I promise

"I promise, Suzy... Even if it takes the rest of my life." -Nancy G. Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

What is TNBC

WHAT IS TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER?

Just in recent years, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has sparked interest in the news where instead of calling the tumor as ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2-negative; researchers began using the shorthand term, "Triple Negative," dubbed the "new type" of breast cancer. Being Triple Negative, you don't have a targeted therapy and your only treatment option is chemotherapy.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer is seen in about 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC is a very aggressive cancer that tends to strike younger women, pre-menopause, especially among African-American women and women who have BRCA1 mutations. The tumor tends to be fast growing and is less likely to show up on an annual mammogram. TNBC is more likely to metastasis early on; has a high rate of recurrence in the first 2-3 years from diagnosis and has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer due to lack of specific, targeted treatment for TNBC.

Showing posts with label Debra A. Green Award. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Debra A. Green Award. Show all posts

Saturday, January 12, 2019

Toledo's Hattitude Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch 2018

On October 14, 2018, I attended Hattitude, a Breast Cancer Awareness brunch sponsored by Medical Mutual of Ohio. Every year, Medical Mutual of Ohio honors a person or an organization who has made progress in bringing breast cancer awareness in our local community with the Debra A. Green Award. The recipient of the 2018 Debra A. Community Service Award was presented to the University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living, a well deserved wellness center that I have been a participant of for the pass few years. I was honored to be asked by Barbara Oxner to be a guest in attendance in supporting Dr. Amy Thompson, Co-Director of the Center for Health and Successful Living.  Congrats to the team of the center for your hard work in making the center a successful support outlet for us breast cancer survivors!


Triple Negative Breast cancer sisters,
Melissa and Joyce Bettinger

Executive Director of Komen of Northwest
Ohio, Mary Westphal and Melissa

Dr. Tim Jordan and Dr. Amy Thompson of University of
Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living giving their
acceptance speech of the Debra A. Green Award

Dr. Tim Jordan and Dr. Amy Thompson of University
of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living
giving their 
acceptance speech of the
Debra A. Green Award

Dr. Amy Thompson accepting the 2018 Debra A. Green
community service award and all of her supporters of
University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living






Monday, October 19, 2015

Honored to Accept the 2015 Debra A. Green Community Service Award...

A ministering angel shall my sister be.
Last weekend, October 10, 2015,  I was so very honored to have received the 2015 Medical Mutual's Community Service Award presented to me by Debra A. Green herself in front of my family, close friends, pink sisters, Chrys Peterson and another 200+ guests in attendance at Hattitude's Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch at the Hilton Garden Inn of Perrysburg, Ohio.  As a Keynote Speaker also, I shared my story of triumph over Triple Negative Breast Cancer and my passion to keeping fighting for my TNBC sisters and keep bringing attention to this dreaded disease.  I have to say, I was quite nervous and did not get any sleep the night before.  I was thrilled to meet Debra Green, a 20 year breast cancer survivor herself as she calmed me prior to my speech.  Thank you again Medical Mutual and to the community of Northwest Ohio for believing in my determination.  
A huge Thank you to Medical Mutual of Ohio for your generous donation of $500 to a charity of my choice, The Victory Center. Here, I am sharing my 2nd speech of my acceptance:




ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

I am so very honored, thank you!
Thank you Medical Mutual, Debra Green and to all who were involved in the process of my nomination. Thank you family, friends and my Victory Center gals for your continued support of my involvement in the breast cancer community.  I am truly honored and blessed to be standing here in front of 200+ people, accepting this award as being a Voice in Northwest Ohio for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Community in keeping TNBC awareness in the forefront. This reaffirms my dedication to keep fighting for all... and for those that are no longer with us.

It’s been difficult for me this past year, as I grieve the sudden loss of my mom whom passed in January, by far the hardest challenge in my life. 
I would like to dedicate this award in memory of my mother for shaping me into the woman I am today... to be strong, caring, loving, compassionate and to be an advocate for others.

Thank you to my husband, you’ve been my rock for thirty years...
You took care of me through out my treatments and made me feel still beautiful and loveable.

My son, watching me being so ill from the chemo, had asked me, “Mommy, when will you get better?”… “I'm trying baby, I'm trying.”  I love my small family more than any thing, and I fought hard to be around for them as long as God’s will.

Thank you GOD for always being near and seeing me through this path that’s been paved for me.

It is so rewarding by being an inspiration to others, as a women surviving Triple Negative Breast Cancer and living life.  My passion lies with you ladies, in helping others and reassuring them, that they too have the courage to get through their journey. You all inspire me in your every day of fight, bravery and determination.

By being a breast cancer survivor, it has made me more aware of needs in the community.  We need to continue to support the organizations in our community that are committed to making a difference in our cause and survivorship.

I wish you all happiness and good health
Embrace hope, Hope for more tomorrows
God Bless
 
Keynote Speaker too!
My story...
Pink Sisters, Melissa and Michelle
My testimony...
See, everyone!
Thank you Medical Mutual of Ohio!
So beautiful with my name on it, Thank you Medical Mutual!
with Jeanette and her daughter...
My display table..
My husband, Phil and me
Good friends, Melissa and Angie
My mentor, Devorah and Melissa

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Nominated to Receive the 2015 Debra A. Green Community Service Award...

Very exciting news... Next month October 10, 2015 at a breast cancer awareness brunch in my area, I will be honored with the Debra A. Green Community Service Award 2015 for Northwest Ohio presented by Medical Mutual of Ohio for my work with breast cancer awareness.  Also, I will be the Keynote Speaker at this same event.  I was nominated by both The Victory Center and Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio to receive this award.  Thank you to all that were involved in the voting process and selected me to be the honorary for my involvement in the breast cancer community.  I am so grateful and thrilled to receive this honor... I have a lot of important things to say! - Melissa



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