Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 8, 1 August 2009 — Battle with cancer triggers cultural pursuit [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Battle with cancer triggers cultural pursuit

Uy Jilhan hreitas Special ta Ka Wai ūla Abattle with cancer always brings to mind several lifealtering assumptions: eontemplation of mortaiity, appreciation of iife and reiigious introspection. But for breast cancer survivor Sue Peterson, fighting this disease led her to another discovery - her Hawaiian identity. The '72 Kamehameha Schools graduate was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 after a routine mammogram. Peterson is now a breast cancer survivor steeped in her Christian faith, exploring her Hawaiian roots and detennined to participate in activities foreign to her fonner self. Events like the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life have become an outlet for Peterson to share her story, her hope and her support for others with ties to cancer. "Having cancer has opened my eyes to life and the relationships that you want to build and things that you want to do," said Peterson. After surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Peterson was informed that she had an aggressive form of breast cancer, HER-2 protein positive breast cancer. The mother of two began a one-year treatment of a drug called Herceptin, formulated by Dr.

Dennis Slamon, an American Cancer Society-funded researcher. According to Dr. Clayton Chong, oncologist and classmate of Peterson, Native Hawaiian women with HER-2 positive breast cancer have higher mortality and relapse rates than women of any other ethnicities. Peterson, a Wai'alae Iki native, continued to work at Hawaiian Islands Ministries throughout her treatments and found that in addition to the support of her husband, ehildren and co-workers, it was her faith that truly kept her positive. "Being grounded in my faith allowed me to move past the iniīial anger and utter fear," said Peterson. Peterson even calls the end of her treatments a "graduation from cancer." As graduation presents to herself, Peterson began hiking, dancing hula and learning the Hawaiian language through the inunersion program Kealaleo. "I've been able to shed things that weren't important and piek up things that are," said Peterson. "As for the Hawaiian in me, in truth, I'm finding it now." As a means of promoting cancer awareness in her own conununity, Peterson volunteered as the event chair for the American Cancer Soci-

ety's Relay for Life of Kamehameha Schools Alumni, in its inaugural year I of 2008. "It's so important for women to understand the need for regular manuiiograms and checkups, espe-

cially Hawaiian women who may have a predisposition for a more aggressive form of breast cancer," said Peterson. For Peterson, Relay for Life not only offers awareness of this pervasive disease, but also provides a venue for celebrating survivors and remembering those who have passed. In this overnight event, teams of eight to 15 people take turns walking for a cure and raising money for research, advocacy, education and services. The Relay for Life of Kamehameha Schools Alumni is seeking all alumni, friends and family to participate in this event, whieh begins at 6 p.m. Aug. 15 and ends at 6 a.m. Aug. 16. Lor information, eall Mary Naweli at 432-9165 or Gerry Johansen at 842-8445. ■ Jillian Freitas is a 2007 Kamehameha Schooīs graduate and an intern at the American Cancer Society in Nu'uanu. For more information about eaneei; visitcancer.org or eall the 24 -hr lielp line at 1-800-ACS-2345.

Relay for Life events Moloka'i Kaunakakai baseball park 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Aug. 7-8 244-5554 (Maui office) O'ahu Kamehameha Schools Alumni Kamehameha SchoolsKapālama campus 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Aug. 15-16 432-9165 Hawai'i lsland Kamehameha Park, Kohala 4:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Aug. 15-16 334-0010 Waimea Community Park, Waimea 4:30 p.m.-6 a.m. 0ct. 17-18 334-0010

www.oha.org/kwo OLAKINO ■ YDUR HEALĪH

Sue Peterson, right, prepares for ū hula performance, an activity she pursued in her new, cancer-free life. The Kamehameha graduate is also developing her Hawai ian identity through courses in Hawaiian language offered by the Kealaleo program. - Photo: Courtesy of Sue Peterson