Southeast Side Mom Raises Breast Cancer Awareness at Bears Game

Jacksenia Rodriguez, 33, a two-time winner in the battle against breast cancer, joined dozens of breast cancer survivors, fighters and family members from across Illinois to help pink out Soldier Field on October 22, as part of a joint effort between Advocate Health Care and the Chicago Bears to raise awareness about breast cancer.

Rodriguez joined fans throughout the stadium wearing “Real Bears Fans Wear Pink” t-shirts to celebrate every survivor’s victory over breast cancer, and encourage women to get screened for breast cancer. One in eight women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime.

Rodriguez, a stay-at-home mother of four children between the ages of 7 and 15, was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012, after an annual check-up discovered a lump in her left breast. Breast cancer returned in the same breast in 2016.

“I kind of learned from it. I feel like I grew from both experiences,” Rodriguez says. “The first time, I didn’t know anything about cancer or breast cancer. I was really scared. But the second time I knew what to expect [from the treatment] and people would be like ‘you don’t even look sick.”

“Early detection can improve your chances of winning your fight against breast cancer. So, in October and throughout the year, it’s important for women to get a screening mammogram and rise above any fears that may stand in the way,” says Deanna Bruce, RN, an oncology-certified nurse at the Advocate Trinity Hospital Infusion Center.

Rodriguez says her first bout with breast cancer helped her understand the magnitude of her personal power. Beating the disease for a second time brought an inner peace that Rodriguez now encourages others to find themselves.