Breast Cancer Survivor Kris West Shares Her Story

Breast cancer survivor Kris West doesn’t dwell on her diagnosis and daily battle with cancer. Instead she spreads a message to stay positive and active.

“My cancer is stage 4,” says Kris. “It’s treatable, but not curable.”

Doctors diagnosed Kris with stage 4 breast cancer in 2013.

“It metastasized and was in my lymph nodes and bones from head to toe,” explains Kris.

The Maple Grove mother of three began treatment and has found success living with cancer.

“It’s always there, in the back of your mind,” says Kris. “But you try to be normal.”

Kris is still often in pain and the medicines she uses sometimes cause other complications. She twisted her foot and ankle nine months ago and the bones have had difficulty healing. She’s still not putting weight on her foot and finds the immobility hampers her active lifestyle.

Kris West will be keynote speaker at Hope in Motion 5K

One of the most remarkable qualities of Kris West is that she’s a voice of encouragement. The first year of Hope in Motion 5K and Family Walk, she volunteered to share her story as a survivor. On the fifth anniversary of Hope in Motion, Kris will be the keynote speaker.

“It’s been a god thing to be a part of and I really enjoy it,” says Kris. “It’s cancer survivor day and all the money goes back to cancer patients.”

Minnesota Oncology presents Hope in Motion to celebrate survivors of all types of cancer. The signature event raises money for the Angel Foundation, a nonprofit that provides adults in active cancer treatment and their families with financial assistance to pay for non-medical expenses such as rent, mortgage, utilities and phone bills.

This year, the Hope in Motion 5k and Family Walk will be Sunday, June 3 at Lake Phalen Regional Park in St. Paul.