Austin woman with family history of cancer recovers

Most people realize life will break them down at some point.

For Patty Urlick of Austin, that moment happened two years ago when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It was like a kick in the stomach,” Urlick said about the moment she found out. “It was probably one of the most frightening things that can happen, but you’re forced to regroup, use your support systems.”

And Urlick did regroup. She is a survivor, cancer-free and one of this year’s honorary chairs at Mower County’s Relay for Life Aug. 6 and 7. She is a Relay for Life team captain, attending the relay for her second year and a strong advocate for cancer research — with good reason.

Not only did Urlick cope with her own struggles with cancer, her mother died of melanoma when Urlick was 9 years old. Though doctor’s didn’t find the mutant, breast cancer-causing gene in her family’s DNA, Urlick has other family members who have dealt with cancer.

Relay for life is a good way for her to fight back. Raising awareness about cancer is Urlick’s main goal because she — like others — had the same mindset that says, “It won’t happen to me.”

“You don’t feel immune, but you don’t ever really think it’s going to happen to you,” Urlick said.

She also wants to raise awareness because even though there are many survivors, cancer is still killing too many people. Urlick said she doesn’t want to wear her story on her sleeve, but she feels it is necessary for those struggling with cancer to hear it because they often feel alone — just like she did at first.

“In my experience, bearing the unknown was almost worse than going through it,” Urlick ick said.

So Urlick isn’t afraid to talk about cancer anymore, even though her story repeats the same points as many others’ stories.

“Gosh, my story is everybody’s story,” Urlick said, detailing what it’s like having to talk about cancer survival. “But if one person can become more aware and more proactive, then that’s great.”

Part of Urlick’s mission as a Relay for Life team captain is to raise funds for cancer research. In just one month after sending out cancer fliers, she collected nearly $2,500 dollars for Relay for Life. Urlick also found a whole new community through Relay for Life — one that pays close attention to cancer and provides support for those struggling with the disease.

“You’re just full of exposure to other survivors,” she said.

She added people reached out to her when she had cancer, so that’s why she is ready to share her experiences and give back.

“I’m more than happy to help other people with that,” Urlick said about discussing cancer with people looking support.

If anything positive can come from cancer, it’s likely the unity it forms in communities. And through all the pitfalls of cancer, Urlick has at least gained something for herself, too.

“It actually made me stronger,” she said.