Release Date: March 23, 2009

DAVENPORT----The breast cancer diagnosis of a Quad-City medical professional truly underscores the importance of a yearly mammogram.

Nurse practitioner Peggy Newkirk, 61, of Rock Island, performs regular breast exams. She felt nothing strange, but her yearly exam in February of 2006 led to an alarming diagnosis—stage 3 A breast cancer.

Peggy knew what she saw on an ultrasound was breast cancer. What alarmed her was how advanced it was.

“When I woke up from the surgery, and I found out they took lymph nodes, that surprised me. When I heard it was stage 3, that really knocked my socks off,” she said.

Peggy’s breast cancer was treated with a lumpectomy, removal of lymph nodes, chemotherapy, and radiation. She’s thankful that the mammogram caught the disease when it did.

“If I didn’t have a mammogram, it may have been caught much later. We just have to be diligent. It can be so sneaky,” she said.

Peggy says the importance of a yearly mammogram can’t be stressed enough.

“There are ways everyone can get a mammogram. That’s why we do Race for the Cure®, to get women the care that they deserve. Ultimately, we need to find the cause of breast cancer and the cure. In the meantime, we need to diagnose and treat it so women can go on with their lives for many years,” she said.

Peggy was nominated for the honorary survivor chair position by fellow nurse practitioner Nancy Agnew, who also works for Genesis Health Group, Davenport.

“I think Peggy goes the extra mile for people who are diagnosed with breast problems. She’s very empathetic,” said Agnew.

Peggy and her husband, Jon, reside in Rock Island. Peggy has two sons and two grandchildren.

The 20th Annual Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure® will be held on Saturday, June 13th, 2009, beginning outside of the i wireless Center in downtown Moline, Illinois. Since it’s inception in 1990, the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate has raised more than $4.1 million. In 2008, approximately $200,000 was granted for breast health services for underinsured and underserved women in our eight-county, bi-state service area. Up to 75% of proceeds from the Race and other Affiliate events benefit women in the greater Quad Cities. At least 25% of funds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program.

Local presenting sponsors for the Race are the Genesis Center for Breast Health KLJB Fox 18.

For more information about the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate or Race for the Cure®, or to request an interview or a program by Peggy Newkirk, 2009 Honorary Survivor Chair, please call Race PR and Marketing Consultant Christina McNamara-Schmidt at (563) 391-1045 or the Race hotline at (563) 421-CURE (2873).