BATON ROUGE’S QUILTED NORTHERN SOFT & STRONG® CHAMPION – TONYA PHILSON

Tonya Philson began volunteering with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure after several loved ones were diagnosed and lost their battle with breast cancer. As a 10-year volunteer with the Baton Rouge affiliate, she was diagnosed with breast cancer herself in 2009. Tonya's passion for life has kept her in high spirits while undergoing chemotherapy as a single parent. She says, "If I could pass on any message to young women, it would be that early detection saves lives! It saved mine, and it can save theirs!"

Here is her personal story about her diagnosis and her commitment to empowering others living with breast cancer.

"I began volunteering with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure when my cousin was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2000. I was determined to play my part in finding a cure for breast cancer. I became even more vigilant in my quest after my cousin succumbed to the disease during her second diagnosis, but I had no idea that I would come back to volunteer in 2010 as a breast cancer survivor!

"I was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer after discovering a lump in my breast during a self examination on May 28, 2009 at 36 years old. I had always heard the Komen adage, 'early detection saves lives,' but now I am a living testament to the saying. I was totally devastated when the doctor told me I definitely had breast cancer. I was a healthy young woman with an eight-year-old son who needed me. I thought, 'This just cannot be happening to me and my family.' We had fought this battle several times before. I also have two aunts who were diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, both of them were able to provide encouragement and support as breast cancer survivors. I underwent a lumpectomy in July of 2009, and began chemotherapy shortly thereafter. I lost so much…my hair, my sense of taste, and eventually my job, but I never gave up. I come from a family of strong women who proudly tackle challenges head on, and I was determined to join those ranks."

"For everything I gave up, I gained so much more. You find out who your real friends are while going through treatment. I have received so much love and support throughout my journey. I have recently signed up to participate in a clinical study designed to test breast cancer treatment methods. If I can help to move one step closer to finding a cure for this disease, then all of the pain and sleepless nights would have been worth it. I want to ensure that my sister, cousins, niece, aunts and friends never have to experience this pain and discomfort."

"I have met some wonderful people who were able to give me good information and guidance through the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Baton Rouge affiliate. I also have some awesome doctors who are taking great care of me. I still have six rounds of radiation to complete, and I can't say that I'm looking forward to it, but every time I want to give in and quit, I picture my son's face. My fight is as much for him as it is for me. Despite how I feel, I get up every morning and keep moving to show him that you can't let any situation get you down. I want him to be able to say, 'I'm a winner…just like my mom.'"

Georgia-Pacific is proud to call Tonya Philson a Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champion.