Beth St. John spends her weekends shuttling her three teenagers to different sporting events alongside her husband. On weekdays, her duties in the loan operations department at Merrimack County Savings Bank become a little less chaotic.

Life, for St. John, mainly revolves around the whirlwind of children and work, but when the weather allows, she revels in the freedom of riding her motorcycle.

Earlier this year, St. John was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 43 during a routine physical examination. Her physician had been urging her to get a mammogram for a couple of years, but she had brushed it off, assuming her youth and health made it unnecessary.

“If I hadn’t gone, I would have never known, and that’s why it’s so important for ladies like myself who roll their eyes when the doctors say to go get your mammogram,” she said. “It’s so important to catch things early. If they’re caught early, they can be cured faster and easier.”

Fortunately, St. John’s breast cancer was detected at stage one. She hadn’t experienced any pain or symptoms, so the scan was the only way she could have known.

She was scared when she heard the news but thankful it was caught early.

Maintaining a positive outlook has been key for St. John to keep her life, work, and social relationships intact.

“If I’m positive, it helps me but it also helps anybody else listening to me.” she said. “If I’m sad or angry about it, it’s not going to do anything for the person hearing me and they’re not going to know what to do to help me.”

In an effort to support those battling breast cancer and cancer research, she will be walking with her co-workers as part of the “Merrimack Money Makers,” team for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of NH event on Sunday, alongside thousands of others.

Living in Concord for three years, St. John has never paid much attention to the event’s pink banners that go up on display every year. But, this year, an email inviting her to the kickoff meeting of the event landed in her inbox. She decided to attend and met people who shared their personal journeys battling the illness, making her feel welcomed, cared for and validated.

Kathi Russ, a long-time volunteer with the American Cancer Society, had a meaningful interaction with St. John when she met her at one of the organization’s workshops for sharing breast cancer stories.

“She was very honest and her positive attitude has made a huge difference,” Russ said of St. John and her strength in coming out to tell her story.

Since her breast cancer diagnosis, St. John has become more proactive and serious about her doctor visits. She now encourages all her friends and family to get their annual physicals and regular check-ups.

“The reason that I’m doing this is for all of those people out there who don’t want to go to the doctors,” St. John said.

If  you go

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of NH

When: Oct. 15 at 12:30 p.m.

Where: Memorial Field, Concord

Register at MakingStridesWalk.org/nh or at the event.