 I think of how strong you were and it helps me to get by.
- Soraya, "On Nights Like This"
These words from her song "On Nights Like This," were Soraya's tribute to her mother's struggle with breast cancer.
And like her mother, aunt and grandmother, it was breast cancer that ultimately took Soraya's life on May 10 at the tender age of 37.
The Columbian-American singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer who
struggled with cancer for six years was more than just an entertainer.
She was an educator of breast cancer, a spokeswoman for the Susan G.
Komen Foundation, and an inspiration to many.
"I have been deeply touched by Soraya's fortitude and strength," said
Carmen Ramos-Watson, Executive Director of the Celebra La Vida Con
Salud campaign, which Soraya was a part of in 2005. "Her spirit will
live on in her music and her message of hope and life."
Her memoir entitled Con Las Cuerdas Rotas (Broken Strings) is described
as a testimony to perseverance, struggle, passion and generosity.
Soraya describes, in her own words, the events that marked her life and
the challenges she had to face.
"As a child, I dreamed only of becoming a professional musician,"
Soraya writes in her memoirs. "I would have never imagined becoming a
successful one, nevertheless one whose fame was ultimately eclipsed by
a group of mutant cells. And yet, I could not be more proud of my
accomplishments in the fight against breast cancer."
Soraya was one of the first artists to write and record in both Spanish
and English. She sold out concerts worldwide and received the best
singer/songwriter Latin Grammy in 2003 for her self-produced album,
"Soraya."
In June 2000, after being diagnosed with stage three of breast cancer,
her life's mission became that of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. As a
spokeswoman for the Foundation, she traveled the country doing
outreach, resolving to educate the Latina community about early
detection and breast cancer awareness.
"As women, we should heed her advice and take the time to get checked,
especially if we have a family history of breast cancer," Ramos-Watson
said.
Soraya's greatest wish was to continue her mission of promoting breast
cancer awareness and now, thanks to the publishing of Con Las Cuerdas
Rotas, her wish will come true.
The book, which was released on October 16, is now available in book
stores in the United States, Puerto Rico and Latin America. To honor
Soraya's last wishes, proceeds from book sales in each country will be
distributed to local organizations dedicated to promoting early
detection in breast cancer and educating women to take charge of their
health.
"Today I have not lost this battle, no pain is felt in vain, because I
know my struggle will help overcome a greater battle, that of early
detection and prevention against this terrible enemy," Soraya writes.
http://www.soraya.com/
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