Natalie's Everyday Heroes: Nikki Panico of Komen Wisconsin

WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- The Komen Wisconsin More Than Pink Walk was a huge success on Sunday. 

Thousands of people turned out to support the organization's mission to fight breast cancer. 

Leading the way, as always, was executive director Nikki Panico. This year's walk combined the personal and professional, as she herself is being treated for breast cancer. 

It's a yearly tradition at Henry Maier Festival Park. 

Nikki Panico kicking off Komen Wisconsin's More Than Pink Walk. 

"Yes, I'm currently battling breast cancer, but I am not giving up," she told the crowd of thousands from the stage.

Panico has served as executive director of Komen Wisconsin for 15 years. 

"The More Than Pink Walk, for me, is my birthday and Christmas and the 4th of July all wrapped up in one," she said.

A day to celebrate survivors and raise crucial funds to support research, but also to remember those lost to breast cancer. 

"They should be walking with me, but they're not. So, this walk allows me to take a moment and reflect on their lives and their spirit," Panico said.

Her own family's history is front of mind.

"My mom and my mom's sister, so my aunt, they died of breast cancer within a month of each other. My lovely grandparents lost their only two children within a month," she shared.

Panico is also reflecting on her own journey with breast cancer. 

"When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my son was 3. I just dropped my son off to college, he's 18," she said.

More than 14 years later, Panico's breast cancer is back.

We sat down with her after she learned of her diagnosis in October of 2023. 

"I am still in active treatment. Overall, I feel really good," she said, noting that she is currently taking oral chemotherapy.

She's gotten a first-hand look at the progress in breast cancer treatments.

"I'm really blown away," she said of the advancements in treatment.

"The drug I'm on now didn't exist when I was first diagnosed 14 years ago," she said.

One of Komen's main pillars is funding research. It has granted $1.2 billion in the last 40 years. 

"But I tell you, Natalie, there's still work that has to be done. Because women, and men, are still dying from this disease," Panico said.

Another piece of this story-- Nikki's youngest sister was also diagnosed with breast cancer this past February. 

Panico said she, herself, will be in treatment for breast cancer for the rest of her life. 

If you'd like to help with this fight, Komen is accepting More Than Pink Walk donations for another four weeks. The organization has raised more than $490,000 of its $519,000 goal.

To donate, click here. 

If you'd like to nominate an Everyday Hero, send Natalie a message at [email protected].