Whitney Perser

Whitney Barron Perser, 39, is Komen Arkansas’ 2017 Honorary Race for the Cure Survivor. She recalls the past year of her life as a “whirlwind,” and after a year of surgeries, doctor visits, scans and chemo treatments, Perser is now a survivor.

Perser’s mother, at age 41, was diagnosed in 1998 with Stage 3, triple-negative breast cancer. At the time, her mother was also found to be positive for the BRCA 1 gene. Breast cancer ran in Perser’s family.

In 2012, Perser decided to do the BRCA mutation test to see if she had inherited her mother’s gene.The test results were negative, and she was told that she was at no more risk of getting breast cancer than the general public. Because of the news, when she found a lump in her breast in 2016, she ignored the find. On March 17, 2016, at Perser’s yearly OBGYN appointment, her physician found the lump and advised Whitney to get a diagnostic mammogram with an ultrasound.

The following Tuesday, March 22, Perser went to her appointment at the breast center, and the radiologist stated that she would need two needle biopsies.

The next day, Perser was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), Stage 2A. Her cancer was a complete 180-degree from her mother’s diagnosis, yet it was still breast cancer.

In the following month, a treatment plan and surgery date were set, and on April 20, 2016, Perser went into surgery for a bilateral mastectomy with expanders placed for reconstruction. On May 12, her first of six chemotherapy treatments started, and Perser’s fight began. By Day 13 of chemotherapy, Perser’s hair fell out by the handfuls, and when she went to the salon to have her head shaved, her mother came to shave her own head as well. Later, a few friends joined Perser and her mother by shaving their heads.

“In 2016, I became a warrior, Perser said.“I took control of my journey.”

In August 2016, Perser finished her chemotherapy treatments, then started reconstruction. For her, life began to return to normal, but she noted,“I am forever changed. Survival is hard. In fact, it is the hardest thing I have ever done, but I’m doing it. Every one of us who is given this diagnosis fights to survive.We choose to live.We choose to fight.”

Perser is quick to point out that in the midst of survival, this journey has taught her so many things. She wrote,“I have an amazing support group and am striving to be an inspiration to others who have found themselves on the same path.”

Komen Arkansas is honored to haveWhitney Barron Perser as its 2017 Honorary Survivor.