9 ladies share stories of breast cancer diagnoses, battles

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

For nine women facing breast cancer, support from Power of Pink means more than just financial assistance — it is a reminder that they do not have to face the physical, emotional and financial challenges of cancer alone.

The organization, which supports women battling breast cancer, selected nine Pink Ladies this year to receive funds. Their personal testimonials detail the unexpected diagnoses, difficult treatment decisions, faith, family support and determination that have shaped their journeys.

The experiences vary, from women who discovered cancer during routine mammograms to those who pursued additional testing after recognizing that something was wrong. Several described how quickly life changed after receiving a diagnosis, while others reflected on the importance of early detection and the people who stood beside them throughout treatment.

For Gee Cee Grimsley, 64, the process began with a regularly scheduled mammogram Sept. 22, 2025. After additional imaging and five biopsies, she and her family received the diagnosis Nov. 4: ductal carcinoma in situ with triple-negative breast cancer.

Within days, Grimsley underwent additional testing to determine whether the cancer had spread and whether her heart was strong enough for chemotherapy. Treatment began Nov. 18, with weekly sessions expected to continue through late March or early April. Surgery and radiation were also part of the treatment plan she outlined in her testimonial.

The experience has created physical, emotional and financial challenges, particularly because she is no longer able to work.

Grimsley expressed gratitude to the employees at her veterinary clinic who nominated her for Power of Pink, as well as the family and friends who have supported her.

“I thank God everyday for all my family and friends that have been by my side and continued to pray for me everyday,” she wrote.

She added that organizations such as Power of Pink provide hope to women facing breast cancer.

For Tracey Howard, the diagnosis came July 9, 2025, when she read her biopsy results through an online patient portal. The results showed invasive lobular carcinoma in her left breast.

Howard, who has been married for 26 years and has seven children and eight grandchildren, initially struggled to believe the results were correct. She sought a second opinion at the University of Kansas hospital, where testing confirmed the diagnosis.

She underwent a lumpectomy Sept. 15, followed by 15 radiation treatments. Her treatment plan also included hormone-related medication and a hysterectomy scheduled for March 5, 2026, according to her account.

As a wife, mother, grandmother and longtime caregiver, Howard said accepting help from others has been one of the lessons of her cancer journey.

“I don’t like having to be the patient or the person who needs any help,” she wrote.

Despite the uncertainty that remains, Howard said she is determined not to allow cancer to take more of her happiness.

“I feel like that all cancer survivors have this fear that I am not going to let cancer steal any more of my joy than it already has!” she wrote.

Tina Collier, 53, described a different path to diagnosis. After experiencing unusual fatigue and a hemorrhage in her left eye in October 2024, she sought medical attention and questioned bloodwork that showed an elevated white blood cell count. When she continued to feel that something was wrong, she scheduled a mammogram herself.

Additional imaging and biopsies eventually revealed stage 3, grade 3 triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.

Collier underwent a double mastectomy in February 2025 and subsequently completed five months of chemotherapy. She later underwent reconstructive surgery.

Throughout treatment, Collier continued to balance her responsibilities as a wife, mother and employer.

“Life doesn’t stop for cancer,” she wrote.

Collier credited her faith with helping her through treatment and said she found purpose in the people she encountered along the way.

“I know God has a reason for everything and placed people in my path through it all that I could share hope with and have Joy during this season,” she wrote.

Angela Woodward’s diagnosis came April 8, 2025, one day before her 49th birthday. What began as a routine mammogram led to an ultrasound and biopsy, all on the same day.

Woodward, a mother of two and grandmother of five, said her family history of cancer weighed heavily on her mind. She ultimately chose a double mastectomy and reconstruction after discussing her options and treatment plan.

Her treatment included hormone-blocking therapy intended to reduce the risk of recurrence. She also underwent a hysterectomy with removal of her ovaries because of other health considerations.

Woodward’s experience was also shaped by her son’s cancer journey two years earlier. Watching him undergo surgery and chemotherapy gave her a firsthand understanding of the uncertainty and challenges associated with treatment.

When she received her own diagnosis, she said she carried that experience with her.

Throughout her treatment and recovery, support from family, friends and other cancer survivors helped her maintain perspective.

“Breast cancer brought change into my life, but it did not define me,” Woodward wrote. “I stand as a testament that even in the hardest seasons, God is in control.”

Woodward also emphasized the importance of regular screenings and having a trusted medical team.

Andrea Sitzes described a diagnosis that developed into a more extensive battle than initially expected.

Sitzes had undergone multiple rounds of breast imaging and biopsies beginning in her early 30s after discovering lumps that were determined to be cysts. After a delayed annual mammogram, additional testing revealed cancer, and she was diagnosed March 7, 2025.

Initially diagnosed with stage 0 ductal carcinoma in situ, Sitzes said postoperative pathology revealed cancer cells throughout more than 60% of her right breast and a positive lymph node. Additional imaging raised concerns about possible spread to two other lymph nodes.

She subsequently completed 24 weeks of chemotherapy over eight sessions, followed by 15 radiation treatments.

Sitzes said she approached treatment with a structured exercise and wellness routine, completing consecutive days of the 75Hard and Phase 1 programs during chemotherapy and continuing with Phase 2 during radiation.

Her post-chemotherapy PET scan showed that the concerning lymph nodes were no longer measurable, according to her account.

Although she continues to navigate follow-up care and additional procedures, Sitzes said she is grateful for the opportunity to keep moving forward.

“Learning I had cancer saved my life and God is giving me a chance to live it,” she wrote.

Another recipient described discovering invasive lobular carcinoma in August 2025 after requesting answers from her doctor’s office about concerning test results. Further testing revealed stage 4 cancer that had spread to her spine.

The diagnosis was especially difficult to understand because the cancer was considered slow-growing, and she had not experienced symptoms that would have led her to suspect breast cancer. She also noted that she was younger than 40, an age at which yearly mammograms had not been recommended for her.

Now receiving ongoing medication and infusion treatments, she said she intends to continue fighting while looking toward milestones in her children’s lives and the possibility of someday spoiling grandchildren.

“I have kids, and I plan to watch them graduate, start their own lives and careers, and one day spoil my future grandkids,” she wrote.

Across the testimonials, the women described how cancer affected not only their health but also their families, employment, finances and sense of certainty about the future. They also repeatedly acknowledged the importance of people who offered prayers, encouragement and practical help.

For some, the experience meant learning to accept care after years of being the person others relied upon. For others, it reinforced the value of advocating for their health, seeking additional medical opinions or maintaining hope during treatment.

Power of Pink’s support offers assistance during a period when many patients face mounting demands and uncertainty. The recipients’ accounts reflect the different ways women navigate a breast cancer diagnosis, while sharing a common appreciation for the people and organizations that help them through it.

Their messages also extend beyond their own experiences, encouraging other women to pay attention to their health, seek answers when something seems wrong and recognize that support is available during difficult seasons.