Kathy Cleere is a fortysomething who in no way dreads the approach of another birthday. In fact, she looks forward to each one. That’s largely because at the age of 31, Cleere was diagnosed with breast cancer, a diagnosis that threatened to end the life she now so thoroughly appreciates and enjoys. In some ways, she even feels blessed for having had to fight the dreadful disease, not once, but twice.

Robin Lowe has “Hope” in her fight against cancer. At home, “Hope” is a feisty black Labrador Retriever her husband, Jay, recently gave her as a present. In her Huntsville office, Lowe has more “Hope” in the form of a fluffy toy Labrador Retriever she received from her administrative assistant.