Breast cancer survivor turns recovery into support for others

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For breast cancer survivor Marlene Rivera, recovery became more than a personal victory.

It became a reason to help others keep moving forward.

“I had invasive ductal carcinoma. Stage 3 breast cancer,” Rivera said.

Her treatment included 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation. Throughout the process, she faced uncertainty and difficult decisions.

“When I first heard those words, you know, ‘You have cancer’—I didn’t freak out,” Rivera said. “I was just kind of like, ‘Okay, so what do I do now? You know, what’s the first thing that I do?’”

Rivera still has surgeries ahead, but she continues to receive support from her family, friends and fellow survivors.

“I was just thinking about my kids. You know, I was thinking about my family that I needed to fight for,” Rivera said. “And I’m still fighting for them.”

Now, Rivera is giving that same support back to her community through the annual Wonder Warrior Breast Cancer Awareness Event.

The event’s name was inspired by Rivera’s children.

“They nicknamed me the Wonder Warrior because of Wonder Woman,” Rivera said.

The third annual Wonder Warrior Breast Cancer Awareness Event was held on October 17. Rivera plans to continue the event next October.

“You’re more powerful than our mind, you know, than what we think,” Rivera said. “So, I mean, you have to have faith. Without faith, we can’t get through anything.”

To learn more about the Wonder Warrior Breast Cancer Awareness Event, visit this their social media page here.