When Bernie Oldroyd was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2006, it was her passion for skiing that helped keep her going, but when it returned in 2014, she said it was harder to stay positive.

"I thought I was home-free, I had the anti-cancer for five years that was supposed to have cured it," she said.She remembers feeling very down and alone when she had to go onto the operating table for a mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.But she found her way back to her life through Candy's Place Cancer Wellness Center support groups and the love of her family."They work with the Susan G. Komen Foundation and have great programs," she said."I had terrible seep problems at first. Then I started going to support groups. It helps tremendously in rebuilding your strength. When you get the diagnosis a second time you think,'This is it for me,' but then you start speaking to people and it got me through. I had just turned 70 when I was diagnosed for the second time. It was so debilitating. I had to go deep into my soul for positiveness and convince myself I would be all right."February has been dedicated "Breast Cancer Awareness" month at Jack Frost with Saturday's date as the main event of celebration and remembrance.Starting at 8 a.m., ski instructor Oldroyd will partner with Jack Frost Big Boulder Ski Area in Blakeslee for the 10th anniversary of Ski for the Cure, a day to honor those who survived the battle of breast cancer and memorialize those who have been lost.The funds raised will benefit the local chapter of Susan G. Komen Northeastern Pa. Affiliate. All proceeds will be used to help breast health services for medically underserved and uninsured women and men of the northeast.Oldroyd said 75 percent of the funds will stay in the local community with the remaining 25 percent being applied to the Susan G. Komen National Research Grant Program."Scranton is very underfunded. The Komen Foundation covers 17 counties in our area and provides funding for mammograms," Oldroyd said.The two-time breast cancer survivor credits early detection for her survival."Some women never go. I know one woman who was in her 60s and had never had a mammogram so they caught it very late," she said."Early detection is really key in conquering this," she said."I was educated about mammograms when I was very young. Luckily it was caught early both times. Because it was caught early the cancer didn't go to my lymph nodes."Over the past nine years, Ski for the Cure has raised and donated over $205,000, making the event the second-largest fundraiser for the Northeast Affiliate.Ski for the Cure will include a Pledge Drive Ski-A-Thon and Pink Olympic race for all ages beginning at 9 a.m. on the Ridge Run trail. A $5 donation is requested.The main event, the dedication run, will be held at 11 a.m. when skiers will gather at the top of the Lehigh Trail. The run is dedicated to all those have been touched by the loss of loved ones in their battle with breast cancer and honors those in treatment and breast cancer survivors.All participants are encouraged to wear pink to show their support."I always try to add something new every year. This year we added a selfie-station and we will have a St. Bernard mascot for people to take pictures with," Oldroyd said.The ski instructor said the Komen Foundation works to put women in touch with programs throughout the process to help heal both the body and spirit."It's important to surround yourself with positive people and thoughts. There is life after breast cancer."Registration for the day begins at 8 a.m. at the Jack Frost Big Boulder guest services desk in the main lodge. Pledge drive donation sheets are available at Jack Frost Big Boulder or online.For more information and a complete schedule of events, visit

http://bit.ly/2lLjcEO, or contact Oldroyd at 570-443-8425, ext. 2671.Donations can be made payable to "JFBB Ski for the Cure" and mailed to JFBB Ski for the Cure, P.O. Box 1539, Blakeslee, PA 18610 or donate online at jfbb.com.