BOSTON -- When a local woman steps out onto Fenway Park's field to sing the National Anthem this weekend, it will mark her triumph over a cancer that was predicted to take her life.

NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that Denise DeSimone had throat and neck cancer. She said she has faced surgery, chemotherapy and crippling radiation that left her speechless.

"I couldn't speak for a long time and I couldn't sing for about a year. I never realized how often I had a song in my heart that I would, no matter where I was, would either hum or sing," she said.

DeSimone now spends her time advocating for cancer survival. She is an avid cyclist and rides in the Pan Mass Challenge, a charity ride that raises millions for the Jimmy Fund and cancer research.

DeSimone said being able to sing the Star-Spangled Banner at Fenway Park is a dream come true.