Georgia breast cancer survivors celebrate their journeys to recovery

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and survivors recently gathered at City of Hope Atlanta in Newnan to mark their journey to recovery.

Lucy Gibbs said she discovered a lump on her own and was later diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer.

“Finding out that I had cancer was very scary,” Gibbs said. “It took a day or two to really find the strength to be able to talk about it.”

Gibbs said surviving breast cancer was not only about finishing treatments, but also about spending time with family and still getting to experience everyday moments.

“I’m grateful that I can still go to my son’s football games,” Gibbs said. “I’m making sure I go to the practices and give the team their Gatorade and their pickles.”

The celebration last week allowed Gibbs to stand beside other survivors who understand what it took to get there.

“You have to keep living,” Gibbs said. “I’ve got three kids and a job, a husband, a family that loves me. I have to be here. So I have to keep going.”

Eligible women can receive free breast and cervical cancer screenings through Georgia’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Partner Program. To support the breast cancer community in Georgia, visit the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer’s website to learn about upcoming events and opportunities.