Heart of the Valley: Pharr woman celebrating 25 years of being cancer free
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At 74-years-old, Dr. Gloria Leon-Burke still starts every morning with gratitude — and a heart full of purpose.
Leon-Burke is a retired doctor, writer, and a breast cancer survivor.
“Breast cancer is curable. It’s curable, absolutely,” Leon-Burke said.
Leon-Burke’s journey started 25 years ago when she found a lump during a swim meet in Alaska. She said she didn’t think much of it. She lived a healthy lifestyle, but Leon-Burke soon learned that cancer doesn't discriminate.
“I was a vegetarian,” Leon-Burke said. “No [drinking], no [smoking] and an athlete — a very healthy woman. A health nut they called me, and I got cancer."
Leon-Burke was diagnosed at the age of 49 with stage four breast cancer, the most advanced stage of the disease.
Leon-Burke underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. She lost her breasts and her hair, but said she calls cancer one of her greatest gifts.
“My problem was never cancer, cancer is a gift,” Leon-Burke said. “You see people the way Jesus and God sees us: beautiful humans… you see them with so much love."
After 25 years of being cancer-free, Leon-Burke said she wants women to listen to their bodies and never let fear win.
“Cancer doesn’t kill you. Breast cancer doesn’t kill you, if you catch it on time," Leon-Burke said.
Dr. Sandra Esquivel — a general surgeon with South Texas Health System — said stories like Leon-Burke's show why early detection is key.
“Once you’re at least 40 years of age, you should start getting your mammograms once a year because the risk is there,” Esquivel said.
According to Esquivel, annual screenings have improved and fear should never keep a woman from getting checked
From her home in Pharr, Leon-Burke continues to volunteer, write, and share her story, hoping it sparks courage through cancer in others.
“Fear is ego… lack of faith,” Leon-Burke said. “Fear belongs to the body.”
Watch the video above for the full story.
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