She’s a cancer survivor: Christy Gannon of Lehigh looks forward to participating in the Race for the Cure walk in Estero on March 13 at the Coconut Point Mall at 23106 Fashion Drive, Estero. All proceeds from the program goes to cancer research. Photo by MEL TOADVINE

Christy Gannon can’t wait until March 13, the date for the annual Race for the Cure. The reason why she is looking forward to the date is because she at 29 years of age is a cancer survivor and she wants to help raise money for research that will eventually find a cure for cancer.

Gannon is young to have experienced the type of cancer she had – breast cancer. And although professionals say women should wait until after they are 40 to get a mammogram, she urges younger women to get the screening.

“I couldn’t believe it that at my age, I could have cancer,” she said. Her mother is a cancer survivor and because her mother had the disease, she was somewhat concerned when issues came up and she went to the doctor and after screening, he told her there was nothing, not to worry, but come back after she turned 40.

Gannon has a two-year-old son to take care of and her husband Ward Gannon, gives her all the support he can.

“He’s been so supportive about all that I have had to go through,” she said. “He couldn’t have been better. And my mother has been of great support, too,” she said.

Mother and daughter: Christy Gannon, left, and her mother, Carmen Centeno, are both cancer survivors. Christy will be in the Race for the Cure in Estero on march 13. You can contribute to her cause by visiting www.susankomen.com on the Internet where you can make contributions in her name. Photo by Mel Toadvine

Gannon said she went to another couple of doctors and got the same answer but she wouldn’t give up because she said she felt as if something was wrong.

She was right. While the cancer in one of her breasts didn’t show up through a mammogram or a sonagram, one doctor ordered an MRI and it was discovered she did have cancer and the worst kind, according to Gannon.

“They did a biopsy and it came back and I was told it was inflammatory cancer,” she said. “And that I needed to have treatment immediately.”

The surgery included the removal of both breasts and in within the year, she will undergo a complete hysterectomy. She said her cancer had spread to the lymph nodes.

She credits her “breast navigator” Dara Leitcher, who has seen her through the surgery and the follow ups.

“We have a good relationship. She has always told me that if wanted to scream, her door was always open,” she smiled.

She said Leitcher is knowledgeable about cancer and dealing with insurance companies. Even though we had insurance, there was a lot that it didn’t cover.

She said she and her husband are struggling financially and that they may not be able to stay in their new home.

She’s a positive young woman and urges other women her age to do self breast exams and if you think there is a problem, get screened.

“And if they tell you that you’re too young, just go to another doctor and get screened,” she said.

“I’m going to be at that Race for the Cure with bells on,” Gannon laughed. And my family and supporters will be there, too, cheering me on,” she said.

Lehigh Cancer survivor to

be in the ‘Race for the Cure’

By MEL TOADVINE

mtoadvine@breezenewspapers.com