The Villager, Moscow, PA - March 24, 2010

Millions of Americans each year are diagnosed with some form of cancer.  According to the National Cancer Institute, cancer is a term used for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and are unable to invade other tissues.  Cancer cells then begin spreading to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems.

Cancer is not just one disease but many diseases. There are more than 100 different types of cancer.  Most cancers are named for the origin or type of cell in which they start.  For example, cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer; cancer that begins in the breast is called breast cancer.

Just about everybody knows someone that has been affected by some form of cancer at one point or another. Whether it's your mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, or even your brother or sister, at some point, cancer has had an impact on your life.

In order to raise awareness and pay it forward to women that have been affected by cancer, Ohio resident Lori Wycoff created the Fighting Faces calendar.  Wycoff found her inspiration while volunteering at the Columbus Komen Race for the Cure three years ago.

In honor of the women's strength and courage, the 2010 calendar featured a dozen central Ohio women affected by cancer.  Eleven of the women pictured in the 2010 calendar are battling, or have beaten, breast cancer; along with one woman who has survived ovarian cancer.  It was stated that three women featured in the 2010 calendar have since passed away due to their struggles and complications with cancer.

After the tremendous support and response from the first calendar, Wycoff decided to produce a calendar for 2011.  Following the same formula as the first calendar, she decided to organize 12 more women for the 2011 calendar, Fighting Faces Today for a Future Tomorrow.  This calendar includes 9 women from Ohio; wone woman from North Carolina; one woman from Kentucky; and one woman from Pennsylvania.

Lori Carlin, Practice Manager for the Scranton Temple Residency Program, became involved in the first calendar after her sister, Christine Zimmer, died of cancer last August.  Carlin said, "I knew I had to do something positive instead of constantly dealing with all this grief."  Christine was January for the 2010 calendar.

Carlin began searching for a Pennsylvania woman wo be featured in the 2011 calendar.  That is when she met with Linda Learn, Assistant Director of Student Support Services and counselor at Johnson College, an old friend who reentered her life last October.

Linda Learn was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago.  Linda was a Moscow resident for many years and even worked at North Pocono High School as the Guidance Secretary.   A mother of two, Linda's sons graduated from North Pocono in '95 and '02.  She left the area after selling her home last July.

To date, Linda has been cleared of her cancer, however, time will truly tell.  When she was first diagnosed with breast cancer, Linda said, "I went through what everyone else goes through - the uncertainity, the fears, the sleepless nights; you're facing death and making peace with God.  You're assuming your life is pretty much over."

Linda does, however, consider herself to be very lucky.  She has been blessed with great doctors and treatment locally.  She has had two surgeries to date.  After the frist surgery Linda said, "I would not identify myself as having breast cancer.  I didn't want any part of that.  I just wanted to move on with my life."

After her second surgery she said, "I realized this was something I'm not going to ignore." Shortly after Lori Carlin approached Linda to discuss the possibility of being featured in the Fighting Faces 2011 calendar.  Although Linda was initially hesitant, she knew she had to something; she was just unsure what that was.

Linda did not want to be looked at as a victim.  She wanted people to know that there is life after cancer.  In December, Linda and Lori flew to Ohio to take part in the photo shoot for the 2011 calendar.

While in Ohio, Linda had the opportunity to meet some wonderful women who are really struggling with cancer.  Describing the whoe experience as "amazing," she said that the women keep in touch via e-mail to offer support for one another.

As far as advice, Linda said, "for every person it's so individual.  It depends on where you're at in your life, and what your priorities are at the moment. For me it was making peace with God and with life."

Nowadays Linda values quality of life over quanitiy of life.  Linda has learned to come to terms with her mortality.  She said, "I've always had a fear of death and the unknown.  Now I've come to terms with that.  I feel I've made my peace."

Inspired by a fantastic support system including friends, family, co-workers and students at Johnson College, Linda feels she has been extremely lucky.  Although she is excited to see what the future brings, she still must take it just one dat at a time.

The 2011 calendar.  Fighting Faces Today for a Future Tomorrow, will be available for purchase online at www.fightingfaces.com, with the proceeds to benefit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House.