Though she's thick in the middle of a presidential campaign for her husband John Edwards, when Elizabeth Edwards spoke at Ridgeview Medical Center in Waconia on Saturday, politics didn't enter the mix.

Instead, Edwards spoke candidly about her struggle with breast cancer. Edwards found out earlier this year that her cancer had returned and is treatable, but incurable.

Some 200 people attended the fundraiser event to raise money for the Women and Children's Center. Ridgeview Marketing Specialist Angela Hoffman said the event was well received with many attendees saying it was "a wonderful event and an extremely meaningful presentation."

"It was quite an incredible day," said attendee Susan Fazio Johnson, of Wayzata. "It was an honor to be in her presence."

"She gave a lot of herself to us," said fellow attendee Mary Frederick, of Excelsior. "A lot of people could relate to her, especially on health issues."

"When she talked about who she was it wasn't 'I'm a cancer survivor,'" said Darlene Maxwell, of Mound. "It was 'I am a mother, wife, friend and I just happen to have cancer,' To me she was taking her power back, which is very empowering."

Listening to her talk about our responsibility to our selves and our community really made me think about what my part looks like," she continued.

The three women, who shared their own stories of breast cancer in last week's Herald, said they found Edwards to be "grounded" and "humble" as she spoke.

"I was impressed with her kindness, gentleness, strength, patience and compassion," said Maxwell.

"She was so genuine," said Frederick. "Such a real person and that came through loud and clear."

The group wrapped up the event by singing "Side by Side" to thank Edwards for her appearance.

"There couldn't have been a dry eye in the house, including her," said Maxwell. "She seemed to be very touched we could do something so personal for her."

Maxwell said that she hoped people at the event would be inspired to "pay it forward" by "supporting Ridgeview and paying attention to their own health by doing regular mammograms and monthly self-breast exams."