In September, Diana Covone, a long-time volunteer and board member of Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF), was honored with ABCF’s Volunteer of the Year award. For years, Diana has faithfully spearheaded the organization’s community outreach program as Volunteer Coordinator with remarkable dedication and commitment, even through difficult times.

In addition to volunteering her time and effort in a pivotal role on the outreach program, Diana serves on the ABCF board of directors, is an invaluable HELPLINE volunteer, particularly because she is bilingual, and is a member of the Patient Advocate Committee for the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. Her quiet determination, selflessness and kindness are evident to all who know her. Diana was born in the Republic of Panama, but the United States has been her home for the past 44 years. Her determined efforts to do her part to conquer breast cancer arose from her own personal battle with the disease. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1992, and because 22 lymph nodes were involved, she endured five rounds of chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and radiation, all within a year. She was cancer free until last year, when her physician told her the cancer had metastasized to her bones. Diana’s positive attitude and indomitable spirit are reflected in what she has said about her recurrence: “It was a shock to me and my family, but the cancer has been stable for over a year now, and I have faith that it will stay that way for many years. Meanwhile I will keep on doing my part with Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation to defeat this disease.”