Ondrea Shares Her Breast Cancer Survival Story (VIDEO)

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Diagnosed with a malignant lump one month past her 50th birthday, Ondrea, whose mother also had breast cancer, is now a four year survivor.

Ondrea:
Hi. My name is Ondrea Labella, and I am a 4-year breast cancer survivor. I found a lump via a mammogram one month after my 50th birthday, and I was devastated. My mother had breast cancer. I knew at some point in my life I would probably get breast cancer.

I had my children later in life, but nothing prepares you for that, that those words, "You have cancer." Fortunately, because I have been having routine mammograms, it was small, although very aggressive and I went through chemotherapy, six doses of chemotherapy, plus radiation therapy.

I lost all my hair, but I had a terrific support system in my family and in my work family. I was able to work all the way through my chemotherapy, and that was a terrific support to me. It gave me something else to focus on than having breast cancer.

And, while looking back, you know it’s something I never want to go through again, but it has changed me in such a profound way. I look at the world differently, I look at my friends differently, I look at my family differently. You know that in a moment it could all be gone, and so I am very thankful. I am very excited to be here.

This is a wonderful celebration of survivors and the support and the ability to raise money for breast cancer cure. I am very excited to be here, and I just want to say that you really, really, really need to get your mammograms. I am here to tell you that you can get through this if you catch it early.

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