FOR A GOOD CAUSE -- Lynn Loveland and Ramona Peters

-- Story by Bryce Alderton, photo by

Lynn Loveland and Ramona Peters repeated the words: early detection,

going to the doctor for regular mammograms, having routine checkups.

These are the words they advise women to know and follow, helping them

to prevent any form of breast cancer from developing into a

life-threatening disease.

And the two are doing their part in the fight to find a cure, having

already raised $2,000 as of Monday that will go to the Susan G. Komen

Foundation to help fulfill the Komen Mission of “eradicating breast

cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education,

screening and treatment.”

Loveland and Peters post flyers in the Star Real Estate offices in

Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley, hand them to managers and agents in

weekly meetings, and talk to neighbors, friends and family about the

Foundation’s purpose to raise money. They will take donations until Oct.

12.

Loveland, who turns 59 in two weeks, works as a relocation specialist

and Peters works as a real estate agent.

Come Sept. 23, Peters will be participating in the Mile Fun Walk in

the 10th annual Komen Foundation’s Orange County Race For the Cure in

Newport Beach. Loveland is hoping to do the same walk depending on her

sixth and final chemotherapy treatment Sept. 20.

“I will do my best to do the one-mile walk,” Loveland said.

Peters, 57, said being diagnosed with breast cancer was the most

humbling experience in her life.

She had difficulty talking about it a year after she was diagnosed in

December 1999 and during treatments the following year.

“But my faith sustains me, and I became a much stronger person,”

Peters said.

Peters has survived cancer three times: cervical cancer in 1976, skin

cancer in 1997 and breast cancer in 2000.

Peters has always considered herself a healthy and athletic person and

admits that she isn’t cursed when it comes to being diagnosed with cancer

three times.

“It just happens” Peters said, trying to hold back tears, recalling

when she found out she had breast cancer.

She had gone for her regular mammogram in November 1999. Her doctor wasn’t sure about the results, so Peters returned in December for another

mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy.

She found out she had breast cancer on Dec. 28, during lunch with her

future husband and father-in-law.

“I went into the restroom and cried. I had all this anger,” Peters

said.

Peters had a partial mastectomy in February 2000, followed by

radiation treatment five days a week for two months beginning weeks

later. Peters’ breast cancer was caught early and she continues going for

checkups every six months.

“I caught [breast cancer] early enough” Peters said.

She advises women to always get a second opinion, educate themselves,

and go to the doctor for routine mammograms.

One in seven women in Orange County will be diagnosed with breast

cancer during her lifetime and approximately 80% of women with breast

cancer are older than 50.

Fighting her battle, Peters has realized the importance each day

brings.

“Everyday is a gift from God, and you realize the most important

things in life like seeing the sunset and sunrise, being able to say ‘I

love you’ to somebody, being able to hug someone, showing support to each

other,” Peters said.

Peters attends two support groups monthly for education, sharing,

bonding and spiritual guidance.

Loveland began her chemotherapy treatment May 31, after doctors performed a mastectomy May 14.

“[Finding out I had breast cancer] was shocking, I was not prepared

for anything like that,” Loveland said. “The first thing I thought was,

what are my children going to do, but now that seems like a such a long

time ago. I’ve come so far.”

Loveland said she goes through different stages in dealing with the

disease, such as fear, anger, doubt and sadness.

“The tough thing [about breast cancer] is that there’s not a proven

cure, which is why this cause is so important,” Loveland said.

Both Loveland and Peters credit their faith in helping them through

the difficult times.

And these two women are raising support within their Star Real Estate

office.

Loveland and Peters formed the team, Victorious Stars, and many

colleagues will participate in the race.

Realtor Carol Reagan plans to do the mile walk and is also a breast

cancer survivor. Fortunately for Carol, doctors at UCLA in 1977 were able

to detect a pea-sized tumor in her right breast and removed it two weeks

after detection.

“I really didn’t have too much time to think between the detection and

the surgery two weeks later at UCLA,” Reagan said. “I cried a lot and

thought ‘why me?’ I was single and had two children at the time. It made

me take a different outlook on life. I learned to enjoy the moment. I

took my vacations.”

The importance of early detection came to light again for Reagan when

her daughter Melissa McCabe, now a dermatologist, noticed a mole on

Reagan’s back that turned out to be a melanoma that was eventually

removed.

“I lucked out again,” Reagan said.

Geri DeMarco, a star agent, who had a bilateral modified radical

mastectomy in January 2001, will walk with the Hoag Breast Cancer Support

Group.

Realtor Bob Wein will walk in the mile walk. He lost his mother,

Muriel, and his sister, Didi, to breast cancer.

Last year’s Komen Orange County Race for the Cure raised nearly $1.4

million, with 25% of those funds dedicated to the Komen Foundation

Research Program, and 75% going to lifesaving breast health education,

screening, diagnosis and treatment services throughout Orange County.

Walk-in registration for the race is available until Saturday from 11

a.m. to 7 p.m. at these Robinson’s May locations: South Coast Plaza,

Fashion Island, Westminster Mall, The Shops at Mission Viejo, Brea Mall

and Main Place and at the New Balance Newport Beach in Corona del Mar.

First-place prize is a 12-day luxury cruise for two people aboard the

Silver Shadow from Singapore to Bombay in March 2001, and the second

place prize is a $1,500 gift certificate good at any Fashion Island

retailer.

Call (714) 957-9165 for more information about the race.