JoAnne Aldrich had a feeling something was wrong. In 2001, the San Francisco resident went into surgery for what was supposed to be a routine hysterectomy, but she had been having symptoms that seemed odd.

Then she awoke from her operation to find an unfamiliar face: the cancer specialist who took her regular surgeon’s place in the middle of her procedure. The surgical team had found what later was confirmed to be ovarian cancer, and doctors told her she probably would not live. But Aldrich had other plans.

JoAnne Aldrich, right, helps lead the warm up for the San Francisco Walk for Hope event. (Photo by Alex Edgardo Alvarenga)

“When you find out you have cancer, it hits you right in the face. But the doctor wasn’t God, and I wasn’t going to die,” said Aldrich. Faced with stage 2B ovarian cancer, she began chemotherapy, and four months later, the cancer was gone.

Now cancer-free for nine years, Aldrich, 63, was among hundreds of people taking a stand against women’s cancers at the San Francisco Walk for Hope Nationally Presented by Staples on June 7. The event raised $135,000 for women’s cancer research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.

“Walk for Hope brings awareness to everyone,” said Aldrich. “There may not be cancer in your family. But you usually know someone who has had cancer, and the Walk gives you a way to support them.”

Without any family history of cancer, her husband and daughter were shocked when she told them she had the disease. She always exercised and followed a healthy diet. Despite her diagnosis, though, Aldrich was determined to survive; she credits her faith in God for her fearlessness.

After she finished treatment and regained her health, she was determined to leverage her experience as a survivor to help others battling cancer. She currently volunteers with newly diagnosed cancer patients, providing nutritional counseling and emotional support.

“You really can’t know what it’s like to battle cancer unless you have it,” she explained. “There are things you don’t share with your family because you don’t want to worry them. It’s easier to be honest with someone who’s been there.”

Although she works regularly with cancer patients, Aldrich says she rarely thinks about having had cancer. She keeps busy running half marathons, practicing yoga and Pilates and working part time.

Aldrich says the biggest life lesson she learned is to be less hurried. Since her last chemotherapy treatment nine years ago, Aldrich is determined to appreciate every moment while not taking anything or anyone for granted.

“Now when I walk my dog, I don’t try to hurry and pull him behind me,” said Aldrich. “I just take that moment in as if I have nowhere else to be.”