2025 Race 4 Research Honoree: Shawnda Bauer

By Shawnda Bauer

“What did we say was the worst-case scenario?” questioned my doctor, and I quickly answered “cancer,” and started to cry. I always scoff at the fact my doctor made me say the big “C” word, seemingly diagnosing myself.

When I was 31, my son was still breastfeeding, and I had a 3-year-old daughter. Clearly, I was “too young” to get breast cancer, right?! Thankfully, I’ve been able to watch those toddlers grow into amazing adults, and to be very proud of them as they now serve their country in the Army National Guard.

Cancer doesn’t discriminate. For some, like me, it’s hereditary. For others, like my bonus mom and sister, or my friend who just passed 7.7.25, it can be genetic, environmental, life choices, or completely random. No matter the reason it affects some and not others, it has a ripple effect on the one with cancer, as well as those close to them and beyond. Although mine was hereditary, I’d not actually seen any of my family go through it, as they don’t live near me. I didn’t really know what to expect. I didn’t anticipate the support I received from people outside my presumed support circle though! There were so many people blessing our family in so many ways during that time.

Something else I didn’t foresee was how it truly would change the direction of my life and my attitude. It changed my desire to live not just an ordinary, but an EXTRA-ordinary life—living it to the fullest. I wasn’t going to be afraid to take chances and learn new things.

After almost a year consisting of 13 chemo and 25 radiation treatments, a bilateral mastectomy, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, and reconstruction, I started trying new things and started to say “I love you” more often, just because. Eighteen years later, I continue to celebrate my birthday the entire month of June, celebrating my milestone 50th with a clean bill of health. Every birthday is truly a blessing to celebrate!

In honor of my family and friends who have gone through their own battles, and most importantly in memory of those we’ve lost, let’s work together to continue supporting an amazing, all volunteer organization that’s clearly supporting the mission of finding the cure to ALL cancers.