NEW ORLEANS - s4story -- Twenty-five years ago, Karen Stall was praying for enough time to raise her two young sons after being diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer.

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stall and the Karen T. Stall Research & Breast Institute (KTSRBI) are marking her 25-year "cancerversary" with 25 Years of Giving, a campaign supporting patients and families facing the financial and personal challenges of cancer.

"When you hear those three dreaded words, 'You have cancer,' your mind completely blanks. The floor crashes beneath you," Stall said. "My most desperate thoughts were focused on my children. I remember praying, 'God, please leave me on this earth to at least raise my children to be independent adults.'"

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Her sons were just 16 and 11.

During treatment, Stall made a promise that if she was given more time, she'd use it to make a difference for others.

That promise ultimately became KTSRBI.

After treatment, Stall became involved in research supporting 3D tomosynthesis mammography and brought that advocacy home to Louisiana. Working with state lawmakers, she advocated for expanded access to the technology. In 2018, Louisiana became the ninth state to make 3D tomosynthesis the standard of care.

Through KTSRBI, Stall and her family developed grants for eligible patients experiencing financial hardship during breast cancer treatment and helped connect survivors with resources and support. Her advocacy continues through the Cancer Advocacy Group of Louisiana, working to improve cancer care and insurance coverage.

"Helping others navigate their journeys has been one of the most satisfying parts of all of this," Stall said. "Having breast cancer is not the worst thing that's ever happened to me. It opened my eyes to the difference I could make for someone else."

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The 25 Years of Giving campaign invites the community to continue that work, supporting patient transportation, integrative therapies and financial grants for eligible patients facing a breast cancer crisis.

For Stall, however, the most meaningful part of reaching 25 years is much simpler.

"What I'm most grateful for is being able to hold my grandbabies and hear them shout, 'Rocky, we love you so much!'" Stall said. "I never dreamed I would live to see these days."

Twenty-five years after praying for enough time to raise her boys, Stall is still here, and still keeping the promise she made during treatment.

To learn more, find cancer resources or support 25 Years of Giving, visit https://ktsrbi.org.