By Kaley Willis
Reporter
SULPHUR, Louisiana,
U.S.A. – It’s October, that time of year when crisp, brown leaves tumble to the
ground, children dress up in their scariest costumes to beg for a sugar rush and
breast cancer awareness is buzzing through the air all over the country.
U.S.A. – It’s October, that time of year when crisp, brown leaves tumble to the
ground, children dress up in their scariest costumes to beg for a sugar rush and
breast cancer awareness is buzzing through the air all over the country.
Citizens around the
nation are doing their part for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. High
school football teams are wearing pink on Friday nights, people of all ages are
participating in walks to raise awareness, and here in Louisiana, the Queen of
Pink organization is busier than ever.
nation are doing their part for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. High
school football teams are wearing pink on Friday nights, people of all ages are
participating in walks to raise awareness, and here in Louisiana, the Queen of
Pink organization is busier than ever.
Queen of Pink is made
up of women of all ages who join forces to raise awareness and money for breast
cancer patients. Every month, a donation is made by the “queens” to a woman
battling the disease to help her with expenses of treatment and everyday struggles.
up of women of all ages who join forces to raise awareness and money for breast
cancer patients. Every month, a donation is made by the “queens” to a woman
battling the disease to help her with expenses of treatment and everyday struggles.
For the month of
October, we picked a very special woman, Corky Craft of Lake Charles. The
Queens of Pink gave her a check for $500 at the Ragley Heritage and Timber
Festival on Oct. 20.
October, we picked a very special woman, Corky Craft of Lake Charles. The
Queens of Pink gave her a check for $500 at the Ragley Heritage and Timber
Festival on Oct. 20.
Craft, who was diagnosed
with Stage I breast cancer just two months before, has not been totally
affected by everything yet.
with Stage I breast cancer just two months before, has not been totally
affected by everything yet.
“I start chemotherapy
for the first time next week, but it is just for prevention since the cancer
hasn’t spread to my lymph nodes,” she said. “I’ve already had a surgery, but I
didn’t have a mastectomy, I had a lumpectomy. Other than just being very sore,
I haven’t had to alter anything in my life just yet.”
for the first time next week, but it is just for prevention since the cancer
hasn’t spread to my lymph nodes,” she said. “I’ve already had a surgery, but I
didn’t have a mastectomy, I had a lumpectomy. Other than just being very sore,
I haven’t had to alter anything in my life just yet.”
As the director of education
at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and a longtime employee of McNeese State
University’s nursing department the diagnosis came as a big surprise to Craft,
a mother of three.
at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital and a longtime employee of McNeese State
University’s nursing department the diagnosis came as a big surprise to Craft,
a mother of three.
“I was kind of shocked
and just really surprised to learn that I have cancer. I’ve never had any cysts
or anything like that. I remember that I had great-grandmothers who had it, but
nobody else in the family had breast cancer, or any type for that matter.”
and just really surprised to learn that I have cancer. I’ve never had any cysts
or anything like that. I remember that I had great-grandmothers who had it, but
nobody else in the family had breast cancer, or any type for that matter.”
Despite this, Craft
remains a hardworking woman who is optimistic in the face of misfortune.
remains a hardworking woman who is optimistic in the face of misfortune.
“I’m really positive.
I have a wonderful surgeon and a wonderful oncologist. I’m so glad that this
treatment is just for prevention. I’m happy I’m going to live a healthier
lifestyle.”
I have a wonderful surgeon and a wonderful oncologist. I’m so glad that this
treatment is just for prevention. I’m happy I’m going to live a healthier
lifestyle.”
One thing is certain: Craft
is an inspirational woman. She describes her concerns and hopes for the future
to be simply for this to not reoccur.
is an inspirational woman. She describes her concerns and hopes for the future
to be simply for this to not reoccur.
The Queens of Pink
hope to be able to help many more women like her through their battles, and
that one day, a cure is found.
hope to be able to help many more women like her through their battles, and
that one day, a cure is found.
“I am just thrilled
that Queen of Pink selected me and I hope that I can help out next year and
continue to be a supporter of them. I am going to encourage everyone I know to
get a mammogram every year,” said Craft.
that Queen of Pink selected me and I hope that I can help out next year and
continue to be a supporter of them. I am going to encourage everyone I know to
get a mammogram every year,” said Craft.