Gayelle Bowdish is battling breast cancer for the 2nd time.

"Life is battles. You have to take one day at ta time. You can't, you can't live in fear,” says Gayelle Bowdish.

It's a very real fight.
Last year, her youngest daughter died of breast and ovarian cancer.

"We all came to the realization that she was not going to get better,” Bowdish says.

Now, she wants everyone to hear her message of hope.

"I don't think we should lose hope that's one thing my youngest daughter stressed. She was so active and so determined to go on."

In April Gayelle will have both breasts removed.
She wants to be around for her husband, 3 children, ten grandkids and the great grandchild on the way.

"I'm going to be fine for however long God thinks I need to be here and I'm going to do what I'm supposed to be doing."

For now, that's being strong, taking care of her family, and letting others know about the real need for a cure.

The Director of Cancer at Saint Luke's hospital says Cancer is now being seen more as a chronic health issue, because certain side effects stay with the patient even after their battle with cancer is done.

"Putting the focus on the prevention and the early detection is such a strong point and something we, as a society, really need to focus on,” says Kimberly Ivester, the Director of Cancer at St. Luke’s Hospital.

Early detection can also make the treatment options not as harsh, which gives patients a better quality of life.