El Paso cancer survivor launches annual awareness event to support others

Marlene Rivera spent 16 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation fighting invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 3 breast cancer. Now the El Paso resident is channeling her recovery into support for others through the annual Wonder Warrior Breast Cancer Awareness Event, according to KVIA.

Rivera said her initial response to her diagnosis was to focus on action. "When I first heard those words, you know, 'You have cancer'—I didn't freak out," Rivera said. "I was just kind of like, 'Okay, so what do I do now? You know, what's the first thing that I do?'"

Family became her anchor throughout treatment. Rivera said she drew strength from her children and relatives as she moved through the medical process. "I was just thinking about my kids. You know, I was thinking about my family that I needed to fight for," she said. "And I'm still fighting for them."

The Wonder Warrior name came from her children, who nicknamed their mother after the superhero. With additional surgeries still ahead of her, Rivera continues to receive support from her family, friends, and fellow survivors.

The third annual Wonder Warrior Breast Cancer Awareness Event took place October 17, according to KVIA. Rivera plans to hold the event again in October 2027. She views her recovery as both a personal milestone and an opportunity to strengthen her community.

"You're more powerful than our mind, you know, than what we think," Rivera said. "So, I mean, you have to have faith. Without faith, we can't get through anything." For information about the event, Rivera's social media pages provide updates and details about future editions.