In the 80s, Heidi would have to run up and down Mt. Rubidoux every day as a part of her training for the Riverside County Sherriff’s Academy. When she left, she swore she would never climb that mountain again.
Years later, she was back at the base of Mt. Rubidoux battling a heart condition. Fighting through tears, she exclaimed, “If I can make it to the top of the mountain, I’m going to be OK!”. She made it to the top of the mountain that day and came back every year to commemorate the anniversary of her successful heart treatment.
Two months after her celebratory climb in February 2021, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Heidi had another mountain to climb.
“It was devastating,” recalled Heidi. “You first get the diagnosis, and you immediately think it’s a death sentence.”
Later that year, during The Pink Ribbon Place’s annual breast cancer awareness walk - Pink on Parade, Heidi was again facing that mountain's base. Feeling depleted after her treatments, she didn’t think she could continue.
“If you’re willing to try…” said a friendly Pink on Parade participant, “I’ll go with you.”
Heidi and the stranger chatted away, exchanging stories and experiences and before Heidi knew it, they had reached the top of Mt. Rubidoux.
Support is an essential part of cancer recovery. Studies show that women who access support services have better outcomes. Services like support groups at The Pink Ribbon Place, which Heidi utilized throughout her journey.
“The ladies in the [support] group opened up a little bit more, shared a little bit more and were a bit more vulnerable… I was looking for that kind of a space where I could do the same.”
Again, at Pink on Parade in 2022, Heidi nervously went out in public for the first time without her breast prostheses. “I knew having the survivor shirt on, people would look at me… but I felt safe.,” said a newly empowered Heidi. “Once I started walking around, I realized - I’m good.”
“Having cancer made me realize all you have left is memories and photographs,” said Heidi who avoided the camera due to her weight. “…I’m not afraid to get in front of the camera anymore.”
Heidi proudly smiles among her sisterhood of survivors and thrivers in the 2022 Pink on Parade survivor photo.
“First year, I went [to Pink on Parade] I was a warrior… Now I’m a survivor.”
Heidi has had tall mountains to climb, but support, friendship, and comradery were never too far away with the programs and services at The Pink Ribbon Place.
