Evangeline Encinias, ex-educator with Portales Municipal Schools, was one of the cancer survivors who were honored at the 15th annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life event that was organized at the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhound Arena on Friday evening.

Encinias survived cancer twice. She was first diagnosed with carcinoid cancer around ten years back. Her doctor told her family that she would live only nine months, but with her strong determination and prayers she defeated cancer has already lived for almost ten years since then.

In February 2011, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. But, her strong determination to survive let her become cancer free once again.

On Friday at the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, she walked joyously to receive the honor for defeating cancer twice.

Speaking about the event, she said, “Being a survivor is about trying to help some else survive. This Relay for Life is so meaningful because there are so many survivors.”

Estimates suggest that one in every eighteen women in the United States develop breast cancer over the course of her lifespan.