Cancer

FOX 35 speaks with breast cancer survivors as thousands attend the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event at Lake Eola.

FOX 35 speaks with breast cancer survivors as thousands attend the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event at Lake Eola.

FOX 35 speaks with breast cancer survivors as thousands attend the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event at Lake Eola.

FOX 35 is at Lake Eola as thousands attend the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event.

FOX 35 is at Lake Eola as thousands attend the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event.

Chavelys Alers, founder of the Alers Law Firm, was diagnosed with stage 2B/3A breast cancer on December 17, 2021, at just 41 years old. After feeling a lump in August of that year, her boyfriend and mother urged her to see a doctor. Like many busy professionals, life’s demands caused some delay, but in December she finally went for testing — and a routine mammogram confirmed the diagnosis.

FOX 35 highlights Hard Rock Hotel's 'Pinktober' campaign in honor of breast cancer awareness.

High school counselor Toni Holland knew she couldn’t ignore the possibly of a cancer diagnosis forever, after her mom was diagnosed at age 32. “I didn't tell my husband, I didn't tell anybody, but I kind of sat with that in my stomach, like this little secret that I had," Holland, who was later diagnosed with stage one breast cancer at age of 52, said. Now, leading up to the Making Strides walk for Breast Cancer Awareness month, Holland shared her survivor story with Danielle Knox on Good Day Orlando about how staying active led to coping, healing and finding strength in her breast cancer journey.

Author Kristin Harmel joined FOX 35's Good Day Orlando to talk about her breast cancer journey. Harmel started her career as a sports writer and is now a best selling author.