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For the Champion Sisters, singing together comes as naturally as finishing each other¡¯s sentences ¡ª both of which they frequently do. Twins Sandra Torres and Brenda Pattillo and younger sister Molly Bobrow have been performing together professionally as the ¡°Champion Sisters¡± since they were kids.

The sisters originally based their group name on their maiden name, Champion. But after four cancer diagnoses between them and nearly three decades spent advocating for cancer awareness, the name Champion has an especially poignant meaning for them.

Molly¡¯s breast cancer and melanoma diagnoses lead to decades of advocacy

First was Molly¡¯s diagnosis with triple-negative breast cancer in her early 30s, followed by her second, unrelated triple-negative breast cancer in her 40s.

Her sisters¡¯ support and their shared love of music got her through those difficult days.

¡°The music helped me get through some things that I didn't know if I could get through,¡± Molly says. ¡°I had music and the support of my sisters, which were both a huge source of strength for me.¡±

When Molly faced a third cancer ¡ª melanoma on her foot ¡ª several years later in 2008, she came to MD Anderson for treatment. She was surprised at how quickly her care team put her at ease.

Molly worried the surgery she needed would affect her ability to perform onstage. But her care team worked with her to address her concerns, ensuring she could maintain her mobility. Although her treatment required a significant surgery to remove the cancer on her foot, she says her care team gave her the ability to perform in high heels once again.

¡°Having melanoma on your foot is no walk in the park, but the doctors looked at my situation and came up with a solution,¡± says Molly. ¡°They make you feel like they are dedicated to you and really in the moment with you.¡±

Today, Molly is cancer-free. Her sisters say her bravery and boldness during each diagnosis inspired them to become active in local and national breast cancer awareness, fundraising and advocacy efforts. The trio has advocated for cancer patients, survivors and their families for nearly three decades.

In 2016, the first year of MD Anderson¡¯s Boot Walk to End Cancer?, the sisters became involved with the event through fellow advocate and survivor Dorothy Paterson. They have performed at the event every year since then, including 2023, when Sandra faced her own cancer diagnosis.

Endometrial cancer diagnosis gives Boot Walk new meaning for Sandra

When routine exams showed concerning thickening in the endometrial lining of Sandra¡¯s uterus, her doctor ordered a biopsy. Soon after, Sandra was told she had cancer, so she decided to go to MD Anderson immediately. She filled out the form to request an appointment on MD Anderson¡¯s website that morning, and before the end of the day, she had an appointment with , for the next week.

¡°I was thankful to be at MD Anderson,¡± says Sandra. ¡°There was no question where I would go.¡±

At MD Anderson, Sandra was diagnosed with a rare type of endometrial cancer called carcinosarcoma. The cancer was stage I, meaning it hadn¡¯t spread, but Grade 3, meaning it was aggressive. Her treatment included a hysterectomy, chemotherapy and brachytherapy.

With Sandra nearing the end of her treatment in September 2023, another Boot Walk approached. Sandra wanted to perform onstage as a way of encouraging other cancer survivors at the event.

¡°Singing at the Boot Walk took on a whole new meaning for me that year,¡± says Sandra. ¡°I'm right in the throes of all of this, and then here's the Boot Walk, where it's raising money for research to help people just like me. I wanted to do it as a way of showing anybody who was struggling with this, ¡®I'm here, I hear you and we can do this.¡¯¡±

Today, Sandra is also cancer-free.

¡°I can¡¯t say it enough: I am so happy I went to MD Anderson,¡± says Sandra. ¡°They saved my life. MD Anderson is one-of-a-kind.¡±

Celebrating community and the mission to end cancer

As MD Anderson celebrates its 10^th Boot Walk, the Champion Sisters are more dedicated than ever to supporting its mission to end cancer.

¡°Every single day, they're working on new treatments and making new discoveries. That gives me a lot of hope, and that's what I tell people: every day at MD Anderson is a new day,¡± says Molly.

The sisters say that the crowd¡¯s energy at the Boot Walk is an emotional reminder of how they¡¯ve supported each other throughout the years.

¡°It¡¯s something special to look out in the crowd and see all the people, especially the ones who are actively in treatment,¡± says Molly. ¡°You can see the love and the support of their families and their friends. They've got all their matching shirts and team names. It¡¯s emotional to realize that¡¯s what we¡¯re all here for.¡±

Sandra agrees, noting that the atmosphere of support and community includes patients, survivors and families who have faced all types of cancer.

¡°Boot Walk is unique because it covers all cancers. So, it's important to get involved because they¡¯re raising funds to ultimately end cancer,¡± says Sandra. ¡°MD Anderson gives so much hope to so many people. At the end of the day, we¡¯re all trying to end cancer.¡±

Register to join MD Anderson¡¯s Boot Walk to End Cancer on Saturday, Nov. 15 in the Texas Medical Center or virtually.

The Champion Sisters perform at this year¡¯s "Kick Cancer Night¡± hosted by MD Anderson and Houston Dynamo FC. From left: Sandra Torres, Molly Bobrow and Brenda Pattillo.