Thursday, November 5, 2009
Local woman in running for top prize as CNN hero
MIAMI (WSVN) -- CNN is recognizing a local breast cancer survivor who used her personal struggle to inspire other women.
Andrea Ivory was diagnosed with breast cancer about five years ago. She is now cancer free and is going door-to-door in Miami-Dade and Broward County to help women get there diagnosis.
Featured on CNN, Ivory is a top 10 finalist in CNN's Heroes contest, which spotlights everyday citizens doing extraordinary things.
Ivory and her volunteers have knocked on more than 20,000 doors in poor neighborhoods and secured more than 500 free mammograms for many women are uninsured. "I'm just doing what we are supposed to do. We are all our brother's people. We are supposed to help our neighbors, and to be honored for just doing what you're supposed to do is amazing," said Ivory.
For two years, Jessica Ortiz and mother Nererda Ageyaguyo were living in fear after her mother found two lumps in her breast. Ageyaguyo had no insurance and could not afford a mammogram. Ortiz heard about Ivory's mission on CNN and made a call. "In the beginning I was hopeless," said Ortiz. "She is the definition of a hero, she really is. She is a wonderful human being."
Ageyaguyo is now cancer free and has joined Ivory with her mission. "Because of my daughter and Andrea Ivory, I have no consequences because I found out on time," she said.
Ivory beat out 9,000 people from 100 countries by making it into the top 10 but needs the public's votes to win the title of CNN Hero.
(Copyright 2009 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
