Two-Time Cancer Survivor Thankful for Support Connection
Before she turned 40, Andrea Della Mura had to endure two battles with breast cancer and opted at age 39 to have a double mastectomy.
With a husband and two young children, it was a decision she didn’t hesitate to make and has no regrets.
“My decision at that point was clear. I remember standing in a bank and telling my doctor on the phone ‘let’s do it,’” she said. “I was blessed because I made that decision. I don’t need these things. I wanted to survive for my kids.”
Mura, a resident of Rye Brook whose parents live in Cortlandt, found herself first introduced to cancer when she was only 24 after finding a small lump that she was initially told by her doctor not to be concerned about. Being pro-active, she decided to see a surgeon and further testing revealed she had breast cancer.
“They said it doesn’t happen to women my age,” she said. “I was the first in my family to have breast cancer. I’m in my mid-20s. I’m looking at wedding dresses, not wigs.”
She had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy but had few people to turn to who could relate to what she had experienced. That’s when her parents introduced her to Nancy Heller, a cancer survivor and co-founder of Support Connection, prior to the organization being conceived.
“Back then there was no one for me to talk to. Nobody my age had breast cancer,” Mura said. “We were drawn to her because she’s such an incredible person to begin with and she was so passionate about awareness. It was a little strange because they’re not my peers. They’re my parent’s age. They embraced me.”
Shortly thereafter, the first Support-A-Walk was organized in 1995 and Mura was asked to participate and be a keynote speaker.
“When I was asked to speak, I was scared. But I was proud to be asked, and I really wanted to raise awareness especially with young women,” Mura said. “I had a story and they gave me an opportunity to tell it. That was the beginning for me. That was part of my healing.”
In 2008, Mura received her second breast cancer diagnosis but was more equipped to confront it head-on, especially with Support Connection along for the ride when she needed them.
“It’s very important to have support like Support Connection. It really does take a community,” she said. “Support Connection is really able to get the word out. They are the type of people that when you walk through their doors it’s like walking through a family living room.”
Now 45, Mura has seen her mother survive breast cancer twice and lost her father to lung cancer two years ago. She was recently chosen as one of the two Walk Ambassadors for the 20th Anniversary Support-A-Walk because of her longstanding history with the event and her fighting spirit.
“I’m not one for spotlights. I’m more of an Indian than a chief. I’m a little taken back (by being chosen),” she said. “I feel that I haven’t done anything for them that anybody else hasn’t done. I am honored. It’s one of those things I’ll always cherish. I realize that opening yourself up can really help people.”
SUPPORT cONNECTION, iNC. is a 501 (C) (3) not-for-profit organization that provides free, confidential support services and programs to people affected by breast and ovarian cancer. Founded in 1996, Support Connection is based in Yorktown Heights, but through a toll-free hotline and website they serve people throughout the country. Services include: One-on-one peer counseling and support groups, offering women the opportunity to connect with other cancer survivors; Ongoing wellness classes; Holistic health workshops; Public educational programs; Information and referral services; A toll-free cancer information and support hotline (1-800-532-4290.) To learn more, visit www.supportconnection.org or call (914) 962-6402.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
