I'm not sure if you've stepped into lululemon athletica, 1750 29th St., in Boulder before, but it is quite the inspiring little spot. It's a great store filled with functional athletic wear with a staff that is so involved in the community.

Dec. 16 marked the second annual Fashion as Function Show featuring cancer survivors modeling lululemon's clothes down a yoga mat runway in the middle of the store. This year's event kicked off Lunafest, the annual film festival showcasing films written by, for and about women. (By the way, the festival is Jan. 10 at the Boulder Theater. You can't miss it.)

The event also was a benefit for The Breast Cancer Fund and HealthLinks. The Breast Cancer Fund is the leading national organization focused on identifying the environmental causes of breast cancer and preventing the disease. HealthLinks is a local rehabilitation clinic for cancer patients that provides therapeutic exercise, physical rehabilitation, nutritional counseling and support services.

One of the hosts of the fashion show, Laura Kupperman, is a cancer survivor who now leads yoga therapy and coaching for children and adults. Her passion for yoga is amazing and it shows through how well she knows her clients. Some of them were participants in the show.

Susanne Boissevain Rothchild has been active her entire life. Her favorite athletic activities have included playing competitive tennis, running in races, swimming long distance, hiking, cross-country skiing, scuba diving, and taking fitness and dance classes. She even biked to the hospital to deliver her first born on a tropical island she and her husband were living on at the time.

However, despite all that activity, she was diagnosed seven years ago with stage two breast cancer, which was confirmed as Hodgkin's lymphoma after a surgery into her chest. At the time she was 42 and her sons Aaron and David were only 4 and 9 years old. And she was faced with the extremely rare and difficult situation of having to be treated for two cancers at the same time.

After a whirlwind trip with her husband, Elliott, to consult cancer clinics around the country, she decided treatment in Boulder was her best option. Sue then endured 12 weeks of weekly chemo for the lymphoma, six weeks of radiation for both cancers, daily drugs and multiple surgeries which included a mastectomy and ovary removal. She now continues to take daily "anti-estrogen" drugs.

The good news is that after seven years, Sue is still in full remission from both cancers! During her exhausting and stressful treatments she walked daily, which gave her more energy and helped her cope. She also started participating in activities with Rocky Mountain Team Survivor, which provides free fitness activities for any female cancer survivor. She eventually got back up to running again, and started doing fundraising efforts for various cancer organizations. The highlights included running a 5K in Austin to raise money for the Lance Armstrong Foundation (where her husband cycled 100 miles and they saw Lance up close!).

Then, last year she ran and walked a half marathon in Anchorage, Alaska, to celebrate her survival and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Due to side effects from having had two cancers, Sue cannot do everything the way she used to, but she still enjoys many athletic activities, as well as singing. Sue is also very thankful for the physical therapy she received from HealthLinks Clinic.

Nanci Hill Feeney moved to Colorado last spring and immediately embraced an active exercise lifestyle. She participated in her first triathlon last July. In August, she discovered a lump in her breast. It was diagnosed as cancerous. Nanci went on to ride a half century in the Buff Classic. A lumpectomy was performed and now she is undergoing chemotherapy (most recent treatment was last Thursday). While undergoing chemo, Nanci continues with her weight lifting classes, jogging and occasional biking. She competed in the (very windy) Colder Boulder and looks forward to skate skiing in January.

As a mother of two terrific girls with an awesome husband, she feels propelled forward by the love and positive energies aimed her way. She counts her incredible friends among her greatest blessings. In March, she turns 50 and hopes to celebrate by running a half marathon!

Gary Sobol is a 68-year-old husband, father and grandfather to 13 grandchildren. He also is an avid hiker (has climbed 35 of Colorado's 14,000-foot mountains), and an ex-ultramarathon runner.

Gary inherited an attenuated version of a rare colon/rectal disease known as FAP. This condition permits the out of control growth of polyps, a type of polyp that can quickly turn to cancer. In 1993, a routine examination revealed that Gary's large intestine contained hundreds of polyps. Although none were cancerous, he had 90 percent of his large intestine removed and he committed to six-month exams to have the remaining portion monitored. In October 2004, one of those routine examinations detected the presence of rectal cancer. Two weeks later, the rest of the colon/rectum had to be removed.

