10.17.2003
SCE Employee Beverly Austin Advocates Breast Cancer Awareness

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Oct. 17, 2003 — “God gives everyone a mission,” said breast cancer survivor Beverly Austin. “My life was spared so that I could talk to other women about breast cancer.”

Austin learned she had breast cancer in July 1998, while working as a Southern California Edison T&D Designer. Her gynecologist of 20 years felt a small lump in her breast days earlier, and recommended that she have a mammography. The test revealed the lump was cancerous.

A 40-year-old African American woman with no family history of breast cancer, Austin was shocked by the news. “I felt like my body had turned on me,” said Austin. She walked into her supervisor’s office and started cry. Her supervisor listened and shared that his mother also had breast cancer.

Although statistics show that African American women are more likely to die of breast cancer than white women, Austin was diagnosed in the earliest stages of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). She had a lumpectomy at City of Hope Hospital, followed by six weeks of radiation and six months of chemotherapy.

Although the treatments made her weak and nauseous, Austin decided to keep working. She would get chemotherapy on Friday, use the weekend for recovery, and be back to work on Monday. “I wanted to keep my life as normal as possible,” she said.

Before she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Austin had become familiar with City of Hope Hospital during an on-site review on behalf of SCE’s Employee Contribution Campaign. SCE gives employees the opportunity to help make a difference in their communities and in many people’s lives. Now she is an active volunteer at the hospital, speaking to women about breast cancer and preventative measures.

She also conducts workshops through the Hattie Anderson Breast Foundation, to raise awareness among African American women, who have a higher breast cancer mortality rate at every age, and a lower survival rate than white women. Austin understands that African American women may be leery about going to the doctor or don’t think they will be the one to get breast cancer, but takes every opportunity to remind them that “early detection is the key.”

She also reminds them that they have to have a positive attitude to survive the disease. “Love and support from family and friends take you over the top,” said Austin.

As Austin continues to pursue her mission, she is happy to work for a company where she is given the support to attend fundraisers and speaking engagements. Through a one-time gift or self-designated payroll deduction, SCE employees may contribute to legally registered nonprofits of their choice. “Everyone at SCE has been very supportive,” she said.

When asked about her commitment, Austin proudly replies: “I want a cure. I want to educate. I want to save a life. I want to be a part of the support. This is my mission for life.”

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An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 11 million via 4.3 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California.

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