Megan Collins is 37. She's a third grade teacher and triathlete in Pennsylvania who just returned to work, after a year-long battle with breast cancer.

A positive attitude and perseverance are attributes Collins now holds dear and tries to inspire in others. That kept her going in what became "a year out of your life," she said.

In August 2007, Collins was swimming laps at the pool when she felt a small lump in her left breast.

At first, she thought it was nothing. Her doctors thought it was probably nothing. But just to be sure, she underwent surgery to have the lump and a small portion of the underlying tissue removed.

A week later, she heard the news.

She still exercises, and her story is one of perseverance and dedication. Read it in the Erie Times News.