Nancy J. DiDia

As Vice President of Diversity for Consumer Financial Services for JP Morgan Chase, Nancy DiDia works to increase awareness of other people's backgrounds and differences. After being diagnosed with stage 1 invasive breast cancer in April 2001, she turned the focus to her own process of gathering information on breast cancer.

She scoured books and the Internet for as much information as possible about her diagnosis and treatment options. She also joined local support groups and provided a sympathetic ear to other patients being treated by her oncologist. After her diagnosis, Nancy had a lumpectomy and an axillary node dissection, followed by chemo and radiation.

Nancy's cancer was diagnosed because she was vigilant about performing self-examination. "My mother and my older sister were, and are, breast cancer survivors. And now, I'm one too," she says. "The best thing I ever did was to gather as much information as I could, and network with other women like me. After the diagnosis, I really felt a loss of control. I sought every positive image and did everything I could to surround myself with healing energy, and with love from my family and friends." Nancy joined the breastcancer.org Consumer Advisory Board so that she can "give back to others by relaying the importance of early detection and the importance of positive attitudes."