On January 4, 2018, I was invited by University of Toledo Center for Health & Successful Living and College of Medicine and Life Sciences for a very special visit with Annie Parker, a breast cancer survivor and genetic testing advocate. It was Annie Parker who insisted there was a connection between cancer and hereditary after her mother, sister and herself have all battled cancer. Annie pushed for research that led to the 1994 discovery of the BRCA1 gene mutation by Dr. Mary-Claire King, a Geneticist. Annie Parker was one of the fist women to be genetically tested for BRCA1 that confirmed her belief of a link between hereditary and breast cancer, upon her receiving a positive diagnosis of the BRCA1 gene mutation.
We met with Annie Parker as she arrived at the University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living where she was welcomed by their staff and the support of breast cancer survivors who have participated in their services. From there, we had lunch at 31hundred Restaurant at the Radisson Hotel where we had nice conversations with Annie Parker and showing each other photos of our dogs on our cell phones. Later in the early evening we went to the showing of the film, Decoding Annie Parker that recounts her story of fighting breast cancer and the discovery of the BRCA gene mutation. Annie Parker did speak on the film, her journey and her book, Annie Parker Decoded, followed by a panel discussion by UTMC medical and counseling
doctors and staff. Afterwards, it was off to eat again for dinner at the Inverness Country Club and a recap of the role and importance of genetic testing.
Thank you UT Center for Health and Successful Living, UT College of Medicine and Life Sciences and Annie Park for this wonderful day of sharing stories and education on genetic testing and hereditary breast cancer.
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| University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living with Annie Parker |
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| Sharing breast cancer stories with Annie |
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| Sharing stories of how UT Center for Health and Successful Living has helped us survivors in our journey |
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| University of Toledo's President Sharon Gaber introduces Annie Parker during the film, Decoding Annie Parker |
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| Annie shares her story of breast cancer that inspired the movie, Decoding Annie Parker |
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| Panel discussion on breast cancer research and genetic testing |
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| Melissa with Annie Parker with a signed copy of her book, Annie Parker Decoded https://www.annieparkerbook.com |
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| Annie discusses how she insisted there was link between breast cancer and genetics and pushed for research in genetic testing which led to the discovery of the BRCA gene mutation that put you a high risk of a diagnosis. |