By CSLEA/CHP-PSDA Member Kym Torres, CHP Public Safety Dispatcher, Los Angeles Communications Center

I have worked my entire career at the CHP Los Angeles Communications Center since I was hired in June of 1998.

I have four children and the day after my youngest son ran the LA Marathon in February 2016, I had a routine mammogram. The results came back positive for breast cancer. I was shocked since I was the first in my family to be diagnosed. My husband, Ricardo Torres A9977, held my hand and looked at me and said, “We can get through this! We can get through anything!”

I started chemotherapy immediately, using cold caps to save my hair, and had multiple surgeries. I returned to my LACC family in January of this year. My family and friends have been the most amazing support system. I had the best healthcare team at UCLA and give God all the credit for seeing me through this battle.

As much as I hate cancer, it has given me a new way to live my life. I hug my kids a little longer, always make time for special moments and don’t sweat the small stuff. When we are faced with difficulties or challenges, how we react to them is really what life is about.

DURING NATIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATORS WEEK, CSLEA IS SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT ON ITS PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCHERS AND COMMUNICATIONS OPERATORS!  THESE BEHIND-THE-SCENES FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE A VITAL ROLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY