Meet Ford's Beautiful Warriors Photo Slideshow: Go behind-the-scenes of the photo shoot! Beautiful Warrior: Kathy Miller
Nominated by: Rose DuHoux
I nominate my daughter, Kathy Miller, of Woodbury, Minnesota. She was 34 when she discovered her stage-4 breast cancer. She had a double mastectomy and lymph node removal. She had an eight-month-old, a 2 year-old, and a 4 year-old autistic son. She endured 16 months of weekly chemotherapy, and 6 weeks of Monday through Friday radiation. During this time, she continued with her daily housework and her quest to better her autistic son's education. Her daughter needed therapy for leg strengthening, and her baby developed numerous allergies and could only tolerate Rice milk and select foods.
She will be 37 yrs old in July and has been left with congestive heart failure as a result of the extensive chemotherapy. She continues to be very tired, but keeps on, as her family is her priority. She is active in Susan G. Komen's Walk for the Cure, and the Autism Society of America. She is definitely my beautiful warrior.
Beautiful Warrior: Carol Walker
Nominated by: Renee Wolfe
This is about my dearest friend, Carol Walker. We've known each other since 1961 and have shared so many life events. After numerous tests and surgery, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in October 1990. When Carol, who lives in Houston, Texas, found out, she took the next flight to Atlanta, Georgia and spent long hours with me at the hospital.
When I came home, she cooked, took me to the doctor and ran errands. She was an angel. In 2004, I found out that my mother, who lived in San Antonio, had terminal liver cancer. I went to be with her, but could not stay long because of job and financial constraints. Carol would drive from Houston to San Antonio (over 200 miles) monthly to check on her and bring goodies and clothing. Mother called Carol her "other daughter." She helped make my Mother's last months brighter.
Then, in May 2005, Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a shock to everyone, because we all felt that Carol was indestructible. Carol endured massive does of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, and still managed to go back to work. She also took care of her mother after a hip surgery in late 2005, all while undergoing chemo. She always thinks of others, even when she is exhausted. Carol is my inspiration, a person who won't allow bad circumstances to get her down. She is a true "beautiful warrior."
Beautiful Warrior: Beth Addington-Muench
Nominated by: Andrew Muench
My wife became a warrior in August 2000, when diagnosed with breast cancer , followed by a mastectomy. In 2003, she became an "exalted warrior", when she had a recurrence, followed by chemotherapy and radiation treatments. The enemy of fear hung over our clan like a storm cloud. As a young warrior, she learned to slay fear, prior to the never-ending check-ups... fear still overwhelmed me, awaiting her results.
As a warrior, she pushes her body to run and bike daily, through wind, rain and mud. She placed 1st in numerous Susan G. Komen races, yet always humbly acknowledges at award ceremonies, that the real victors are all warrior survivors.
My wife is a warrior as she navigates the dark trails and warpaths leading to the medical-insurance fortress -- battling with insurance companies over denied legitimate claims. My wife is a warrior for fighting the effects of cancer drugs on her body, hunting for hormone and pesticide-free food. This two-time warrior exhibits qualities that rival the mightiest warriors of old: courage, a fighting spirit, love and faith, She has learned that it's not about being bitter, but better... It's not about what she has lost, but about what she has gained... It's not about the body, but the spirit. My warrior races so our daughters won't have to. As we walk down this unknown trail, I stand in awe of my beautiful, valiant warrior, and of all warriors in pink!