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Elizabeth Edwards Inspired Hope Among S. FL Women

MIAMI GARDENS (CBS4) - Elizabeth Edwards was a source of hope and inspiration for legions of women waging their own battles with breast cancer.

Breast cancer survivor Kim Heard-Hobbs had already conquered cancer when Elizabeth Edwards was diagnosed with the disease. But the Miami Gardens woman still found strength watching Edwards live her public life while fighting a private war against cancer.

"To watch her be in the public eye, continue to help her husband on his campaign, while she was getting treatment I know that was a struggle," Heard-Hobbs told CBS 4's Carey Codd. "I know she was putting out every effort that she possibly could."

Heard-Hobbs also took comfort that Edwards championed the same cause she does -- providing mammograms to lower-income women.

"Everything she said, everything she stood for, was about health, better health, better health care, family," Heard-Hobbs said. "All the things that our country traditionally stands for."

As a board member with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Heard-Hobbs is actively involved in assisting women during their struggles. She runs a support group and also advocates for women of all socio-economic backgrounds to have access to mammograms and medical care if they need it.

"It's a passion -- educating, advocating, talking to women about themselves about taking care of yourself," she said.

Heard-Hobbs was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer 15 years ago at the age of 38. She had no family history and was considered too young for a mammogram. But she knew something was wrong.

"I had to sit there and cry and not move or leave to get my mammogram," Heard-Hobbs said. "It was really hard and had I not advocated for my own health I could not be here today."

While one of the public faces of breast cancer is gone, Heard-Hobbs believes other leaders and advocates will step up. Edwards provided an example for other women dealing with the disease to follow, she said.

"(Edwards) showed them how in the face of adversity you must go on and keep your head up and you just do the right thing," she said. "You never saw her -- anything other than courage, determination, and her being an inspiration to others. And that's what I'd like to be."

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