Edwards' warriors walk for cancer cure

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Francesca Carrano
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFPN) --  A broken arm is serious but will heal completely. The flu can leave one bedridden, but disappear in a week or so. But the effect of a chronic illness like cancer is there to stay -- it changes lives forever.

This is how Michele Chebahtah, the 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron training manager, diagnosed with the disease at age 39, describes the life-changing effects of cancer. To help fight for a cure, she and a friend participated in a walk to support breast cancer research July 9 and 10.

But her journey began in 2003 when Ms. Chebahtah attended the annual early detection screening offered to both military and civilian employees by a 95th Medical Group-sponsored mobile mammography unit. She left with a clean bill of health.

When the unit returned the following year, she tested again. This time the results showed abnormalities.

"I was in total disbelief," Ms. Chebahtah said. "I had no risk factors, no family history, no warning signs. It had to be a mistake."

She met with Maj. (Dr.) Gabriella Cardoza-Favarato, a 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron flight surgeon who suggested she have a biopsy.

"She saved my life," Ms. Chebahtah said. "They found malignant tumors in the early stages. I had a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery."

Her husband and co-workers rallied around her in support, said Tech. Sgt. Chonthicha Lane, the noncommissioned officer in charge of the 412th Maintenance Operations Squadron and a maintenance training scheduler.

"She has always been a strong person, even before her diagnosis," Sergeant Lane said. "If you worked with her, you would have never thought she went through something as difficult as cancer. She has held her family together, fought off cancer and continued to be an inspiration to other people."

When Ms. Chebahtah and Sergeant Lane heard about the walk to support breast cancer research, they knew it was a cause they wanted to embrace.

"At first, I was only going to tell people about my condition on a need-to-know basis, but then I realized I had to be a voice and get the word out," Ms. Chebahtah said. "This walk gives me the opportunity to bring awareness to the disease. Through my experience, I realized that I had a call to do whatever was in my capability to fight the devastating effects of cancer."

Although Sergeant Lane had not had a personal encounter with cancer, witnessing how Ms. Chebahtah defied her disease, neither giving up hope nor ever waiting her life away, inspired her, she said.

"I look up to her,” Sergeant Lane said. “She is an incredible, awesome person. My life has been touched through her experience, and I want to do whatever I can to help anyone going through such a difficult time."

The two women hope what they call "their little part" will go a long way in helping find a cure and get people the education and information they need, Ms. Chebahtah said.

"At first we were a little nervous about the $1,800 each of us had to raise for the walk," Ms. Chebahtah said. "But our worries soon vanished -- each time we held a fundraising event, so many people came to us relating their story, wanting to get involved."

Overall, they raised more than $4,500 to help find a cure for breast cancer.

Proceeds went toward awareness and education, screening and diagnosis, treatment, support services and scientific research. Beneficiaries range from leading cancer centers to community-based nonprofit breast health programs.

They may never be the doctors in labs finding the actual cure, but their role is still important. Ms. Chebahtah said the support she received from co-workers and friends like Sergeant Lane gave her the strength to fight the cancer. The women said they hope their involvement will provide that same hope, strength and comfort to other people touched by the disease. (Courtesy of Air Force Materiel Command News Service)