Three months after they were married, Varner's husband was diagnosed with colon cancer. Doctors told him that he had only a 50 percent chance of living and that there was no chance the couple would have children. Ten years later, they were celebrating his 10th year of survival with their three children (now 10, 9 and 7). A week after the celebration, while Varner was pregnant with their fourth child, doctors told her that she had invasive breast cancer.

The emotionally draining hours of her treatment inspired Varner to help other cancer patients. Her laptop helped her stay upbeat during that time, so she now wants to provide a similar distraction for young patients and their parents. Her nonprofit, Kilian's Kids, aims to give laptops and other electronic gear to children with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Q: What was the most difficult part of having a mastectomy and chemotherapy while pregnant?

A: Losing my breasts wasn't hard. But the emotional battle, the fear that I wasn't going to see this baby born, that he wouldn't ever know me, was the hardest part. Luckily, I had a huge sense of peace that the baby would be okay.

Kilian was born completely healthy, and I wanted to use his name for my nonprofit organization, Kilian's Kids.

Q: How difficult was it to keep working while being pregnant and sitting in a room full of chemo patients?

A: Pure-Ecommerce.com was my company, and I knew I had to support my family. It wasn't a choice. The more I got involved in work, the better (treatment) was. ... I worked on my laptop and kept focused on staying connected to my employees and running the company.

(Varner's company sells Internet businesses, complete with merchandise, to would-be entrepreneurs, and provides training to get the business off the ground.)

Q: Why start a nonprofit for kids? Why not do something associated with breast cancer?

A: I chose not to associate myself with breast cancer. It was too difficult emotionally.

When I was going through my breast cancer treatment, I would see children with cancer, and that thought would slap me back to reality. I was an adult; I'd gotten the chance to live and have experiences. These children hadn't.

Q: So you're hoping that the electronic gadgets will distract the kids from their illness?

A: Yes. I'm also open to giving laptops to moms or dads so they can stay connected to their kids through Skype.

Q: How do you find the children to help? What is your goal?

A: I am working with the Ronald McDonald House in Durham because it serves Duke, where I was treated. Obviously, I'd love to help every time a child enters that home. We have auctions (of Internet businesses) on Pure-Ecommerce.com, and I use the money from the highest bid to purchase the items.

So far, we have helped two families. One girl, 14, who is getting a bone marrow transplant, wants to use the laptop to Skype her Sunday school class. The other child, a boy, had a limp and no energy, and when I handed him the DSI, he had the biggest smile on his face.

Q: Why take the time to give back when you have so much on your plate?

A: My life is nothing but blessings. My husband is fine; my baby is perfect.

So many people gave to me when I was sick - gifts, support, cards ... there would be something wrong with me if I didn't feel compelled to give back.