‘Warrior Princess' refuses to give up, designs clothing line

Debbie Harward is 44 years old and only started living three years ago.

The Surprise woman said her shocking breast cancer diagnosis in December 2005 has prompted her to live a bolder life.

"My cancer has been the greatest gift in my life," she said. "It has taught me many life lessons and I have truly learned what is really important in life."

Harward's breast cancer spread into her lymph nodes and bones in 2007. She will be taking oral chemotherapy treatments for the rest of her life. Despite the bleak diagnosis and months of agonizing treatments and surgeries, the "Warrior Princess" said she refuses to give up hope.

"For me, these statistics are only numbers," she said. "I will defy these odds. I will never surrender to this cancer."

VIDEO: Click here to see a video about Debbie Harward's line of shirts.

In October 2008 Harward created Warrior Princess Wear, LLC, a line of inspirational embroidered T-shirts designed to embolden women struggling with the disease.

"I was told in this dream that I needed to start putting some ideas down on paper and making some designs," she said. "So I did."

The effort is something Harward has found to be especially rewarding.

"It's great. I get to meet a lot of really nice people. It's a really good feeling and experience to have," she said. "I actually feel really good and from what people tell me, I look wonderful."

Harward has begun her line focusing on women's T-shirts but said she hopes to expand into men's shirts, hats and pajamas as exposure and interest in her line increase.

What she lacks in formal fashion experience, she makes up for with determination and a knack for sass. The shirts marketing the phrases, "I'm still hot ... it just comes in flashes," and "Bald is beautiful" are among several in her line.

"I've had a lot of men request the ‘bald is beautiful' shirts," she said with a laugh. "The men really want that shirt."

One dollar from each shirt she sells will be donated to Bosom Buddies, a breast cancer support group Harward has found especially helpful during her struggle.

"What I actually like is the wonderful speakers that come every month," she said of the numerous doctors and specialists the group has facilitated for monthly meetings. "You just get a wealth of information from them and they have a lot of options they can suggest to you for care. It's a great place to go to get support."

Warrior Princess Wear is available online at http://stores.ebay.com/warriorprincesswear, by contacting Harward at warriorprincesswear@q.com or by visiting the Happy Trails Vendor's Day, 17200 W. Bell Road in Surprise, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 6, March 6 and April 3.

The shirts sell for $22 at the Happy Trails Vendor's Day and $25 online.