ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Breast cancer survivor and honorary guest speaker Shelley Herlihy shared an empowering story at Rockford's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk kickoff event.

"My biggest fear or concern was telling my boys that I was sick," shared Herlihy.

Herlihy was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2009.

"One of the hardest parts was losing my hair. Waking up to a pillow full of hair, was one of the few times that I cried throughout the entire journey," explained Herlihy.

Herlihy's two sons supported her through the battle.

"Being a single mom, I just knew that I had to be there for them and I wanted to be there for them. So giving up, not following through with the treatments that were recommended, none of that was ever an option for me," Said Herl

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