Standing in the limelight is the last place Pat Schaeffer wants to be, but if there is a chance her story may help someone else, then she'll suffer through it.

Schaeffer, 70, is a survivor, and her story of courage has earned her a place on the 2015 Gallery of Hope created by Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania.In 1992 Schaeffer went for a routine mammogram, which came back as normal, which was good news. However, it didn't explain the pain she was having in her right breast. Her doctor did a biopsy on a Wednesday, and told her if she didn't hear back from him by Friday, to call him."He was already suspicious," says Schaeffer. "He called that same night."Schaeffer had stage 2 breast cancer. Surgery was scheduled for Monday, the day after Mother's Day."Thank God I didn't listen to what that (mammogram) said, or I wouldn't be sitting here today."Chemo followed the surgery, and then once that was complete, she remained on medication for five years, and had regular visits and follow-up blood work.She never had a recurrence of breast cancer.In 2007 Schaeffer developed a terrible pain in her shoulder."I thought I pulled something," she says.An X-ray showed that the cancer was back.Treatment this time included radiation, medication and some chemo. Fortunately, that cancer too, responded to treatment, but in 2011, it was back again; this time in Schaeffer's hip.She again went through radiation, but says it caused damage to her hip, and the following year, she experienced a fracture, necessitating surgery to place a rod in that leg.Schaeffer's diagnosis is metastatic breast cancer, which she says means the cancer never completely goes away. She is regularly given a CA 27-29 blood test, which indicates if the disease is in remission or progression.When her numbers go up, she is given medication that treats the cancer that lurks somewhere in her body."It will always be there," she says. "I'll never be away from it, but I don't dwell on it."While these words could cause anyone to feel depressed or to give up hope, that's not the case with Schaeffer."I have great support from family and friends. I go to church, pray. When I first had cancer, I was scared, but I didn't want my family to be worrying. I always put a happy face on. I tried to keep a more positive thought. God doesn't give you more than you can handle, was my philosophy to myself."Although she doesn't like to be the center of attention the thought makes her very uncomfortable she is grateful to Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania for recognizing her in this year's Gallery of Hope."I'm embarrassed and thrilled. If I can help anybody, I will."Schaeffer and her husband, Howard, who surprised her with a trip to Hawaii when she finished her first round of chemo, have been married for 51 years.They have three children: Patty Bernadyn of West Penn Township, Howard Jr. of New Tripoli, and Lori Ann Suzadail of Coaldale.They have five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She and her husband regularly baby-sit for the great-grandchildren and they also enjoy camping.Schaeffer wanted to make sure she could thank the staff at the oncology department at St. Luke's Hospital Miners Campus in Coaldale, who have helped her over the years, as well as her physician, Dr. Craig Krause of Tamaqua.If there is one word of advice she could give others, it would be this:"I would say always, if you suspect that you have a problem, go and see someone and get tested."Schaeffer is one of 10 northeastern Pennsylvania residents recognized for the 16th annual "Gallery of Hope," a traveling display designed to educate the public about the importance of early detection and treatment in the fight against breast cancer.The gallery is available to exhibit throughout northeastern and north central Pennsylvania.Other honorees include Christie Boschi of Williamsport; Jodi Koch of Beech Creek; Mary Marrara of Jermyn; Danielle McMicken of Springville; Lori Mulhern of Nicholson; Elaine M. Shuey, Ph.D., of Delaware Water Gap; Lael Swank of Mountain Top; Kathy Tomcheck, of Drums, Luzerne County; and Carol Valenti, of Lackawaxen.Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania created the Gallery of Hope in 2000.The nomination process is open year-round. To nominate a breast cancer survivor, or to request the Gallery of Hope exhibit for your facility or community event, contact Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania through the Gallery of Hope website at

www.bcnepa.com/hope.To receive year-round updates about BCNEPA's breast cancer education efforts, search for "Gallery of Hope Blue Cross of NEPA" on Facebook and like the page.