Barbara Wayman is a 14-year breast cancer survivor and she likes to tell her story whenever she can.
That wasn’t always her attitude, though.
“It took me a few years to get the emotions under control,” said Wayman, of Charlton, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 at the age of 46.
When she’d had time to wrap her head around her diagnosis, Wayman started walking in the Komen Race for the Cure NENY and has made it a tradition for eight years. For four of those, she was more than a walker and fundraiser; she was a valued volunteer to Susan G. Komen NENY.
“When I retired from the state (after 36 years) a friend asked if I was interested in getting involved … they wanted me to do some bookwork because my background was in administration,” said Wayman. “I started and that led to being appointed as the treasurer.”
Wayman is serving her second term as treasurer and said she’s happy to contribute her skills to the organization.
“It’s having an interest in the cause. I think that’s why most people volunteer in different organizations; they have a passion for what they do and I really like the way they do business,” said Wayman.
Wayman’s dedication to the cause has not gone unnoticed. She was honored with the Cathy Patten Volunteer Award at the annual “Tickled Pink” survivor luncheon on Sept. 13.
“We are extremely proud of the achievements by Barbara,” said Nancy Sciocchetti, Komen NENY board president. “She exemplifies the courage, energy and generosity of all those involved in the fight against breast cancer through Komen Race for the Cure. She also reminds us that every participant in the Komen Race for the Cure – by running, walking, fundraising, volunteering or even sleeping in or just showing up to cheer on everyone – is a separate and remarkable story. But they add up to the exceptional worldwide effort that is Susan G. Komen for the Cure.”
Wayman said the award was unexpected.
“I didn’t really think that I needed to get an award for doing something I think is the right thing to do. It’s nice to be honored for it and at times I do a lot of work for it, for sure, especially with the race,” said Wayman. “It’s an honor to be recognized for your efforts.”
Besides her bookwork, Wayman said it’s important to encourage other survivors to be supportive of one another and be open with their stories.
“People need to be their own advocate and talk to their sisters and coworkers and their neighbors and tell their own story because awareness is such a big thing,” said Wayman. “My cancer was found early … in education there is awareness.”
Telling her story over and over again and clocking so many volunteer hours has been therapeutic, said Wayman.
“I think it’s probably been healing for me. You go through all kinds of emotions when you get hit with cancer diagnosis … I think it’s important people know they can survive it, you just need to find it early,” said Wayman. “Get checked out. Don’t be afraid of the diagnosis … someday hopefully it’ll just be another type of disease you learn to live with.”
Wayman is looking forward to the Komen Race for the Cure NENY on Saturday, Oct. 1, in Albany.
“It’s a good feeling [race day]. I have my own team, we call it “Friends and family for the cure” … it just gives us a time to be together, a common goal and think about things that affect women mostly,” said Wayman, “It’s just another way of bringing the family together and friends together and doing something for the better good.”
The race is a good thing for breast cancer survivors or those struggling with the disease, said Wayman.
“The biggest thing that helped me was meeting other people who had gone through the same thing. Once you get a group like that and realize you’re not by yourself in this boat, I think it helps when you talk to other people who have been through the same thing,” said Wayman.
