Breast cancer awareness and research hold a special place in Lucinda "Cindy" Sanders' heart. Her mother and sister are breast cancer survivors, and Sanders has worked as a volunteer with Discovery Shop at Smith Mountain Lake since 2004.

But early in 2006, breast cancer became a more critical issue for the Moneta resident when a routine check found a lump in her breast.

"I was very lucky," said Sanders. "They found it very early."

She scheduled a biopsy with a surgeon and waited for days to get back the results.

"The hardest thing is waiting for the results," said Sanders. "It can take anywhere from two days to a week to find out the results from a biopsy."

The biopsy indicated ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a noninvasive form of breast cancer that can progress to invasive cancer if not treated.

Sanders scheduled a lumpectomy and had to wait for six weeks for the incision to heal before starting five weeks of radiation therapy, receiving treatments five days a week.

"I had wonderful support from my family, friends and neighbors," she said.

When she returned to Discovery Shop to volunteer again, she found herself in good company with three other breast cancer survivors. As she talked with the other women, the small group decided to start a support group to help fellow breast cancer survivors and their families.

"At the first meeting, we started talking about our experiences, and we realized we needed this, too," said Sanders. "We discuss treatments, medications, hints that the doctor doesn't tell you."

Survivor hints include wearing shirts with built-in support to radiation sessions because they're more comfortable to wear after treatments than standard bras.

Sanders' activeness in the breast cancer community snowballed from there. She went through Reach to Recovery training, a buddy system that pairs survivors with current patients who are going through similar cancer treatments.

And when she found out about the Look Good, Feel Good program, the former hairdresser of 32 years signed up to help.

"They said a doctor noticed that patients who did their makeup and looked good healed faster," said Sanders. "It's for cancer patients -- you get a little packet of all kinds of makeup and you show them how to apply makeup."

This program can be important for breast cancer patients who are undergoing chemotherapy because their skin tends to change, said Sanders. Patients usually lose their eyebrows and eyelashes and they often have no experience with drawing on eyebrows.

"We're going to do it at the February meeting of the support group," she said.

When Sanders isn't promoting breast cancer awareness, she enjoys shopping for bargains at yard sales, flea markets and Goodwill stores. Currently, she and four of her neighbors are scouting for trinkets they can donate to the residents of Trinity Mission Nursing Home in Rocky Mount.

In December, they fixed up old Christmas ornaments for the 170 residents. The neighborhood group plans to do something for other holidays, including Valentine's Day, Easter and Thanksgiving.

She encouraged four neighbors to join her on Tuesdays at Discovery Shop where they work on the "polish and shine" committee, cleaning up donations so they can be sold in the store. All proceeds are donated to American Cancer Society.

"The greatest thing is being with the gals," said Sanders. "It's a joint effort and a common bond."

Discovery Shop at Smith Mountain Lake is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is located at 400 Scruggs Road, Suite 500 in Moneta. 721-0050.

If you know of an outstanding volunteer, someone who gives back to the lake community, contact Laurie Edwards at 721.4675, ext. 406.