GREATER ATLANTA'S QUILTED NORTHERN SOFT & STRONG® CHAMPION – KAREN DOMB

Karen Domb has been a dedicated volunteer for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate since 2004. After losing her mother to breast cancer and after fighting her own battle with the disease, Karen became determined to share with other women the importance of routine mammograms.

"I firmly believe not just in getting mammograms, but in getting them routinely at the same facility, which is what saved me," said Domb, a seven-year breast cancer survivor. Here is her story about the loss of her mother, her survival and her commitment to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

"I remember THE phone call one evening in March 1987. My mother was having a mastectomy early the next morning. Her biopsy results were not good, and the surgeon wanted to operate immediately. I was able to get there in time to see her come out of recovery."

"Eight years and two recurrences of the cancer later, my mother lost her battle with breast cancer. She was a strong woman and battled bravely through radiation, chemo and pain. She showed grace and strength in the face of adversity."

"In January 2003, I received THE phone call. I had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and was lucky that it was detected at stage zero. After talking to my doctors, I opted for a mastectomy on one side. Four months later, I had a mastectomy on the other side. I was unwilling to live on guard for the next 10 or 20 years waiting for a recurrence. I avoided chemo and radiation. I opted for reconstructive surgery with implants. I now have a less than 1 percent chance of a recurrence."

"I'm now a seven-year survivor and this will be in my sixth Race for the Cure. I wanted to do what I could to help educate and encourage other women to get their mammograms on a routine basis. I firmly believe in getting routine mammograms at the same facility, which is what saved me. My radiologist had years of film to compare and was able to detect a change in the calcifications at an early stage."

"I volunteer with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in two areas. I process the deposits for the race each year, and in the winter, I serve on the affiliate's volunteer grant review committee. We are thrilled that Atlanta has been able to award $2.2 million dollars in grants for the 2010/2011 fiscal year. It's very rewarding to see where we are able to help the community provide for early detection, education, care and the cure of breast cancer."

"I am a retired CPA and was a financial officer in the insurance industry. In addition to my work with Komen of the Cure, I also volunteer for a local dachshund rescue organization. My little dachshund is my shadow and we enjoy walking. I travel and enjoy visiting family and other countries. My project list is never ending. Thanks so much to family and friends who were there for me when I went through my surgeries and who lent an ear when I needed to talk!"

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