Deborah H. Hayes

My cancer journey began at age 40. I felt a lump under my right arm with very mild pain while at my sorority's convention in Orlando, Florida. I made an appointment to see my friend, a breast surgeon as soon as I returned. After an examination, I was scheduled for a biosypy the next morning. While in surgery, my doctor sent specimen to lab for immediate results, which confirmed, malignant. Therefore, in order to eliminate anymore surgeries, she immediately performed a lumpectomy with a lymph nodes dissection, where 2 were positive. I went through 4 rounds of intense chemotherapy and 6 weeks of radiation.

Fast forward to 2007, where I was diagnosed with AGAIN, same breast, with Triple Negative Breas t Cance

and no lymph nodes involved. This time, I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and

6 treatments of chemotherapy.

I am doing really well today despite the chemotherapy weaken my heart muscles, and I had to have an

implanted pacemaker/defibrillator.

As a matter of fact,because of my commitment to working to eradicate this disease through several non-profits, I was selected as 1 of 5 Ga breast cancer survivors to be honored with a spa day,

dinner, and presented on the football field, sponsored by the Atlanta Falcons!! #RiseUp!