NATCHEZ &8212; There was one small difference in Mary Ann Vining&8217;s uniform from her regular attire. But for her, that small pink ribbon pinned to her lapel makes all the difference in the world.

A breast cancer survivor for almost 16 years, Vining wears the pin every day of the month and has been ever since her diagnosis.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for Vining there is no more important time for every woman to be aware of the benefits of early detection and regular checkups.

&8220;You&8217;d be surprised at the women who don&8217;t get yearly checkups,&8221; Vining said. &8220;They say they don&8217;t have time or they don&8217;t have the money.&8221;

But the response to those excuses is simple she says.

&8220;You cannot replace your life with money,&8221; Vining

said. &8220;Your health is number one.&8221;

Vining has worked as a school food service technician at Vidalia Upper Elementary for the past 25 years. Sixteen years ago she heard the words that most women fear hearing from their doctor &8212; &8220;breast cancer.&8221;

But for Vining, that fear of the disease has been replaced by her faith in God, a faith that is

strengthened by a personal experience that she had with Him the morning after she returned home from her initial operation.

&8220;I woke up in the early hours of the morning and this voice told me I was going to be cured of cancer,&8221; Vining said. &8220;And that He was going to give me new life.&8221;

Then, like being baptized in the fountain of new life, a feeling moved throughout her body from her head to her fingers and toes, Vining said.

&8220;It was a spring of life, like water pouring over a rock,&8221; Vining said. &8220;It was the most wonderful feeling. You can&8217;t even imagine.&8221;

From that moment she calls an &8220;assurance from God,&8221; Vining feels blessed and also responsible for getting the word out about breast cancer awareness.

And that is why she wears the pin each day on her school uniform.

&8220;It reminds me to be thankful that I am here and that I can be helpful,&8221; Vining said.