These are scenarios for entertainment.

Counter that with the real life drama of breast cancer survivors racing for a cure.

That's the annual scenario as 3,000 women who had breast cancer join 31,000 others who walk or run in Pittsburgh on Mother's Day to raise awareness and funds to fight this disease that will strike one in eight American women.

Quick profiles of three South Hills survivors show the range of treatments and personal advice:

n Andrea Weinheimer

Weinheimer of Finleyville was diagnosed in 1995 at the age of 39 after discovering a lump. When her physician refused to send her for a mammogram, she found a new doctor who ordered the mammogram and confirmed the diagnosis.

Andrea underwent surgery and chemotherapy and is now celebrating her 13th year cancer free.

Her message to others is "know your own body and insist on getting the appropriate tests." This will be the 11th Pittsburgh Race for the Cure for the wife of Mark and mother of 25 year old daughter, Cristin, and twin 18 year old boys, Dan and Eric.

n Irene M. Brungraber

Brungraber of Mt. Lebanon discovered a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1967. Because lumpectomies and chemotherapy were not yet common medical practices, she underwent a mastectomy with no follow-up treatment.

Today, Irene, at age 84 with four children, 14 grandchildren three great grandchildren, says she is in excellent health. She walks to the uptown shops, library and health club.

She encourages women to do monthly breast self-exams and get regular mammograms to help ensure early detection.

Irene has participated in the race several times before, but she and her husband Ed will be at their 60th college reunion at Iowa State University this year.

n Kristine A. Masta

Unlike Andrea who has attended the Pittsburgh Race for the Cure 11 times and Irene who was diagnosed more than 30 years ago, Masta of Upper St. Clair was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007 and will participate in her first Race for the Cure this Mother's Day.

She annually schedules a mammogram near her birthday and the last one revealed several tiny spots. She underwent a mastectomy with reconstruction and chemotherapy treatments.

She said she is in excellent health today and believes that breast cancer was actually a good experience because she found out what she was made of and how many people loved her.

Kristine who is the director of membership for WQED, admits that her diagnosis/treatment have been frightening, but that maintaining a positive attitude and active lifestyle helps.

Her family including her parents who came up from Florida and her co-workers were tremendous in their support, she said.

Race for the Cure

Nancy G. Brinker although not treated for breast cancer is a survivor in the sense that family and friends are impacted. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer.

In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world's largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures.

"Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, we have invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world," Brinker said.

In Pittsburgh

The first Susan G. Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure, held in 1993, was organized by National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) volunteers Laurie Moser, Eileen Lane and Pat Siger.

The Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure was locally organized by NCJW from 1993 to 2005, and in 2005, the Komen Pittsburgh Race for the Cure became an affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. During 2007, the Pittsburgh Affiliate granted $1.9 million to organizations dedicated to fighting breast cancer.

In addition to the millions of dollars in funding for the Mammogram Voucher Program and education and outreach programs throughout the 30 counties we serve, race funds have been used to purchase portable mammography equipment, fund fellowships in women's imaging, and fund scholarships for technicians administering mammograms. The affiliate funds programs that reach out to underserved women including new Americans, African Americans, and most recently, Latinas.

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Info boxes

Race for the Cure in Pittsburgh

WHEN: Mothers Day Sunday, May 11.

WHERE: Schenley Park in Pittsburgh

WHAT: A 5K run/walk and one-mile fun walk; one of the top 10 races in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure series.

WHO: Participants of all ages

WHY:To save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all, and energizing science to find the cures.

REGISTER: Online at www.komenpittsburgh.org or at area PNC, Giant Eagle, Dick's Sporting Goods and McDonalds locations.

Action steps

1. Annual mammography beginning at age 40.

2. Clinical breast exams at least every three years beginning at age 20 and annually at age 40.

3. Monthly breast self-examinations for all women beginning by age 20.

Resources for women are the Pittsburgh Affiliate Web site, www.komenpittsburgh.org; Komen national Web site, www.komen.org; and the National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline 1-800 I'M AWARE (1-800-462-9273).