04/10/2025
Fifteen years ago, REALTOR® Irene Sawyer was told she a 30% chance of surviving an extremely aggressive form a breast cancer. After enduring a double mastectomy, reconstructive surgeries, and 18 months of grueling chemotherapy—and surviving—she decided it was time to pay it forward.
These days, she runs creative fundraisers, like the annual Chuck-A-Duck event at an Appalachian State women's college basketball game. These funds pay for free mammograms as well as services often not covered by insurance, such as mastectomy bras, breast prostheses, compression garments, and scalp cooling caps that prevent chemo hair loss.
Since she founded the High Country Breast Cancer Foundation in 2017, she has provided more than $211,000 in services to breast cancer patients.
Irene is a 2023 Good Neighbor Award recipient. NAR is seeking applicants now to win up to $10,000 grants for their cause. Apply by 4/18 at nar.realtor/gna.
High Country Association of Realtors
NC Realtors
