COASTAL GEORGIA’S QUILTED NORTHERN SOFT & STRONG® CHAMPION – TAMMIE MOSLEY

After losing her mother to breast cancer in 2003, Tammie Mosley became one of the Coastal Georgia Susan G. Komen for the Cure Affiliate's most committed volunteers. As co-chair of Savannah's first Race for the Cure in 2008, Mosley helped the affiliate raise $220,000 to support breast cancer awareness and treatment.

"My mother taught me that each morning I wake up, I have a choice about what kind of day I am going to have," Mosley said. "Ultimately, life is about choices, and I choose to focus on the good."

Here is her story about her passion for Susan G. Komen for the Cure and other organizations that support the fight against breast cancer.

"In January 2000, while I was living in Washington, D.C., my mother, Vivian Bernadette Wilson, called me one evening and told me that she had been diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer. I could hear how scared she was, and I promised her that I would support her throughout surgery and treatment. She lived with me in D.C. after her diagnosis, but became homesick, so we moved back home to Savannah in January 2003. She was diagnosed at 50 years old and passed away in February 2003, one month after her 53rd birthday. I watched her undergo surgery, treatment and was by her side during her brief remission and throughout the reoccurrence. If I am ever faced with a difficult life challenge, I hope that I have a fraction of the bravery, grace and perseverance my mother displayed throughout her journey with breast cancer.

"When my mother was initially diagnosed, I helped her find her voice and encouraged her to learn about the disease. I was so proud of her once she became her own advocate. I like to think that I was the reason she found her voice, but family, friends and community organizations also helped her gear up to fight the disease. The support for my mom helped me as well, because we are all in this together.

"I have had a personal history of fibrocystic disease, which began when I was 27 years old. In 2001, I had a scary false alarm when my doctor removed three benign tumors. I remember the initial disbelief and then the torture as I waited for the pathology report. Fortunately, the tumors were non-cancerous. While I had an initial understanding of the emotional fear my mother experienced, I had no comprehension of chemotherapy, nausea, loss of appetite, loss of taste and myriad other side effects a person can experience. While I couldn't take breast cancer away from my mother or anyone else, I can make a difference by volunteering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to stop this horrible disease. Everyone should have someone to fight for them.

"The Coastal Georgia Affiliate for Susan G. Komen for the Cure was established in 2006. In 2008, a friend who knew that I loved to volunteer and that I had a special place in my heart for breast cancer causes asked if I would volunteer for the affiliate's first Race for the Cure, which would be held in Savannah the following year. I immediately agreed and was eventually asked to co-chair the race volunteer committee. I was proud to honor my mom by helping with the inaugural race. We had an awesome first race with 3,050 participants and more than 400 volunteers. The affiliate had raised $70,000 before the first race. After the 2009 race, we granted our community $220,000 for breast cancer education, screening and treatment. After watching my mom and other women fight the disease, I know firsthand what a difference an organization like Susan G. Komen for the Cure makes in the lives of an entire community.

"I am an attorney by profession, but I am a volunteer by passion. I currently work directly with Judge John E. Morse Jr. as a senior staff attorney for the Superior Court in Savannah. An integral part of my life is giving back and assisting those who sometimes are unable to advocate for themselves. It is my honor to help, and I believe that I am my 'sister's keeper.' "

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