Ask a random passerby on the street to identify the symbol associated with breast cancer awareness and you will likely get an answer involving a pink ribbon. That symbol has become synonymous with the disease and has been embraced in both social and business sectors. That doesn’t mean, however, the many people are able to look behind the ribbon to the people it represents. “October surrounds us with pink and we think a lot about pink items, events, and breast cancer,” explained breast cancer survivor Krystal Anderson. “I want to remind everyone that it isn’t just the pink; it’s the women living with cancer every day.”

Krystal was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 at the young age of 42. “My tumor was quite large because it was lobular, which a very small percentage of cancer is,” she said. “I went through chemo so they could shrink it and in May of 2008, I had a hysterectomy and bilateral mastectomy.” Since then, Krystal has undergone reconstructive surgery and despite a couple of scares, now enjoys a clean bill of health. “I am healthy and thankful for that every day.”

Krystal and fellow breast cancer survivor Stephenie Herbranson run the local chapter of Breast Friends, a support group dedicated to supporting women with the disease and raising awareness within the general public. Despite their clean bills of health, Krystal and Stephenie have stayed very active within the group. “It is important to stay involved to give women hope and the opportunity to speak to someone who has been through it,” Krystal explained. “I am thrilled about the outreach and emotional support we can provide, both financially and otherwise.”

Like Krystal, Stephenie has traveled the breast cancer road and come out on the other side. “I was diagnosed in July 2009 with stage 2b invasive duct carcinoma,” she said. “I had a mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and am on hormone therapy now.” Shortly after her diagnosis, a colleague suggested Stephenie attend a Breast Friends meeting. It was exactly what she needed. “The support I got was so helpful for the difficult treatment,” she explained. “Now to provide that to other women and help financially and morally is a natural calling – something I just have to do.”

Spreading awareness about breast cancer is a primary goal of Breast Friends, as is raising money for research and support. To that end, Breast Friends and the Moorhead Center Mall are sponsoring the 2nd annual “Surviving in Style” fashion show on October 10th at 11:00am. All of the models in the show will be breast cancer survivors or their family members. After the show, Vic’s Lounge will be sponsoring free burger baskets from 12:00-2:00pm. A free will donation to FM Breast Friends is suggested.

Last year’s inaugural fashion show was a big hit. “It is a fun way to celebrate being a survivor and bringing awareness into the community,” Stephenie said. The funds raised through the show are also vitally important. “We use the proceeds to educate and help women with things like treatments costs and trips to Mayo,” she explained. “We also provide scholarships for women to attend events like an upcoming Sanford Conference that will arm women with the information they need to fight the disease and live the best life possible.”

According to the American Cancer Society (ACA), breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women in the United States, second only to lung cancer. Fortunately, focused awareness on prevention has steadily decreased the number of women diagnosed each year. In addition, early detection has enabled an increased number of women to receive timely treatment and then continue leading healthy and full lives.

The ACA estimates that there are currently more than 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. It is a safe bet that most people know someone who has or has had the disease. It is pervasive and nondiscriminatory, attacking women regardless of race or age. “We have had women as young as 24 join our group and women in their sixties,” Stephenie said. “It is not just a disease for middle-aged women.”

It can be easy to shine a spotlight on something like cancer for a specific period of time. Those fighting the disease, however, do not get a reprieve. “I would ask people to be remember that women struggle with it (breast cancer) every day and not just in October,” Krystal espoused. Community support is a vital part of that struggle, and that support can start with the upcoming show. “The fashion show is a fun way to get involved in the community and celebrate survivorship,” Stephenie said.

The Surviving in Style fashion show will be held at the Moorhead Center Mall on October 10th at 11:00am. Additional information can be found at www.moorheadcentermall.com.

Specific information on FM Breast Friends is located at www.fmbreastfriends.com. The support group meets the first Wednesday of the month at the Moorhead Library. More information on cancer in general can be found at www.cancer.org.a