Celebrities occupy a unique place in society, whose message can get out to millions. The experiences of Yasmine Bleeth (ABCG 1999), Peggy Fleming (2000), Cynthia Nixon (2002), Susan Somers (2003), and singers Diahann Caroll and Soraya (2004) underscore the importance of sharing – sharing for hope and for healing. Courage and fortitude remain a common theme and have become a rallying cry for more information and greater awareness among these high profile individuals.

Their stories serve as beacons of hope and encouragement. Each woman, whether the sufferer of breast cancer herself, or the daughter of a victim, had to deal with this unexpected turn that life sometimes throws our way. Each of them dealt with it her own unique way.

Of course the celebrities we featured are not the only ones to have experienced breast cancer. For example, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor has been a survivor since in 1988. Singer Carly Simon had a malignant tumor removed from her breast roughly ten years later. Breast cancer struck these women in a way that served as a catalyst of awareness for other women. Olivia Newton-John, who catapulted her career with her star-turning appearance in “Grease”, had a mastectomy in 1992 — and has done much to raise awareness as she talks about her experiences and joins in the fight for the cure. Hoping to encourage women to engage in monthly breast self-examinations, she developed and is promoting the Liv Kit – an easy to use aid that increases sensitivity making hard-to-detect lumps easier to feel.

Pop star Kylie Minogue’s brush with breast cancer offers a more current perspective. This talented Australian pop singer burst into the starlight with her racy videos and fresh songs. Just recently she was diagnosed with breast cancer and is receiving treatment. Well-wishers poured in their support, and Kylie Minogue suggested that instead of sending flowers they make a small donation to the charities that fight breast cancer. How we deal with the hard parts of life mirrors our character, and these women shine like beacons to the countless thousands who have benefited from their wisdom and experiences. They are true advocates in every sense of the word – for themselves, and for others.

In her eponymous album, “Soraya,” the acclaimed Colombian-American superstar sings, “I almost fell apart that day, I almost came undone in that haze; I almost lost the hold I had on my life….”

Breast cancer in Soraya’s family is all too common. Her grandmother, mother and aunt all died of the disease, at a relatively young age.

In 2000, less than a week after releasing a new album — paradoxically called Body and Soul — Soraya discovered a lump in her breast. She cancelled her tour and began to attack the disease aggressively, vowing to “be stronger than the cancer.” She had a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, several rounds of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, before her body beat back the cancer.

For Soraya, this reconstruction included vows to involve herself more as a breast cancer activist. She became the Susan G. Komen Foudation’s Latin spokeswoman particularly to minorities and younger women.

On the personal front, fighting cancer has taught Soraya to relax a bit more and not to sweat the small stuff. “The songs just started writing themselves,” she says. “I didn’t know I was going to make another record. I didn’t know I was going to tour again. I just started writing.”

The result, the album Soraya calls “the best artistic work of my life. It’s all about hope choosing hope.”

All of our celebrities led active, healthy lifestyles before the advent of their breast cancer. They exercised, ate well, and were happy, successful lovers of life. Breast cancer hit them out of the blue – a curve ball that can leave us incapacitated and riddled with fear and uncertainty. These women fought back with grit and determination. Their successes highlight the resiliency of their will and the strength of their hope.This is not to say that some did not experience a share of adversity prior to having to deal with the devastating news of breast cancer.

Suzanne Somers suffered through childhood abuse and career difficulties dealing with an industry that, at the time, did not afford women the same rate of pay as men. Diahann Carroll battled racism and discrimination, along with destructive relationships that ended in failure. The stigma of having cancer in Hollywood itself presented difficulties to many of these accomplished actors. Cynthia Nixon did not go public about it for two years. Diahann Carroll feared career reprisals should her cancer status become known.

Despite these difficulties, being a celebrity afforded these women a platform on which to stand and speak out on the trials they went through and the battles they overcame.

For example, Cynthia Nixon was able to convince the head of NBC to air her breast cancer special primetime. Diahann Carroll had a camera crew follow her into the treatment room for broadcast as a special.

The unique position these women hold in the public eye has enabled them to lend hope and inspiration to millions. For example, Yasmine Bleeth, whose mom Carina died prematurely from breast cancer, misses no opportunity to spread the word about breast cancer research, treatment, or prevention.

All these women are advocates, and prevention and early detection has become a rallying cry for most of them. Peggy Fleming is big on not procrastinating and recommends early detection. She speaks rightly when she says, “If you catch most breast cancers early enough, it’s very treatable.”

The importance of mammograms and self-exam is also touted by Diahann Carroll and Yasmine Bleeth. Cynthia Nixon “didn’t procrastinate like I know many women do.” Being active and not passive in their fight against the disease is standard for these women, but on top of that these women are proactive. They don’t let life lead them.

These women know that they have options. They will not let the cancer or others dictate their prognosis. Holding a conference call with five of her doctors, Suzanne Somers made it clear to them that the ultimate decision regarding treatment was up to her.

Breast cancer can be a scary thing. Breaking through the confusion and uncertainty and fear takes a strong mind and a positive attitude.

Despite the vaunted lives these women lead on screen, their experience with breast cancer is very real. Women everywhere can relate to them. They can see in their stories options they didn’t feel were available to them. They discover they are not alone and that hope is on the horizon.

Overcoming the fear and denial associated with breast cancer takes resolve, but is also one of the first major steps towards recovery.

Yasmine Bleeth echoes this sentiment perfectly in her advocacy to expand awareness and fight these stigmatizing barriers. She knows this intimately: Her mom was in denial and died from the disease.

A common theme emerging from these celebrity survivor stories is that information and knowledge – not fear – are vital in the battle. “I really think that having a positive outlook is half the battle,” says Cynthia Nixon.

Fear may be a natural reaction to news of breast cancer, but each woman believes that more and better information can hold sway over the negative emotions engendered by the cancer. They offer us a prescription for the future, one that is informed by experience, critical thinking, and sound advice. Most importantly they offer a prospect for wellness: They offer hope.