WICHITA, Kansas, October 1, 2008 – October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and for those battling the disease the support of loved ones can make the tough time a little easier. For Mary, it was her Little that gave her support.

For 11-year-old Tyty and her Big, Mary, an afternoon at Build a Bear is one of her favorite outings. They’ve been a pair for three years now. But before they even met, Mary knew first hand the power of such a relationship.

"My daughter was going through a horrible, horrible time trying to blend with a blended family and Libby was just a saint," Mary Werner said. "I couldn't ask for someone more patient and kind and understanding than that young woman was."

So, in the interest of paying it forward, years later Mary took the opportunity to become a Big. The bond with Tyty was almost instant.

"We just kind of felt like we needed one another and it took off from there," Mary said.

""There's just something about her," said Tyty. "I just love her."

Back then, neither knew how important that bond would become.

"It was just like a bomb going off on my head," said Mary. "It's like, how much more could I take, because I've been through a lot already."

One year ago, Mary was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.

"It was very depressing for me and emotional for me," she said. "And it was like Tyty was that raft out there in the ocean just waiting for me to touch, you know."

After years of Mary being there for Tyty, the roles were suddenly reversed.

"I believed in Mary," said Tyty. "I knew she could make it."

Through chemo therapy and radiation, Tyty was always there.

"She still had that strength that I needed," Mary said.

So this trip to Build A Bear is a celebration; commemorated by a special breast cancer bear named "Courage" for the woman who fought a killer and the girl held her hand along the way.

"I love you Mary, you're the bestest in the whole wide world," says Tyty.

During the month of October, if you purchase a breast cancer bear, five dollars will go to breast cancer research.

If you would like to become a Big, just call Big Brothers, Big Sisters at 1-888-KS-4-BIGS.