KATHY HOWA

When were you diagnosed, what action did you take, where were you treated?
I was diagnosed on August 23, 2002 by a routine check-up mammogram at St. Mark's Hospital in Holladay, Utah. I then was refereed to the University of Utah where Dr. Edward Nelson performed a lumpectomy on my right breast. The diagnosis came back as invasive ductal carcinoma and was in three lymph nodes. Further test showed that it hadn't spread anywhere else. I had 8 treatments of chemotherapy with Dr. John Ward, at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, and 35 treatments of radiation, in September, almost five years ago!

What does breast cancer mean to you?
A speed bump in the road of life that can be conquered with a great attitude and love of life!

How important is it to you to raise awareness of breast cancer?
This awareness is where it's at! This is how all of us can save our life! I am a Physical Education Teacher and Coach. I am also in charge of all the high school softball teams in the state. With this resource, I have committed to teach as many young people about early awareness as I can. With this Swing for Life, we have reached kids all over the state. I have mostly tried to ease their fright with presentations at our school. My dream is to meet Oprah Winfrey, Ellen Degeneres, and Melissa Etheridge to spread the word nationwide.

Are you excited to be our featured survivor at Miller Motorsports Park for the Utah Grand Prix?
I can't think of a better honor that to first of all be a survivor! I am one of the lucky one's to be given their life back and feeling healthy. I am also honored to be able to represent our state in an event honoring survivors. Wow! The Utah Grand Prix, and getting to meet a race car driver, I think that is incredibly exciting. I made a promise after my recovery, that I would do anything I could to make this easier for someone else that may have to go through it. This event will hopefully open the eyes of a lot of people to get involved as best they can.

Please tell us a little bit about the battle that you fought for breast cancer. What is the best thing that has happened to you because of breast cancer?
After hearing the news, it takes you a little while to adjust. I am a competitor and a fighter. This decease took my past but it will not take my future! I live life in a different way. Slow down, enjoy the sunshine, and take every moment to stop and smell the roses. This may sound like a soap box but it is the honest truth, as human beings we don't step up until things happen to us. My partner, family, and school were the reason that I only missed 13 days of work including my surgery through the entire treatment. It was tough, don't get me wrong but you have to be a fighter! Losing my hair was the worst day of all of it.

Please tell us a little bit about where you are in your life now!
I am the founder of Swing for Life Inc. A breast cancer hit a thon put on statewide with high schools, middle schools, and elementarys. Including corporations that have now jumped on board. It started out with a spur of the moment idea with 3 teams and now has over 40 high school teams involved. We have raised over $170,000 for breast cancer research. This is taking up a lot of my life as I have a great passion for it. I believe it is making a difference in finding a cure for breast cancer. I am five years out and feeling great. I love my job and family and totally happy being alive to hopefully make a difference in someone else's life.

Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you along the way?
Kendra Tomsic, Athletic Director at Rowland Hall St. Mark's School. She was by my side every step of the way making sure I didn't lose my fight for life. My 82 mother who is a rock and a 43 year survivor, never let me take an inch.

Are there any quotes, verses, or inspiring thoughts that you have lived by through this process that you would like to share?
Breast Cancer can interrupt your life but it cannot take your future! I make a difference in others lives.

04.26.08 Charlie norman waco, tx. "My battle with breast cancer was a battle that I did not fight alone, my family and friends were very supportive and my GOD was with me every step of the way." -Charlie Read more of her story here...

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