EL PASO, Texas -- Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Ysleta Pre-K Center is something more personal, because one of its own has fought the deadly disease.

Celia Salazar, the principal at Ysleta Pre-K, knows all too well what it means to fight cancer.

“I have been afflicted with breast cancer twice and kidney cancer once; due to this I strive to help other people,” said Salazar.

She's fought the battle for the past 20 years.

“It's a very difficult disease. It’s very difficult to face death. It’s very difficult to face the unknown,” said Salazar as she recalled what it was like when she found out she had cancer.

With support from her family and friends, she said she’s been able to pull through.

“The choice was either I want to live or I want to die. I want to live," said Salazar. "I want to continue living. I have so much still to do. I want to continue living for my family, my husband, my kids, my grandkids."

One teacher said Salazar has been strong and her passion to be a role model shines through. "We were able to see her recovery. We were able to see her struggle, and we were all rooting for her and we're happy that she's still here and she's alive,” said Christina Sanchez, a teacher at Ysleta Pre-K.

Friday, students and faculty at her school went pink and donated money to help find a cure. The students wore a pink ribbon that read: Mom, grandma: Please take care of yourself so you can see me grow up. I love you aunt, I love you mom, I love you grandma.

Although the 4- and 5-year-old students know only the basic facts about breast cancer, they know it’s a disease that can cause them to lose their loved ones.

"You have to take care of your mommies and your daddies and your brother and your sisters,” said Jessica Garcia, a student.

"I'm a mom, I’m a grandma, I’m a sister, I’m a daughter, but the most important title that I carry with me and I think about every single day is that I am a breast cancer survivor,” Salazar said.

If you have a picture of a loved one who's fought breast cancer or is still fighting, KFOX would like you to share it. Click on the health tab, and there you can upload your picture. Pictures are featured on The KFOX Morning News.