DES MOINES' QUILTED NORTHERN SOFT & STRONG® CHAMPION - KATE AHNEN

Iowa native Kate Ahnen celebrates her 10-year anniversary as a breast cancer survivor and shares a story of hope and determination to all those who are affected by the disease. In addition to being a survivor, Ahnen balances a 55-hour work week as a professional hairstylist, regularly hosts fundraisers to raise money for Susan G. Komen® and volunteers for the Komen Iowa affiliate. In honor of her dedication to the community, she was selected as the 2011 Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champion in Des Moines, Iowa.

Like many others, Ahnen networks and raises funds for her Komen affiliate. What makes her story unique is the one-of-a-kind knack she has for routinely finding creative ways to get participants involved. Leveraging her professional skills and community network as a stylist, Ahnen hosts popular jewelry parties at her salon before each race that raise essential funds for her Komen chapter.

"I love hosting the jewelry parties," Ahnen said. "It's a fun event for our community and allows survivors and others affected by the disease to get involved in the process of beating breast cancer."

Ahnen's diagnosis is one that truly makes her story unique.

When asked about the experience she replied, "I remember waking up one morning and my hand just happened to graze my chest. I felt the lump and immediately scheduled an appointment to see my doctor. That day, I had a mammogram and was told 'all was fine,' but I wasn't convinced. A month later, I saw another doctor for a second opinion and was confirmed to have breast cancer."

Ahnen underwent treatment immediately. She had surgery to remove the cancerous cells and then underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, followed by radiation and a five-year Tamoxifen regimen. Since 2001, Ahnen has been cancer free.

As a hairstylist, losing her hair was one of the most difficult parts of chemotherapy. Ahnen recalls going to a department store just 10 days following her first chemo session. After trying on hats, she left a pile of hair on the floor of the store. And, despite it all, Ahnen kept a positive attitude throughout treatment and never missed a day of work.

"Now, 10 years later, I really try to work on awareness of myself and responding to things instead of reacting to them," said Ahnen. "I look back and think how positively I responded to the most major event in my life. I want other people to receive the support and compassion I received after my diagnosis."

For sharing her courageous story, determination and commitment to volunteerism, Georgia-Pacific is proud to call Kate Ahnen a Quilted Northern Soft & Strong® Champion.