Breast Cancer Survivor, Mother Helps Students at Riverdale Elementary Raise Awareness

Christina Burton, a mother whose six children range between 6 and 21, works as an Avon representative and is the vice president and volunteer coordinator for the Parent-Teacher Organization. 

That, and she’s battled breast cancer for 11 years. 

Burton devotes much of her time volunteering for breast cancer patients who need better care. She was inspired by a neighbor whose breast cancer treatment was different than Burton’s because the woman lacked health insurance. 

“That was the beginning of me thinking this was unfair,” Burton said. “People shouldn’t have to die or suffer because of poor health insurance.”

Burton was diagnosed at age 29, after she noticed a lump on her breast and had some discomfort in the area. She and her neighbor, who had breast cancer at the same time, compared treatment methods and medications, and she said she realized there were large differences in the quality of care her neighbor received.

Throughout her own treatment and care, Burton said her children were a huge source of support and empowerment. 

Although she said she has never had a mastectomy, she has had several lumpectomies in addition to chemotherapy, radiation and various combinations of medications. 

Burton began volunteering with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in St. Louis, where she was living at the time. She said she went to local churches and high schools to help raise participation in the Race for the Cure. 

She said she also worked with the Witness Project, a wellness program that encourages survivors to travel to organizations and schools, demonstrate self-examinations, talk about healthy eating habits and provide facts about the disease.  

“It’s so important for women to understand how to do a ,” Burton said. “So many people, even women my age, are just not informed about it.”

In fact, Burton is so committed to this particular aspect of prevention that, despite affectionate teasing from friends and family, she said she carries around a small prosthesis in her purse that allows a person to feel what a lump in the breast feels like.

Burton left St. Louis and moved to Riverdale Park in 2009. She said she began volunteering at Riverdale Elementary, where her son attends school, almost immediately.

In the spring of 2010, she joined the PTO. Burton said her drive to volunteer is a result of her breast cancer experience. 

“I was given so much help and support during my treatment, I can’t live in a community without offering my service,” she said. 

On Thursday, Riverdale Elementary students participated in a , which Burton started at the school last year.

Jacqueline Jacobs, the professional school counselor for Riverdale Elementary, said she has worked with Burton this year on raising students’ awareness.

Jacobs, who is in charge of the school’s TV studio, said that each morning, someone will announce a breast cancer fact on the show, as well as discuss the definition of breast cancer, prevention methods and other educational information.

Burton’s and Jacobs’ efforts appear to have made a difference. One mother told them she was grateful for the information her children learned at school.  She had recently been diagnosed and was struggling with how to talk to her children about it.

Jacobs said this is her first year working with Burton, whom she called “very committed and pleasant to work with.” 

As for her own cancer, Burton says she has been in remission for about one year.