88-year-old beats breast cancer twice: ‘If you truly want to live, you will fight to live’
By Audrey Biesk
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GREENSBORO, North Carolina (WXII) — There is a one in eight chance a woman will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society.
That statistic is true for a Triad woman who is a two-time breast cancer survivor. Elsie Best said her mission is to spread joy and fundraise for ACS while raising awareness.
“If you truly want to live, you will fight to live and that’s one of the things it taught me,” Best said as she reflects on her diagnosis.
Each day since receiving the news that she had stage four breast cancer, Best said she chooses to remain positive. She is proud to share that at 88 years old, she feels good today. Best went through years of treatment, a double mastectomy and two separate breast cancer diagnoses, but she said she never let that define her.
“Look your best, because you deserve the best. You are the best, not because my name is Best, but because you deserve the best of life,” she said while smiling.
She shows up to several events in the Triad benefiting the American Cancer Society and always lights up the room.
“Go out and do something for yourself, put some lipstick on, step out the back door, get dressed up,” Best said. “It is very important how we treat our bodies, we don’t have to treat them like they are something to put on a shelf.”
Best said her mission is to raise awareness and critical funds for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K each year.
“Donate. That is the most important thing, to donate for the research. My second time around was much easier than the first time,” Best said.
She knows firsthand what the support means to her, so she is paying it forward. Best has received awards for her impressive fundraising totals.
“We are praying and we are hoping that there will be a cure for breast cancer,” Best said.
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