After discovering a lump in her breast she went to see her doctor. Her worst nightmare was confirmed, she had breast cancer.

"It was really scary," said Jackson, who along with Theresa Pizzo organizes the annual country walk and golf for breast cancer. "I had two young kids and was the legal guardian for three others. I thought, what if I don't get to see them grow up?"

After a lumpectomy followed by a mastectomy, the cancer was gone.

"I had to keep telling myself I was going to be fine, that everything was going to be OK," she said. "And it was."

Until the cancer returned 11 years later.

Again, during a self exam Jackson found a lump. She said once you have breast cancer once, every bump and lump is a scare. So she again, went to her doctor, and again it was confirmed - breast cancer.

Another lumpectomy and mastectomy, and 11 years later she is still cancer free.

When Jackson and Pizzo first started organizing the walk 15 years ago the funds went to the Canadian Cancer Society, then the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Deciding they wanted the funds to stay local the two women directed the money to the Adams-Evangelista breast screening centre in St. Catharines.

Six years ago the Ramona Pizzo-Bonnie Jackson Breast Screening Centre was opened at Port Colborne General in honour of Jackson's fight and Pizzo's mother Ramona, who lost her battle with breast cancer.

This year's Country Walk and Golf takes place Oct. 19 at Whisky Run Golf Course. Golf registration is from 7-8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Golfers must raise a minimum of $100 to participate or pay the regular golf fee. Walkers must register between 9:30 and 10:30 a.m. A brief opening ceremony will take place at 10:30 followed by the five kilometre walk. There is no minimum pledge for the walk.

Jackson is expecting about 150 walkers, like past years. She says she is worried the impending cuts to Port Colborne General Hospital may deter people from participating. Jackson said she has been assured the breast screening centre will stay despite other changes proposed for the hospital.

Work pledge sheets are available at Boggio's Pharmacy and golf forms at Whisky Run.