Remembering The Life of Whitney Yoder Lowe...

At her hometown, Wooster, Ohio,  My friend and Triple Negative Breast Cancer sister, Whitney Lowe was honored at Relay for Life 2013, in her memory with this lovely video tribute. Whitney lost her battle to TNBC last summer, June 2012.  This tribute reminds us all of why we still fight to end this disease, Cancer.

"My daughter passed from Triple Negative Breast Cancer after a very difficult journey of 18 months. She was only 26 years young, but her purpose in life was to teach young ladies that if you have a lump you are never too "young" to demand a biopsy. Do not let my daughter's death be in vain. Spread the word, early detection does save lives." - Sandy Kline

This video created by DJ Kevin ~ IMOJ Memories / Party-In-A-Box DJ Services

You Will Be Heard Whitney...

I arrived walking into a line leading into the funeral home. The viewing line zig-zagged into and through 4 rooms and back out again passing by many family portraits of Whitney and Sandy's family. Hundreds of Whitney's family and friends including myself waited patiently and quietly for 1 hour to hug our Sandy and give her our condolences. You could feel the love and support for Whit's family that evening. Sandy amazingly strong, I hugged her. We briefly spoke of telling and getting Whitney's story out there, her story needs to be heard. I went on to walk up to where Whitney was resting in her rose pink "bed", she looked peaceful and beautiful lying with her pink ribbon blanket and a picture of her dog, Buster at the other end. Whitney was wearing the matching bracelet that is shown in the photo with her and her family hands together in a circle, all wearing matching bracelets. The tear-jerker for me was seeing her old brown teddy bear beside her, the same teddy bear that I saw with Whitney lying in her hospital bed with her 3 weeks prior. I went on to meet Whitney's aunt, cousin and grandmother and spoke briefly of how we met in our online TNBC support group. Ladies I chose to go to Whitney's viewing rather than the funeral and burial the next day. It's painful to see one of your sisters have passed but it's even more painful to see a friend, our Sandy lay her child to rest. Whitney, may you be at peace and God bless Sandy and her family. 

TRUE WARRIOR- http://the-daily-record.com/local%20sports/2012/06/17/smithies-win-7th-wcal-all-sports-trophy (click link for story)

Whitney Yoder Lowe

Fight For Whitney Lowe, Remembering My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister, 26 yrs. Young...

Whitney Yoder Lowe

I sit here and try to make sense of why we're losing so many sisters to Triple Negative Breast Cancer, why Whitney? She was 26,  just way too young to be dealing with breast cancer. On Friday, June 8, 2012, after a 19 month courageous battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer, my friend, Whitney Lowe went to sleep to drift away into the arms of our loving God to be among our other TNBC pink angels. Whitney was surrounded by her loving family, telling them that she loved them and she'll see them all soon... shortly afterwards, she passed peacefully.  Passing on the day of their local Relay for Life walk, that evening 16 of her family member gathered to walk in the event in memory of their beloved Whitney. As promised to Whitney, her mother, Sandy will continue to keep her legacy alive as she will advocate for the fight against Triple Negative Breast Cancer and spread awareness of the importance of early detection in young women... This was Whitney's wish.

I had just visited Whitney and her mother, Sandy just 2½ weeks prior knowing this would be my last visit with Whit but it was a very nice visit. I have witnessed the most loving  and courageous connection between a mother and daughter, they were a "team" as they both would say... I admired that in them two. If there was fear of uncertainty, Whitney did not show it.  Sandy remained strong for her daughter, in survival mode living life with Whitney for today.  Whitney so wanted to live and hoped her latest chemo treatment would be her "miracle" but her cancer had spread and weakened her body. A couple of months prior, Whitney had taken her dream tropical vacation to Puerto Rico with her family, a family togetherness that leaves treasured memories of her love and happiness, this was her living life to the fullest. 

Last August 2011, I was thrilled to meet Whitney and her mother, Sandy face to face during one of her chemo treatments at the Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio. I had met them both through my online TNBC Support Group shortly after Whitney's diagnosis. Whitney was a beautiful, sweet  and amazingly brave young lady who had so much life to fight for, but her clinical trials had eventually failed her... healing prayers were all that was left to offer.

May you rest peacefully, Whitney as we continue your fight for other young women faced with this dreaded disease... Whit, you'll always be in my heart, and you will be missed by all that you have touched, love you my sister. 
Sandy, I pray God gives you the strength to bring you through this... you and Whit are an inspiration to women everywhere, I love you my dear sis.

Sandy, Whitney and me

Us Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters so need our targeted therapy and ultimately a cure for all of us.
We desperately need TNBC research moved into clinical trials, then moved into FDA approved treatment, we don't have time for the 5 year wait for this transition to happen.
http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/donate.htm
(Click on link to make a donation to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation for research)
Thank you.

God took an angel,
but we gained a guardian

Death leaves

 a heartache 

no one 

can heal,

Love leaves

a memory 

 no one 

can steal.

http://www.the-daily-record.com/obituaries/2012/06/10/whitney-lowe 

(Link to obituary)

http://www.the-daily-record.com/local%20news/2012/06/10/walking-in-their-honor-memory-at-relay-for-life#.T9SNZnQ4rAY.email 
(Link to Relay for Life story)

Keep On Keeping On Whitney, My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister!

Sandy and daughter, Whitney Lowe

On Wednesday, I was thrilled to meet another Triple Negative Breast Cancer sister, Whitney, 25 and her mother, Sandy whom I met  through our online TNBC support group. Whitney is currently undergoing a clinical trial, HOG 1110. Cisplatin and Parp inhibitor through Indiana's Hoosier Oncology, bringing leading cutting edge cancer treatments and research close to home to her at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland.  I had a really nice visit with Whitney and Sandy, both lovely ladies. As I promised to Whitney that I would come back and visit again, she responds, "Thank you for driving all the way to Cleveland to watch me sleep. LOL Looking forward to seeing you again." It's all good Whitney, it was my pleasure... I've been there too, sleep through the chemo.

Sandy, her daughter Whitney and me

Whitney getting her chemo and me

Me and Sandy

"Once you choose hope, anything's possible."  ~Christopher Reeve