Kimberly Dawn Rose:  The Face of Grace

 Like most young women, Kimberly Dawn Rose feared nothing more than leaving her three young children, ages, 8, 11 and 13, without a mother.  Sadly, her worst fear became a reality when breast cancer took the life of this remarkable woman who lived…and died…in a state of grace.

 In 2001, this full-time homemaker was full of life and excited about the future.  She and her husband, Robert, were very much in love, deeply religious and devoted to their children.  Then in May of 2002, at the age of 38, Dawn found a lump in her breast during a self-exam and discovered that she had breast cancer.  Unfortunately, the cancer was too advanced for surgery.  She had no family history of the disease.

 Determined to fight the disease and become cancer free, Dawn began aggressive chemotherapy, which made her ill.  Despite failing health and her own worries, Dawn became a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and education.  For her courage, she was chosen as Augusta’s Hometown Hero by the Komen Foundation, a national breast cancer organization that works with BMW to sponsor “Drive for the Cure.”

 During the two year fight for life, Dawn’s faith in God remained unshakable.  According to her friends and family, she felt that God would take care of her no matter what the outcome.  Even when Dawn knew the end was near, she never asked, “Why is this happening to me?”

 Dawn died at home, with her family on August 3, 2004.  She is now cancer free.

 Submitted by:

Pam Anderson, RN

BreastHealthCenter

UniversityHospital