“Cancer is not only an old person’s disease.”

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Aurora Avila is a 33-year-old cancer survivor.

Aurora was a newlywed -- five months into her marriage and three months pregnant -- when she received her breast cancer diagnosis in September 2005.  She was only 31. She underwent chemotherapy and lost not only her gorgeous, long black hair but also her pregnancy. After chemo she began radiation. She finished her treatment in March and shortly afterwards separated from her husband.  It was the hardest year of her life…and also the best.

Aurora’s cancer forced her to get to know herself deeply.  She says, “When you are looking at yourself in the mirror, completely nude without even a strand of hair on your head, you have no choice but to get to know the real you.”  Her cancer experience forced a spiritual growth that she had never imagined or expected.  During her treatment, Aurora felt the need for emotional support as well. She had never done any sort of therapy but had heard of The Wellness Community-West Los Angeles from her oncologist one month into her chemo treatments. After attending a Welcome to Wellness meeting, she attended a Young Adults group.  She then decided to try a group specific to people with breast cancer. When she walked into TWC-WLA’s Breast Cancer support group, she thought she had made a mistake.  Many of the women were gray-haired.  How would she relate to them?  She was only 31!  Once the group began, she realized that she was totally off base. She found that these women were, in fact, going through many of the same things that she was. This group of unlikely peers provided her with knowledge, education, the benefit of their experience, and helped her find answers and comfort.

TWC-WLA taught Aurora the language of emotions. By hearing others talk about how they felt, she was able to find words to describe what she was feeling.  She has been inspired to share her experience with other young people.  Aurora wants people to know that cancer is not only an old person’s disease.  She wants to make sure that young people don’t ignore a story like hers; cancer can happen to them or someone they love. 

Currently, Aurora is co-leading Welcome to Wellness meetings with Harriet Benjamin, co-founder of TWC-WLA.  She has recently completed her first marathon as a fundraiser for TWC-WLA through its program, Team Wellness.  Aurora feels that, “Volunteering is a gift you give without expecting anything in return.” She has learned through her cancer experience that, “The greatest gift you can give someone is the gift of your time.”