Breast cancer isn’t just a statistic. There are names, faces and stories attached to each diagnosis. It’s someone’s wife, mother, aunt, sister or friend. And it deeply affects the family members, friends and co-workers who love and support them.
North East ISD employees are strong in the face of many challenges. This is one of a series of articles this month that will highlight a few of NEISD’s own through their journey with breast cancer. Their stories are filled with hope and courage.
Rosemary Gonzalez has been teaching at Castle Hills Elementary School for 15 years. She loves her job and getting to work with her kindergarten students. But if you ask her, she might not have made it here if it wasn’t for one very special woman.
When Rosemary first started college, she lived with her aunt Lisa Gonzalez who not only supported her ambitions, but even helped pay for some of her classes. Her aunt also fostered Rosemary’s love of music. During this time, she took voice, guitar and dance lessons thanks to her encouragement.
Sadly, in 2013 Lisa was diagnosed with breast cancer after going in for a yearly mammogram.
We never want the people we love to get that news, but often it shows us how truly strong they and you can be. When her aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer, Rosemary knew she had to give emotional support to Lisa the same way that Rosemary had received it from her. And she did just that.
Lisa is a true testament to women around the world who remain strong, focused and driven to beat cancer for themselves and their loved ones. After her last chemotherapy treatment in August of 2013, Lisa was declared in remission.
Since then, she has participated yearly in Fun Runs and similar fundraising events to raise awareness for breast cancer. She is an advocate for Hispanic women and encourages them to use their voice to be active participants in their own medical care.
“Through my aunt's experience and advocacy for breast cancer awareness, I have become more conscious of keeping up with my own health,” said Gonzalez. “Her journey has taught me to value life and that spending time with my family is not only important, but priceless.”
Starting at the age of 45, women should get mammograms every year. This may need to occur sooner if you have other risk factors.
For more information on breast cancer awareness and research, visit cancer.org.