Today, Gary remains cancer free. The major surgeries have not affected his lifestyle. He continues to run, hike and lift weights. Two years ago, he started taking yoga classes with a cancer survivor group in Boulder. Yoga has become one of his favorite activities. It has helped him dramatically improve his strength and flexibility and allowed him to make several new friendships with some amazing survivors.

Born and raised in the Midwest, Leslie moved to Colorado in 1999 and finally found home. She has been teaching math for 13 years and loving the craziness inherent in every middle schooler! In August 2005, Leslie and her husband Troy expanded their family when 2-month-old Riley came to live with them.

In July 2006, his adoption was finalized, and two weeks later Leslie found out she had breast cancer. After chemotherapy, surgery and radiation, she is happy to say she is cancer-free and back to living a normal life (whatever that is). The most important lesson she learned was that the worst experiences in life can also be the best experiences. What a gift it was to be held up and carried along by so many people when she couldn't do it herself. And it's a gift that keeps on giving, as she continues to meet fellow survivors and share new experiences and a special bond with each of them.

This February will be two years since Lila was diagnosed with breast cancer in her right breast. After finding a lump in her right breast (yes, you should do those self-exams), Lila had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation. At the moment all seems well and she hopes it stays that way.

Lila grew up in Boulder and after about 10 years of traveling and living in various places on the planet she returned to Boulder to where her family lives. She is currently a middle school ELL language arts teacher in Longmont. She says, if she had to get cancer, she is glad it happened when she was living here in Colorado where she has family and friends who helped her through the ordeal and the beauty of the mountains to give her solace.

She has always tried to live life to the fullest, but now she embraces all things with more gusto. She loves to travel, hike, bike, swim and do yoga - all of which helped her get through treatment. She also likes to spend time with her supportive family and friends.

Anne received her diagnosis of breast cancer June 20, 2006. Her first response: "WHAT??? I'm too healthy to have cancer!" Her second response: educate herself, ask questions and walk the journey step by step. That journey has been a positive one, filled with insights and enriching experiences of love and support.

Anne started her exercise program the day after her first chemotherapy treatment and continues to this day - working on physical strengthening with weight lifting, abdominal exercises and the treadmill. In addition, she bikes, walks and practices yoga. Her exercise goal is to participate in the Danskin Triathlon in the summer of 2008.

Anne also spends time training her puppy Bella, doing her church volunteer work and creating art through quilting and drawing.

Inspirational quote: "Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is a quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" - Mary Anne Radmacher

Joan is a five-year breast cancer survivor. She is a nurse and author of a recently published book called, Curly: A Survivor's Story. Her cancer diagnosis came just six weeks after a normal mammogram. Although her doctors all agreed that she should have a simply lumpectomy and radiation, Joan was certain that she should have a bilateral mastectomy and reconstruction. That surgery led to a second and worse diagnosis of multiple tumors in the affected breast with lymph node metastasis. It was certainly life-saving but one of the most devastating moments of her life.

Her faith and love of exercise got her through the painful, bleak days during chemotherapy, so when Barb Morgan suggested at two years' survival that they climb Mt. Bierstadt, she didn't hesitate in saying yes. This past summer - in honor of the five-year mark, she climbed two 14ers with her son Justin. Just what will the 10-year mark hold? Maybe, three 14ers, but not in the same day. Of the summit to the top of the mountain, Joan comments, "When you take that last step and the awesome splendor of the world is at your feet, your entire life is put back into perspective. Cancer may change and even enhance your life, but it does not define it."

Joan loves to run, hike, bike, and spend time with her five kids and wonderful husband Jim. You might catch her in one of her newer activities NIA and yoga which she does with her friends from Rocky Mountain Team Survivor-Boulder.

Jan was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer after undergoing a lumpectomy in March 2007. The diagnosis was followed by three months of adjuvant chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation therapy that was completed in November.

