Mothers and daughters tend to do a lot of activities together like shopping, going out to lunch or taking trips.

But for one duo from Covington, their activity was beating cancer.

Ann and Katie Collier both beat cancer and on May 1 they participated in the Gilda’s Club Surviving Style Fashion Show and luncheon.

Ann graduated from Kentridge High School and now lives in Covington where she raised her five children.

Katie is the youngest of the five.

In February of 2008, the first diagnosis was delivered.

Ann was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS).

According to breastcancer.org, DCIS is the most common type of non-invasive breast cancer.

Ann said in her case, it appeared to be non-invasive until she had a partial lumpectomy.

After that, she said, “It was discovered that I didn’t have any clean margins.”

She added that she also had an invaded lymph node.

During Ann’s fight she had 11 surgeries over the course of three years, a total of 56 weeks of chemotherapy and participated in a three year clinical drug trial.

During her treatments she said she was able to continue working at Valley Medical Center and did what she had the strength and time to do.

“We never feel that we have time to have cancer but once diagnosed that becomes our new life,” Ann said.

Throughout Ann’s fight against cancer she said she “knew that I did not have cancer by chance.”

She added that she believed God allowed it in her life.

During her fight, Ann said she had three scares with mortality but said it is “quite possible (that God kept me around) to share my story and encourage others along their way.”

From her story, Ann hopes that people will learn there is hope for those battling cancer.

Her advice to those fighting or learning of a diagnosis, is to take “one day, one week, one treatment at a time.”

She added that battling cancer is a tough process and “nobody can do it for you.”

Less than four years after Ann learned of her diagnosis, Katie learned of her own.

In September of 2011, Katie said she woke up with blood on her pillow.

She was then diagnosed with Leukemia.

Ann said when she learned of Katie’s diagnosis she was “shocked and devastated.”

The moment was “surreal,” she said.

Katie was 18 years old when she learned of his diagnosis.

She said her first two thoughts were, “Am I going to die?” and “Am I going to lose my hair?”

Katie’s treatments did not last as long as her mom’s but she did spend eight months doing chemotherapy.

She said on top of the chemotherapy, she was also taking about 10 pills a day.

Helping Katie get through her treatments was her sister, Megan.

“She is my best friend and went through it ALL with me,” Katie wrote in an email.

While a senior at Seattle Christian, she missed a lot of days but made it a goal to play for the basketball team for her final high school season.

She hit her goal.

Katie said she was there during the first practice and was “strong enough for our first team game.”

During her time at Seattle Christian, according to the University of Washington’s women’s basketball website, she became the all-time leading scorer.

At 6 feet, 3 inches, Katie averaged 15 points a game for the Warriors.

She took her basketball skills to Seattle where she plays for the University of Washington Huskies.

“I have always wanted to play for my hometown team,” she said.

Katie redshirted her freshman year due to a preseason knee injury.

But since the 2013-2014 season, she has now played 61 games for the Huskies.

Katie’s advice for those battling cancer is to journal.

She said to write down all your feelings and experiences.

“I wrote nearly every day during my journey and love looking back on what obstacles I’ve overcome,” she said.

She added that she hopes people learn from her story that the “sickness and weakness doesn’t last.”

She said during her cancer treatments, she had never felt weaker in her life but now after fighting and beating cancer, she has “never felt physically stronger.”

She added, “Hard work and determination can get you anywhere you want to go. For me that was D1 college basketball.”

Ann said the traditional idea is that a person is cancer free after surviving five years.

But she asked, “Are we ever cancer free?”

Regarding her cancer, she said she doesn’t worry about it returning but knows it is a possibility.

“If it does, it does and then you deal with it,” Ann said.

When Katie learned she was ‘cancer free’ she said it was a “huge relief but yet a weird (feeling).”

Katie said she began to get comfortable with her chemo treatments and then it all stopped when she learned her cancer was gone.

“It was an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “I am a person that needs structure and that year of my life was structureless.”

Katie said three times a year she goes to the doctor to get her blood tested.

“I am terrified every time to hear the results,” she said.

Ann now receives checks once a year to make sure her cancer does not return.

Ann and Katie got connected with the Gilda’s Club because of Ann’s oncologist.

Through her, she spoke with the director of the club, Anna Gottlieb.

Ann said the club helps support cancer patients and their families and during their time working with the Gilda’s Club, “we have met so many incredible people.”

She added, “It (was) such an honor to be asked to serve in this way.”

“The world needs to watch out for cancer survivors,” Katie said. “Because we are the strongest people alive and we will conquer all our dreams.”