Although many of the walkers are cancer survivors, others walk as a tribute to family and friends lost to the disease. With no history of breast cancer in her family, Wilson-Plaza was not prepared when a mammogram in December 1999 came back with signs of cancer. Her doctor, who had just had a bilateral mastectomy herself, immediately sent Wilson-Plaza to a surgeon. In February of 2000, Wilson-Plaza had a simple mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. The surgery took seven hours, but was a success, and she was able to return to work and to playing in the Springfield Symphony soon after.
All women deserve to be treated that early.
Although doctors told Wilson-Plaza her chances of recurrence were only 10 percent, a mammogram in January 2001 once again showed signs of cancer. Wilson-Plaza went through the routine tests again, but this time the results came back negative. The possibility of a recurrence scared Wilson-Plaza, and she realized she wanted to take a stand against cancer and participate in this walk, she said. After Wilson-Plaza registered, Avon sent her sample schedules, which outlined nutrition, diet and stretching, a walk calendar and instructions for fundraising. The organized walk was the emotional outlet she needed.