Even during her own struggle, Eva Durden did not stop helping others through theirs.

Shortly after Thanksgiving in 2002, Eva noticed a lump in her chest. While that discovery was unnerving, Eva was confused. She had just had her annual mammogram the month before, surely it was nothing to be concerned about or they would have caught it during the mammogram, right?

To be safe, Eva made a doctor’s appointment. There, technicians performed another mammogram. Immediately afterward, she was sent to another clinic for an ultrasound and more testing.

“Everything suddenly became very rushed about the whole process,” Eva said. “That was when I realized something must be wrong.”

The diagnosis came back as breast cancer. Within 10 days of that appointment, Eva was seeing a surgeon to discuss her options.

Eva and her doctors decided on a lumpectomy, which was performed in February. But it wasn’t long after that doctors realized they had not been successful in removing the entire tumor.

One month later, Eva went through the surgery again to completely remove it. This was followed by a mastectomy in April, before beginning 16 rounds of chemo in June. Her chemotherapy treatment was followed by over 30 rounds of radiation.

“It turns your world upside down,” Eva said. “It all happens so fast, but in the moment, everything drags.”

Prior to her diagnosis and treatment, Eva and her husband had been closely involved with the creation of what is now the Moody Miracle League Ball Park. They worked with others to raise funds and go through the necessary steps to get the park built. It was completed in the middle of her chemo treatments, Eva was not going to miss the first game.

“I was not going to let that stop me,” Eva said. “I was there, and I remember watching the parade and the first game that was played on the field. Words can’t describe how much seeing it come to life meant to me.”

The Miracle League was a cause that Eva supported for a lot of reasons. Her own battle did not take away from that support — it just added to it.

“While I was going through cancer, I knew my battle would end,” Eva said. “My battle was going to pass. But it will never pass for them.”

Being present for the first game is a fond memory for Eva, but every game that followed left her with even better memories.

“I think I had more fun than the players did,” Eva said. “They knew me and I genuinely care for all of them and am so happy I can be there cheering them on.”

Eva made a point to schedule her chemo so she would feel well enough to attend all of the games. She knew that by focusing her attention on others, she would not fall into self-pity.

“Cancer takes you to the edge of a cliff,” Eva said. “It is up to you to decide to carry on or feel sorry for yourself.”