1. THE ESSENTIAL
PART OF LIFEAf:Tb:R LOSING Hb:R MOTHb:R TO BRb:AST CANCb:R.
ALICIA WALDb:N IS Db:Tb:RMINb:D TO RAISb: AWARb:Nb:SS ABOUT THIS CONDITION
by Aylin Sozen
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a a a 0 peacefully cope with a
sickness that causes mental
and physical pain and the
worst case scenario, death,
all while knowing that it is
inescapable can be one of
the most rigorous situations
in life. Unfortunately, this is the result of a fast spreading
disease, especially when it is found "too late," cancer. Though
the medical industry has not found a cure for breast cancer
victims just yet, researchers and well-practiced doctors are still
working efficiently with others to come up with a solution for the
disease and help those in need. Recent Trinity Christian Schools
graduate Alicia Walden has dedicated the last two summers to
the Texarkana Affiliate Susan G. Komen office which implements
holding fundraisers for breast cancer research, raising awareness
in women, and organizing the Race for the Cure®.
"In 2002, my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, and
she was in remission. It then metastasized to her brain, and we
lost her to breast cancer in 2004. I was 10 years old," Alicia said.
"I found out that Susan G. Komen has a scholarship they award
to students, and I got in contact with Terrie Arnold who runs
the office to see if there was anything I could do to volunteer
in hopes of getting the scholarship."
When Alicia's mom was diagnosed she was only 8 yet due
to the comfort and love from her grandparents, she was able to
get through a difficult situation, seeing her mother in her final
days. For her, it meant having to understand how it could be
from one short time period to another that her mother was up
and moving around as if she were perfectly well and so suddenly
seeing her several months later again straining w ith effort to
even sit or stand up out of a hospital bed. "I just thought, 'okay,
she's going to be sick for a while but she's going to get bener.'
which she did get bener e...-enrually bur then after remission all
of a sudden she was nor £eninz bener, and
hit me," Alicia said.
The summer of 2004, Alicia commuted
back and forth with her grandparents and
older brother from Mesquite, Texas, back
to Abilene, Texas, where she lived with her
grandparents due to the progression and
severity of her mother's illness. "My mom
really didn't want me around because she didn't want me to
see her like that when it got really bad," she said. "My step-dad
called my grandparents and said, 'She's not doing really well,
y'all need to bring everyone back this direction."' June 3 of 2004,
the family said their final goodbyes to one another.
"They never could really figure out if it was hereditary so
I know that I need to be watching out for it, and I know that
from working in the office, it's not just women 40 and above. My
mom was 39 when she died from breast cancer which is really
young because at age 40 you say 'okay, I should start getting
mammograms,'" she said. "There are younger women that need
to be aware, and I like the fact that they let people know you
need to start looking out for this, too. My mom didn't expect it.
and when she started experiencing the symptoms, she didn't
know what it was."
Determined to excel and make a difference amongst others.
Alicia continued to lead effectively through hard working ethi
as she proceeded through high school being on the cheer squad
and newspaper staff; she was also the yearbook editor her senior
year, a member of Student Council, Student Leadership, and the
Spirit Committee.
Prior to volunteering for the Race office, Alicia was alread--
an active supporter of events that dealt with Susan G. Komer..
As cheerleading captain of her high school squad. Alicia
her squad found a significance in taking time out of their
chedule once a year in order to support the Race by participa;u._
· and run. ~ln 2008. we partiapared in
e and ~e theme "'.

2. Town Pink,"' she said. "We built a float and won
the float competition so we got to cheer on the
sidelines for the Race."
In 2010, she and her squad again participated
in the Race for the Cure®and walked alongside
one of the girls whose mother had a friend
that was diagnosed with breast cancer as well.
"There have been so many advances toward
curing breast cancer since my mom has passed.
You had the research when my mom had it but
know it's like almost tangible, it's getting closer,"
Alicia said. "It just made me think 'okay, my
mom has already had it but this could really
help this lady."'
Over the course of the summer, Alicia not
only volunteered but maintained balancing her
schedule between holding her job at B.Jaxx
Wholesale and babysitting. J'ow that summer
is close to its final presence, a new chapter
is evolving, signifying Alicia's adaptation of
an advanced lifestyle as a college freshman at
Texas A&M University - Texarkana where she
will trade in her cheerleading uniform to take
on the studies of English and pursue her career
as an English teacher.
Alicia is determined to continue her task
of volunteering for the Race office in hopes
of helping the community and continuing to
distribute information on the importance of
breast cancer awareness. She plans to assist
in this year's Race, also. Her focus is to spread
the word and get people involved in October's
Race, and throughout the many connections
she has formed within her high school career,
it is her desire to get her old squad together to
participate in the eYent as memories hold.
With experiencing breast cancer taking its
toll on her mother first hand, Alicia greatly
values the purpose and meaning of family, and
it is experiences like these that allow one to
foresee the essential part of life. With a bright
future ahead and many others to inform, she
continues to take on a highly charismatic path.
Thus, it is true that the ability to lead
and take the initiative in order to promote
positive change is what drives a person above
and beyond in life. To educate oneself and
be "aware" of the "unaware" are of great
importance so that humanity prospers from a
healthy, long, and fulfilled life. -f
. "