In April 2007, Jan was referred to HealthLinks Clinic where she began a personalized program of weight training, resistance training, cardiovascular training, pilates and targeted massage for lymphedema prevention and nutritional and life counseling. Since then she has lost 15 pounds of unwanted weight and gained a lifelong appreciation for health investment. During that time, Jan also was introduced to yoga and attended a life-impressing and life-changing yoga clinic for breast cancer patients and survivors offered by Laura Kupperman.

With the help of family, friends and training, Jan is "thriving and not just surviving." And that's just the point. Don't just survive. And be genuine and transparent and you'll get by. Seek help. Seek the cause. But most of all - seek the solution.

Barb was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2006 on a routine mammogram. Two weeks later, she had a bilateral mastectomy by choice with reconstruction. Ten days after that, she started going to HealthLinks Clinic and continued throughout chemotherapy. She has exercised most of her life and knew how important it was in her recovery. Once she finished her chemo, she recovered quickly due to the exercise.

It has now been more than a year and half since her diagnosis and she feels great. She continues to exercise and attend the Yoga for Survivors class. Her cancer diagnosis was a very positive experience - even though it was very hard at the time. She hopes that her story will show that cancer is very real, but that is something one can get beyond - and then the understanding of "survivor" is clear.

Maureen Marty was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago. She underwent a right mastectomy, breast reconstruction, and eight rounds of chemo.

To keep fit, Maureen does yoga, lifts weights and enjoys walking. She's recently taken up golf and has enrolled in a ballet class that starts next month.

Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. After a lumpectomy and radiation therapy on her left breast, she thought she was "done" with cancer. One year later, her other breast showed signs of tissue change. As Kim puts it, "took the bull by the horns" and opted for prophylactic bilateral mastectomies with reconstruction in October 2006.

Kim has been an ambassador for Team Luna, Mountain Bike here in Boulder. She has been raising money and awareness for The Breast Cancer Fund since 2000. In 2006, she climbed Mt. Shasta, a 14,000-foot peak in northern California, raising over $8,000 for the Breast Cancer Fund.

Kim loves to be active. Many of her hobbies include biking, waterskiing, ski mountaineering, horseback riding, yoga, pilates, walking her beloved Springer Spaniel Katy and playing with her husband David.

Besides her involvement with Luna and The Breast Cancer Fund, Kim co-owns a magazine distribution company and serves on the board of HealthLinks Foundation here in Boulder.

Her motto is "I don't want to just talk about something or dream about it. I want to do it."

Anne is a 50-year-old two-time breast cancer survivor. Her first diagnosis came at age 44. Following a lumpectomy and radiation and several years of hormonal therapy, she remained disease free until three months ago - when a new cancer was discovered. Treatment this time involved a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, and will include several more years of hormonal medication.

Anne is a family nurse practitioner who loves the active lifestyle that Colorado offers. She began climbing at the Boulder Rock Club three years ago, and has developed a passion for this sport. She also enjoys showshoeing, hiking, biking and yoga.

Anne became involved with HealthLinks Clinic following her recent bout with breast cancer. With the help of their wonderful staff, she is quickly regaining strength and endurance, and anticipates climbing in the gym again later this month.

Laurie Turney is a two-time breast cancer survivor, although she now says she's earned the title of "warrior" because her last battle was pretty rough.

Laurie was first diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 34 and then again at 43. She completed chemo and radiation one year ago and she says she's now feels better than ever!

She said it was pretty scary to be diagnosed again after nine years, but she says she pretty quickly adopted the attitude of "whatever it takes!" She knew she needed to do everything she could to survive.

Laurie says her wonderful husband Brant was her rock and her friends and family were so supportive.

She is the captain of Team Laurie each year for the Race for the Cure and she is a triathlete as well. She has participated in the Danskin Triathlon and the Tri for the Cure - both women's triathlons that raise money for and support breast cancer research and education. Her next goal is to complete an Olympic distance triathlon.

Laurie currently swims on a Masters swim team and her hobbies include gardening, riding and grooming her horse and taking he two Labs for walks.
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