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When singer/songwriter Soraya passed away in 2006, the world lost one of its most powerful advocates for breast cancer education and prevention. She had worked for years to bring the message of early detection to parts of the world that had not heard it. It is unknown how many lives have been saved through her efforts, but certainly her work will continue to affect and inspire many generations to come.

Soraya's professional career was filled with awards and recognitions of her excellence. She wrote all of her own music in two languages and was a gifted guitarist and violinist. She was the first person to release an album in both Spanish and English, and was a true superstar in Latin countries and among Spanish speakers around the world.

Early in 2000, immediately following the release of her third album, Soraya was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. Though the disease had long carried a stigma and the resulting tradition of silence within the Latin community, Soraya aggressively addressed the issue with her fans, filming a video that detailed her condition.

She well understood the implications of the diagnosis, perhaps better than anyone else. Her mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer when Soraya was just twelve, suffered a recurrence six years later, and finally died when Soraya was 22. Both her grandmother and aunt had been victims of the disease, and Soraya was already serving as the Latin Ambassador for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure foundation.

Her personal strength and force of will was astounding. Her diagnosis was in June, and she underwent a double mastectomy in October. Days later, she not only walked in the Race for the Cure event, she also performed and gave a press conference.

Following her diagnosis and surgeries, she found her focus and clarity of purpose from deep introspection. She resolved to dedicate herself even more to carrying the message of hope to those who had not heard it. She spoke as no one had before--in any language--about her life as a woman after the loss of her breasts.

In 2003, she released what many consider to be her finest album, her fourth, titled simply 'Soraya'. The first single 'Casi' (in English: 'Almost') was a huge hit around the world, increasing her ability to provide education and inspiration to women.

In 2005, after releasing her fifth (and final) album, Soraya stood at the apex of her career. She was recognized around the world for her musical talents, and was able to leverage her fame to expand the reach of her message.

Her cancer returned that year, a fact that Soraya kept to herself and her close friends for many months. She continued to tour and deliver her message while working on a book about her life.

She finally succumbed to the disease on May 10, 2006.

Her book, 'SORAYA: A Life of Music, a Legacy of Hope' is as inspiring a work of literature as one might ever read. Though she writes of the closeness of her family and the significance of this terrible disease within it, her joy for living and for life is a presence throughout. While the reader may often be brought to tears, her message is never other than one of hope.

This month, listen to her music. Let it wash over you and cleanse you with its beauty and nuance. Listen to the lyrics in Spanish and in English and read the translations. Appreciate the ethereal beauty of her melodies, her calm but passionate presentation, the clarity of her perspective.

Hers is the music of the pure human soul, written by the hand of someone with a keen understanding of her delicate and distinct place in the world, her power and significance, her weaknesses and strengths, her love of all the challenges of her life.