Longtime Richmondite, Debbie Murphy, has been attending the Nite of Hope for 15 years, since Judi Miller took it out of her home and onto a larger stage.
For years, Murphy, 56, said she attended in support of women in her community fighting this insidious disease.
Little did she know that breast cancer would become her reality. With no family history of breast cancer, Murphy was shocked when just before her 54th birthday, her doctor found the cancer in her breast ducts.
"It was spring of 2011, and I wasn't actually supposed to have a mammogram because I was going every two years," said the realtor.
"I went in anyway and my doctor told me that if I had not gone for the test, on this my off year, I'd be dead."
Murphy said her breast cancer was hard to detect "because you couldn't feel lumps because the cancer was in my breast ducts."
In the end, because the ducts were riddled with cancer, Murphy opted to have her right breast removed.
A year later, under her doctor's advice, she had her left breast removed as a precautionary measure.
"When you first hear you have cancer you go into complete panic mode . the word is in your head constantly," she said.
For Murphy, one of the ways she dealt with her cancer diagnosis was to join Abreast in Richmond - a team of women who have all fought breast cancer and compete in friendly rowing competitions.
"It's been so uplifting for me," she said. "We are women all trying to live positively . we come from all walks of life, different professions and all age groups but united by breast cancer.
"It is so inspiring to be part of this amazing group of strong women."
In the meantime, Murphy said the night's Rose Ceremony is always an emotional moment for her - remembering and honouring those who have passed away from the disease and those still fighting it.
"It's hard to go up there and see all these women at various stages of their breast cancer journey," she added.
"This year, a friend of mine went up and she got so emotional that I was finding it really hard to hold it together and not start crying."
In addition, Murphy said Nite of Hope really brings to the forefront how prevalent breast cancer is in the community.
"It's unreal the number of women falling prey to breast cancer," she added. "To know that Nite of Hope helps by raising money to find a cure; that is reason enough for me to support it every year."
