Bright Starts has chosen Cathy Gailey of Fayetteville, Ga. as one of eight inspirational mothers who has overcome breast cancer and used the opportunity to model positive lessons to all, especially her children. Gailey and the seven other “Pink Power Moms” converged in Atlanta for a weekend of wellness and pampering. Since Gailey was the only local winner, they picked her up in a limo and then ushered her and the others to Emeril’s for dinner. The next day Gailey and her daughter Brittany were treated to a day at the spa. Next they were recognized at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Pink Tie Ball. In addition, Gailey was also featured in a national advertising campaign, with her inspirational story shared throughout the world. A donation of $1,500 to the breast cancer charity of her choice, Bikers Riding for Awareness (BRA), was given in her name.

Gailey always made a point of performing monthly self-breast exams. After finding a lump, she was diagnosed with cancer. She made the decision to have a mastectomy and then underwent aggressive chemotherapy. Instead of watching her hair fall out little by little, Gailey let her children Brittany and Kenny shave her head. Each of them left their mark by shaving hearts with their initials in them. Gailey says it was her kids and her family that kept her fighting.

Gailey, along with another breast cancer survivor Sheri Waynick, founded Bikers Riding for Awareness. October was their pilot year as they ventured out on motorcycles to high schools in Fayette County and the City of Fairburn. Their mission: to teach junior and senior high school girls how to perform self-breast exams while raising breast cancer awareness. Since the program they have been approached by several moms thanking them for the life lessons their daughters learned.

One particularly touching moment came when a mom told them her daughter came home and performed her first breast exam. She found a lump. They went to the doctor who said the lump was suspicious and scheduled an ultra sound. This is what the program was designed to do. Educate and empower young women.

Gailey is a realtor with RE/MAX Around Atlanta Results located in Peachtree City. She is a Phoenix Lifetime Million Dollar Award winner.

Today, Gailey is a ten year cancer survivor and a Bright Starts Pink Power Mom.

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