breast cancer but it was not through with us. In 2002, I was diagnosed with breast cancer – now breast cancer and our family were getting REALLY PERSONAL. Again, a valiant battle was fought and a Breast Cancer survivor – ME! – emerged. I was lucky in that my lump did not look Continue Reading…
