Rebecca DiPiazza Rawson was just 24 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
"It was like I was facing my own mortality," says Rebecca.
Rebecca underwent two surgeries, nine rounds of chemotherapy, and 36 rounds of radiation.
"I had a wonderful group of girlfriends who came with me to treatments, sat with me, cried with me, cut my hair...It was just survivor mentality. You just go into what you have to do to survive."
Today Rebecca is almost three years out from her diagnosis. She sits on the board of Susan G. Komen For a Cure to help raise funds and awareness.
In this month of October, the awareness push has been greater than ever before. Birmingham and Trussville are just two cities that have gone pink, and the NFL is sporting pink attire.
Rebecca is grateful for the increased efforts.
"And that reminds one more woman to get a mammogram, then thats wonderful."
That heightened awareness translates into big bucks as well.
Last weekend the Susan G Komen Race For the Cure in Birmingham had 14,000 participants, that's a thousand more than last year.
The fundraising effort is up too, not only in dollar amount, but also in number of donations.
"We know ten people who can give $10, and to give $100 dollars...that pays for a woman to get a mammogram in the state of Alabama."
While research is important, Rebecca says early detection is key.
"I know alot of women who don't want to get mammograms because they hurt, but I promise you, breast cancer hurts more."
