ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. — Many people don their pink during October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month but the fight against the deadly disease continues year-round.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
Saturday marks the first Susan G. Komen in-person MORE THAN PINK Walk.
It’s a time to celebrate the survivors, a chance to inspire those fighting and a chance to honor those we’ve lost.
“I think that the day of music and laughter and joy is just. We need that right now,” said Deborah Hausman.
Hausman has served as the chair of the event for the last two years.
READ: Breast Cancer Awareness: Risk factors you can and can’t control
But in 2022, she has a different title: survivor.
“It’s going to be emotional. You know, I’m brand new survivor. I’m still in some recovery and going through some oral chemo,” Hausman said.
Even before her diagnosis, Hausman served as an ally in the fight against breast cancer as a volunteer.
“I’ve put years but still get choked up. I put years of dedication to helping breast cancer patients throughout, you know, our country, but primarily Florida for the last six years,” she said.
READ: 9 things to do this weekend: Bike Week begins, MORE THAN PINK Walk and more
One of the reasons she’s done it is because of her unfortunate connection to the disease.
Her grandmother, mother and aunt also battled breast cancer.
“My mother, who will be walking with me for the first time at the MORE THAN PINK Walk this weekend, is 93 years old. She is a 53-year survivor and my aunt will be there and she is a 89 and a 39-year survivor,” Hausman said.
READ: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says First Lady Casey DeSantis is cancer-free
If you’d like to join Hausman, her mom and her aunt at this weekend’s walk or you would just like to donate, click here.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group