Felicia C. Harris

I am currently a 13-year breast cancer survivor. My journey as a breast cancer survivor has been a BLESSING.

I had my first mammogram at the age of 35. My mother was the key player in making sure I did my self-breast exam, and she scheduled my first mammogram appointment days after my 35th birthday. Coming from a military background, my mother taught us at an early age how to do our self-breast exam.

On March 1, 2007, I was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer at the age of 45. I found a lump on my left breast through a self-breast exam. I had just had my annual mammogram five months prior. I was referred to Siteman Cancer Center in St. Louis, Missouri by a friend of my sister who was a breast cancer survivor.

I had a lumpectomy in March 2007 and then a lymph node dissection in April 2007, where eight lymph nodes were removed. A month following my surgeries, I started aggressive chemotherapy for four months. I then started radiation treatments in October 2007 for eight consecutive weeks at five days a week. I have undergone five surgeries in the past 13 years of being a breast cancer survivor. By God's grace and my family, I have become a stronger person; my son is my life!

I have been employed as a case manager with Better Family Life, Inc. for eight years. I also am involved in several breast cancer organizations. I am a Community Connector for Living Beyond Breast Cancer (based in Cynwyd, Pennsylvania), a Missouri State Leader for Young Survivors Coalition (located in New York, New York), and a volunteer for Susan G. Komen. I also volunteer with Sista Strut St. Louis and work with Real Men Wear Pink in St. Louis, assisting them with finding breast cancer patients and survivors in need for the organization’s yearly event where they honor and award a monetary donation to a group of African American women.

On October 1, 2019, I was invited to be on The View in New York City along with some of my breast cancer survivor friends from different cities near and far. I also have been invited to speak at church events and other events for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

I will leave you with these thoughts:

Please take care of yourself, lead a healthy lifestyle, and conduct your self-breast exam regularly. Schedule your mammograms and physicals as recommended.

Life isn't about the things you own and things that you show off. Instead, it's what you do in life and the legacy that you leave behind. I chose the word BLESSED to represent my journey because I am Highly Favored and Worthy. God has granted me another journey in life. I feel my PURPOSE in continuing to be God's Public Servant and helping others less fortunate than myself. I want to continue to be an inspiration to other women: my Sister Survivors and those who are going through this dreadful disease at this time.

Cancer does not discriminate. I will continue to "Live My Life Like It's Golden!" I may have to take a few little detours, but I will never give up the FIGHT FOR A CURE.

I CLAIM VICTORY. God is my strength and my salvation!