Shelia Hager
Shelia, the middle child of three daughters, was told at age 41 she had breast cancer. In the midst of working a full-time job, taking care of her son and daughter and going through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, the insurance company decided it was going to drop her coverage. This sent Shelia into the Missouri "pool of insurers" who will provide insurance to someone who has cancer, but the cancer patient must pay the premiums - extremely high - set by the insurers.

Resiliency and determination helped Shelia deal with all of that in 1999, and she lived a busy life with the addition of four grandchildren all born after her diagnosis. Her first grandchild actually was born on Shelia's birthday! The cancer came back in 2015 and took Shelia from us in June 2016.

Why do we have A Sister's Hope? Because Shelia's granddaughter Izobel should not have to worry about breast cancer when she is 41. What we do right now, today, is vital to Izobel's future.


Petra Blaauw
Petra was a participant of A Sister's Hope 60K Walk since the very first year (2007) when she claimed Walker #1077. She also served as a member of the check-in team, and her partner Jan van Aalzum has videotaped the entire Walk weekend each year. Petra and her team, "Walking on Sunshine," led the 60K walkers and crew into the Olympic Stadium for the closing ceremony on Oct. 7, 2012. After a long, hard-fought battle with a breast cancer recurrence, Petra passed away on Nov. 27, 2012. Her daughters and her baby granddaughter stood with her in the Olympic Stadium on October 7. Petra participated not only for herself. She was also doing it for them.