MATTAWA - She was only 39, and it was just two days after her first son's graduation when Andrea Eckenberg got the devastating news she had breast cancer.

"It's a good thing my husband was home," she said recently. "I couldn't breathe. The world stopped. 

"The first thing that pops into your mind is, I'm going to die. I'm 39, and I'm going to die."

"I had plans. I had done the child-raising thing. I was going to get more into volunteerism."

Eckenberg did not die, and she's doing volunteer work that's dear to her heart. The fourth Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K non-competitive walk will be held in the Tri-Cities on May 7.

Eckenberg makes the walk every year with her parents, siblings,  children, grandchildren, nieces and friends. She refers to the group as Andrea's Angels. It has been as large as 23 angels.

"This event is particularly special to me because it is held on Mother's Day weekend, when we acknowledge some of the most special women in our lives," Eckenberg said. "Also because I am a breast cancer survivor, and this event commemorates the four years I've been cancer-free."

The walk is a fund-raiser for breast cancer research. Andrea's Angels raised $3,000 the first year and $2,148 last year. This year's goal is $4,000.

This is not a pledge-for-laps fund-raiser. People are simply asked to donate whatever they may. There is no track, only a pathway at Howard Amon Park in Richland.

Eckenberg and her angels request donations by email, snail mail, phone call or in person. It is not a high-pressure campaign. The requests are made usually of friends and acquaintances.

"The Grant County Fire District No. 8's firefighter association has been one of the biggest donors," Eckenberg said.

That could be because Eckenberg was a volunteer emergency medical technician with the same department before her cancer.

Eckenberg is involved in Making Strides Against Breast Cancer because of her experience. She is passionate about it because she  hopes research will make things better for future victims or eliminate the disease. 

"I have a daughter. I have granddaughters," Eckenberg said. "It's a real possibility in my head now."

Cancer was not a possibility before Eckenberg's 2006 biopsy. Even when her doctor called on June 5 with the results, cancer was not a possibility.

"It had to be good news," she said. "They don't call you at home and tell you have cancer. Then the doctor said, 'It's cancer.'"

Eckenberg's cancer advanced to her lymph nodes, but it was halted before spreading to any organs. It is in remission.

"There is no cure for cancer," she said. "That is the ultimate goal."

The news in 2006 was "scary," according to Eckenberg. So was the road to remission. 

But there were blessings along the way that Eckenberg had not expected. People, including some she did not know, prayed for her and came to her aid.

"I had people bringing dinner to my home," she said. "They brought me dinner every night for the first month."

Having gone through this experience, Eckenberg is committed to do all she can for the battle against breast cancer. There will be many walks ahead.

"Those of us who have been through a journey with breast cancer know that you can never really put it completely behind you. Once touched by cancer, you live with the knowledge that your life can truly be altered in just one moment in time," Eckenberg said.

"One in eight women will hear the words, 'You have breast cancer,' at some time in her life," Eckenberg added. "Andrea's Angels' purpose is to celebrate life and to raise the money needed for research that the American Cancer Society does to find a cure for breast cancer."

One year after Eckenberg was diagnosed, her grandmother, Phyllis Schwint, was diagnosed. Grandma is in remission now and "doing well," Eckenberg said.

If you have questions for Eckenberg or want to donate to the cause, you may call her at 932-4025. You may also go to the website http://makingstrides.acsevents.org/kennewick and sponsor Andrea's Angels with a donation.