By james art
HIALIA – Tracy Tynes-Horlback and her mother both had breast cancer.
She survived 13 years, but her mother died of it three years ago. She was inspired to do something about it.
“I knew that when I got stronger and got back on my feet, I would speak up and support other women who are talking about this disease,” Tynes-Horlback said.
She has been a regular at the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk and helped raise $16,000 this year.
“It means everything to me because as a survivor I know the challenges that women and even some men face,” she said.
More than 6,000 people participated in the walk Saturday at Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah. The goal is to raise $700,000. So far, they have already raised more than $500,000.
Lynette Hickenbottom also survives. Her daughter is now battling her second bout of breast cancer and is undergoing treatment. She said this kind of event highlights how often you need to check yourself.
“I’m getting mammograms now because I had cancer and I’m older,” Hickenbottom said.
Event organizers told CBS News Miami that more than 23,000 women in Florida will be diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 3,000 will die from the disease.
Dr. Susan Kesmodell, a breast surgical oncologist at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, said the condition can run in the family.
“They can inherit a gene mutation from a family member that increases their risk. And also women who just have a family history but don’t have the gene mutation are also at increased risk,” Kesmodell said.
CBS News Miami is a sponsor of the More Than Pink Walk, and CBS News Miami’s Lauren Pastrana was the emcee.
Steve Maugery
