The Connection

Considering that they live some 3568 miles apart, the Syron sisters, Catherine and Judy, remain close. Born only 15 months apart, they were raised in the North of England, moved with their family to Brussels, Belgium as teenagers, and later even shared accommodations for a few years before Catherine moved to the US, where she now lives in Burke. Sadly, they share more than just a happy childhood and continuing friendship. Catherine and Judy also share the BRCA-2 Breast Cancer gene.

Judy, who resides in East Boldon, South Tyneside, in the UK, is a seven year survivor, but even though they lost both their father and their aunt to cancer, the sisters did not know they shared the hereditary gene until Catherine was diagnosed with breast cancer and her medical team at the Breast Health Center at the Virginia Hospital Center made the discovery. With an 80 percent chance of recurrence, the sisters made the decision to undergo preventative mastectomies on the healthy breasts, as well as to remove their ovaries and receive both chemo and radiation therapy. Catherine insists it was "an easy decision. I have a lot to live for," including her husband, 11-year-old son and 17-year-old stepdaughter.

NOW THE SISTERS have decided to share yet another important time in their lives. They registered for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer as Team Sisters Across the Pond. "We want to raise funds and awareness, to make sure others have access to the amazing support and treatment we had. And to find a cure before my son has to worry, since the gene exhibits as early prostate and colon caner in men," said Catherine. The 39-mile walk takes place in the D.C. area on May 5 and 6. In order to participate, each walker must raise $1800. With less than a month to go and not yet at their goal, Catherine pulled out the stops and got some fundraising help.

Fortunately, she works for a company that was more than willing to support her efforts. As part of their commitment to community, Clearwire enthusiastically agreed to host a Fundraiser Breakfast on April 12, at the company’s Herndon location, providing the food and beverages. Clearwire is a pioneer in 4G and the builder of the first 4G network in the country. The volunteer Breakfast Brigade consisted of Kim Hyman, Asst. Executive, Wholesale Team and Building Cheerleader, Dave Nance, Technology Development Engineer, Kelly Lloyd, Director of Technology Development, Chuck Gunter, Lab Implementation Engineer, Kathy Cook, Facilities Specialist, and Priya Menon, Supplier Business Manager.

TOGETHER they flipped pancakes, scrambled eggs, grilled sausages, kept the beverages flowing, collected the $10 per plate toward the $3600 needed for the sisters to participate in the walk and then cleaned it all up when the event was over. A steady stream of employees supported the cause and enjoyed the breakfast, and Catherine has since reported that an additional $965 was raised.

While they continue to fundraise, Catherine and Judy will also be training for the walk. Catherine says they have both always been walkers. "I continued to walk all during my chemo and radiation and did the Komen 1 day walk the day after my treatment ended. Judy walks and runs every weekend and even does a half marathon every year. I think we are ready." Catherine has also just completed certification as a yoga instructor and hopes to provide yoga classes for people with cancer as a way to improve their general physical and mental health and to cope with the stress of their illness. It sounds like the Syron sisters are ready to take sharing to an even more positive place.