Beverly Kearney's life is all about speed and winning. She's the legendary head coach of the University of Texas women's track and field team. Under her leadership, the Longhorns have claimed six national 
As soon as her mother's car pulled away, Cathy Harper Lee always counted the blades of grass on the lawn. She hoped to reach a high number. That meant a few moments alone before her step-father ordered her inside. 
March 12, 2010
In September 2009, Vinnie E. Acklin started experiencing pain around her left breast that would not go away, even when she applied icepacks followed by warm towels. Within a month, the retired Virginia teacher was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a type of breast cancer, according to The Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.
Acklin writes on the website of the organization - which provides resources for patients and survivors, and also accepts donations - that she has since undergone a mastectomy accompanied by reconstructive surgery, and will probably also receive radiation treatments.
However, by sharing her story and the variety of emotions that she has experienced in recent months, the 62-year-old also aims to provide hope and advice to those facing a similar diagnosis.
"Once I accepted the fact that this really was happening to me," she writes, "I calmed myself by praying, by reading the Bible, [listening] to inspirational music and I have been recording my experiences in several journals."
"With hope I am moving on," she adds.
The National Cancer Institute estimates that 192,370 women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,170 died of the disease in 2009. However, if detected early it is highly curable so doctors recommend women above the age of 40 get an annual mammogram.
All women should also develop the habit of conducting monthly breast self-examinations, which may further boost their chances of early detection. Among the best preventive methods, on the other hand, are a low-fat diet, physical exercise and refraining from smoking.
