Jun 19, 2008 5:15 pm US/Eastern
50 Years, 50 Families: Michelle Burley
(KDKA)
Michelle Burley is only 36-years-old and is battling breast cancer, the same disease her mother died of at 48 and her aunt just died of recently.
But Burley says she is determined to beat the disease. She is this week's recipient of Roomful Express's 50 Years, 50 Families program.
Burley and her daughter, Kendra, like to take long walks and ride bikes together, but now that has to wait until she has time to heal.
She says she has had many surgeries, including a lumpectomy and hysterectomy since discovering her breast cancer last year.
"I was devastated," said Burley. "I didn't know where to go, what to do."
But Burley is a strong woman and is doing everything she can to survive herself, while still helping others.
"She'd do anything you ask her to," says 12-year-old Kendra.
"She works at it. She's a tough woman," says Bruce Maybury, Burley's friend. "I'm sure she'll come through this cancer thing good and we're all wishing the best for her."
Burley says she has always worked, but her doctors won't let her now until her surgeries are finished and she still has several more to go.
Burley says she and Kendra were living with someone else, but now that they have moved out on own they had very little to call their own.
The two sleep on an air mattress and need some furniture in their family room.
Their wish is now coming true with the help of Roomful Express' 50 Years, 50 Families program.
Burley adds that despite her obstacles, she feels very blessed.
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