Andrea Ducre discovered her breast cancer almost by accident.
The Luling woman had just undergone an appendectomy and was sidelined from work for two weeks. While recovering, she saw a television commercial that prompted her to perform her first breast self-exam. She expected to find nothing.
“It was almost serendipitous in a way. I usually don’t watch commercials at all,” Ducre said. “At 39 years old, I’d never done a breast exam before in my life. I did it almost as a joke. Like, sure, I’ll go ahead and do this. But I felt something … everything happened so fast from there. All of a sudden, I’m diagnosed and now I have no idea what’s going on.”
Today, inspired by her own experience, the breast cancer survivor is working to ensure other survivors feel supported, celebrated and never ashamed of what they have endured.
Ducre is organizing a family-friendly breast cancer awareness walk at the Westbank Bridge Park on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The two mile walk is called the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk and Ducre is inviting people to join her team, named Crowned in Pink. The Susan G. Komen organization conducts activities in research funding, patient navigation, advocacy, and patient care services related to breast cancer.
Smoothie King will provide smoothies at the event. Domino’s will donate pizzas, and other refreshments will be available. Local businesses, including Bonefish Grill, have contributed prizes and donations.
There will also be a Build Your Own Crown contest for the most creative crown, reflecting the event’s theme of recognizing survivors as royalty. There will be a designated children’s area with bubbles, coloring sheets and face painting. Susan “Suzie Q” Bailey will be in attendance and the popular dance instructor will lead attendees in line dancing to close the event.
Ducre encourages participants to register in advance so organizers can prepare enough goodie bags, food and drinks. However, walk-up participants will not be turned away.
She said one thing she’s reflected much upon about her battle is how affected she was by many of the effects of her cancer treatment, and how she would like to help others not feel the way she felt.
“I was so embarrassed by things that I shouldn’t have been,” Ducre said. “Losing my hair. Not having my breasts the way they were. I didn’t feel like a woman anymore.”
Ducre will also forever be inspired – and motivated – by her late mother, who moved in with Ducre to take care of her during her cancer battle.
“She gave up her time and moved in with me … it was the last year of her life,” said an emotional Ducre. “I feel like I owe it to the world to live for her. And I owe it to other people to lift them up and let them know that they don’t have to do this alone. They don’t have to do this in silence and they definitely don’t have to be embarrassed by it.”
The crown theme of the event is drawn from Ducre’s belief that surviving breast cancer “makes you royalty,” while also representing the heavy crown one wears when they endure their battle.
“We have it called Crowned in Pink because we have those people who are called crown adjusters, who are like volunteers who are your family members and your extended family; They help you carry that crown when you just cannot hold it up any longer.”
To register, email pinkwalkcollective@gmail.com or call (985) 362-2924.
