Breast Cancer Survivor Dedicates Year to Service

The fight against breast cancer is a life changing experience for many people. It was for Angie Demyda a Xerox union factory worker.
 
It's why if you see her at work now she wouldn't be at a factory, but instead on the go with a small travel bag filled with breast cancer awareness material. This year she's the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester's outreach coordinator. .

"Wonderful, it's been quite an experience," she said. "I've learned so much."

Angie was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009.

"Very scary," she said. "You know you get that pit in your stomach and you're very petrified. You just think its the end of your life."

But the Breast Cancer Coalition gave her hope. "Walking in here was like a big hug," she said.

Last year, she decided to give comfort and information to other women. So she applied for public service leave at Xerox so she could volunteer full time.

The coalition was supportive, but doubtful.

"I really thought it was a long shot," Executive Director Holly Anderson said.

Demyda got the thumbs up even though she was not a Xerox executive.

"We get word that Angie is approved and it was just really, really amazing," Anderson said.

"This organization is just wonderful for all of our survivors here," Demyda said. "It makes you feel normal again."

Now she's speaking at area health fairs, festivals, cancer centers and even Xerox events.

"If I can just reach that one person that hasn't had their mammogram, or has already gone through this and didn't know about us," he said.

It's been quite a year, one she hopes makes a difference in another woman's life.