Breast cancer survivor writes book about her experience

A breast cancer survivor who grew up in Clarion has written a book about her experience.

Debbie Hockman Oglesby, who went to Clarion Limestone High School and later attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania, wrote “The History of a Boob: One Breast Cancer Story,” which is available on Amazon.com. She writes under the pen name Britt Hockman.

Debbie Oglesby

Debbie Oglesby

After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1985, Oglesby moved to Texas and began working for the NASA Johnson Space Center in technical communications and IT. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998.

A mother of three children, Oglesby said that she was initially angry after learning about her diagnosis, but quickly moved past that feeling to one of gratitude for the life that she already had lived.

Eventually, her right breast was removed and several reconstructive surgeries followed.

As a survivor, Oglesby has found herself as a resource for others. She and her family set up a nonprofit, Cruzin to Cure, to raise money to help people pay medical bills after a cancer diagnosis.

Today, Oglesby remains positive and advocates that women take responsibility for their own health. “The onus is on you to listen and decide what makes sense for you and proceed that way,” she said.

“It’s not a death sentence,” Oglesby said.

She currently lives in Texas with her family and is working on several more books.

Some of her family members still live in Clarion and Oil City.

“It’s your body, your mind and your responsibility,” Oglesby said.