Kathy Covington and her partner, Jeannie Abreu, are both BRCA positive, meaning they carry a rare genetic mutation linked to a higher risk of breast cancer.
"Being BRCA positive having a strong family history, I have the chance to be what they call a previvor versus a survivor," says Covington, president and co-owner of Mantra Fitness in Sarasota, Fla.
"When I found out I was carrying the gene, I elected to do the preventive surgeries that came with that and I feel like I was very lucky to have the chance."
Both are taking part in the fitness studio's "Burn for Breast Cancer" fundraiser, which starts at 10:30am on Oct.
21 and is open to anyone who wants to take part.
Participants are asked to donate $50.
"When I found out I was carrying the gene, I elected to do the preventive surgeries that came with that and I feel like I was very lucky to have the chance," says Covington, who underwent a lumpectomy and mastectomies after finding out she had the gene.
She says the fundraiser is "a big inspiration for myself and as well as my partner Jeannie in Tampa who has a very similar personal story to mine."
Last year's class raised $5,000, and the studio is hoping to
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