The breast cancer survivors we tell you about each month come from all different walks of life. They have one special thing in common. It''s the way they embrace the gift of life.

One survivor has not only made that her mission, but hopes to help others along the way. "I always thought, when I retire or when I do this, I''ll make time for that, never did so when all this happened, I thought, well, (I''ll do this)."

Painting is something Amelia Lazarri of Eureka loves to do. But it wasn''t until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in June, 2003, that she decided to pick up her brushes on a regular basis.

"I think that''s a common mistake a lot of make, is that we keep thinking that we''ll do it later. And, it''s like, nooo, you just have to start making time," she said.

After months of chemotherapy and radiation, Lazarri was given a clean bill of health. It not only restored her passion for painting, but renewed her love for life.

"When I started doing the yoga and the artwork in conjunction with one another, it was almost like I could see an outward expression of what was going on internally, so I thought if that could help me in anyway, or it can help anybody else then I would do this."

It is a calendar full of amelia''s artwork. Watercolor paintings of flowers that compliment each month. "I mean look at these. She''s not formally trained as an artist and she just came up with this," said Dr. Kathy Weilbaecher, Lazarri''s oncologist, from the Siteman Cancer Center of St. Louis.

"She said my dream is to make 12 of these flower paintings and make a calendar, sell this calendar and have the money go to breast cancer research. My jaw dropped. I mean, Amy had not only fought breast cancer, participated in a clinical trial that I had wrote to help other people with breast cancer. Now she wants to paint and make this calendar, so I just said, ''Wow!"

A few months later, with Siteman''s help, Lazarri''s calendar became a reality. "I wanted to honor the people who prayed for me. I wanted to honor the people that were there for me and so for me, that was just doing it and giving something," Lazarri said. "And it''s given so much back."

Lazarri said she learned things on many levels. "I am so amazed at the willingness of women, who face this heavy, heavy thing. Probably the scariest thing that they''ve ever had to deal with. To say, well, how can I help others? What can I do?"

There are tulips for January. Irises for April. Lillies for September. It''s a garden of hope and inspiration for everyone who uses it. "Through this journey of breast cancer, I think she''s kind of come to appreciating life and appreciating the sacred as she would call it," the doctor said. "And we all get calendars. But I think that''s what makes this one special."

"I don''t even know if it''s a thought process," Lazarri offered. "It''s just a kind of a natural reaction to want to give back, what''s been given to you."

To reach Amelia Lazarri, or to get one of her calendars, visit www.amelialazzari.com. For more information about the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital call 1-800-600-6306 or visit www.siteman.wustl.edu.