Three Teachers At One Tulsa School Team Up To Fight Breast Cancer

By LeAnne Taylor, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- Getting through any tragedy may be a little easier when you have someone to lean on, someone who knows what you're going through and can share the pain.

That's certainly been the case for a group of teachers at one Tulsa public elementary school.

"I'm Jamie McCullough, I teach Kindergarten at Salk Elementary." "I'm Susan Comfort, I teach gifted and talented at Salk Elementary." "I'm Cathy Breslin, I teach 1st grade at Salk Elementary."

One school, three teachers, all diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 2 years.

"Being the first to go through it, it was a little, trying to go through it by myself. My family and friends were supporting me and stuff, but then when you start answering that question 'why me?' My husband kept saying you live and work in a community of women and for some reason your diagnosis and the good news we get along the way is for a purpose," said Jamie McCulough.

"Of course seeing Jamie go through it alleviated a lot of fear because some of the choices I made, I, like her, attacked mine very aggressively. They would never have recommended a double mastectomy, which is what I ended up doing and I did it because I didn't want to deal with this further down the road. But seeing Jamie go through it I knew it was doable," said Susan Comfort.

"Oh my gosh, they were like a resource and the day I found out, I was bawling and they both just scooped me up. I know you didn't because I weigh too much. I just remember it was like a blur. I saw you first and they rushed me in and someone took over my class. I don't even remember coming back to my room that day so they were both just there with me and stayed with me for the rest of the day almost," said Cathy Breslin.

"Cathy did not do things the same way Jamie and I did because hers was different. All three of ours was very different. However, I think that information is so helpful to help each of us to make a decision that is best for us," said Susan Comfort.

"I think the purpose for me joining the club, this elite pink club, was just maybe I got the good news and all of that the right way cause I was supposed to be here to help answer and talk people through when they experience, hopefully I can help somebody," said Jamie McCullough.

All three teachers have participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Salk Elementary School has had a team sign up for several years, but for these ladies, it now takes on a new meaning.

"I'll stop my radiation two days before the race so that will be kind of cool, cause we're having a party the last day of radiation," said Cathy Breslin.

The ladies will wear their pink shirts with pride, because they have weathered this storm together.

Those ladies will lace up their sneakers to be part of this year's Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure set for September 25th.

You can form a team or join LeAnne's team, or even get your school to participate as well.

Go to NewsOn6.com for more information. So far, LeAnne has 23 people on her team.