Komen Series #3: Together, We Are Strong in the Mission

While attending the reception and dinner at May 8, 2015, Komen Blogger Summit with fellow bloggers and Komen's social media team, conversations continued on Metastatic Breast Cancer while speaking with Komen Founder, Nancy Brinker.  Although it is not common in the U.S., 5% of newly diagnosis women will be diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.  Nancy Brinker touches on this area saying,

"...we need help developing the kinds of stories and keeping  passion alive with the people who want to tell these stories and making them real and calling the media to accountability to make sure this is kept high and near...

 ...at the end of the day, if we don't do these things, we don't keep this issue to your point, the 5% of the people, and they don't know people still got it, you're right, people, they think that everybody is just gonna walk in the park and they are just gonna live with it..."

Komen's recently advocated to Congress for more funding not only for breast cancer research, but the need for more biomedical research support in general, increasing the NIH budget.  Another issue Komen discussed was oral parity... to take a pill that can make a difference in quality of life while going through treatment.  Dense breast and different kinds of screening were also discussed as well as disparities in breast cancer.

"It means that we, our voices together can make a difference. Elevate the conversations as we say, we can really bring people together and make them more aware." _ Dr. Judith Salerno

Komen Founder, Nancy Brinker

Nancy Brinker speaking on Metastatic Breast Cancer

Nancy Brinker and Melissa Paskvan

Nancy Brinker gladly signed our photo from last year

Me and my personal hero, Nancy Brinker

...and Nancy signs my copy of her book, Promise Me

Me with my blogger friends, Komen Grantees and Nancy Brinker

Together Stronger, Thank you for tweeting Nancy!

Dinner discussion with Dr. Judith Salerno, CEO of Komen

Nancy Brinker introducing British singer, Matt Goss to us

I go to shake Matt Goss hand and he says that he's a hugger :)

...and he smells good too! Matt Goss and Melissa Paskvan

Melissa Paskvan and CEO and President of Komen, Dr. Judith Salerno

Me with Komen Marketing team, Rhasheda Boyd and Tracy Mueller

Matt Goss Singing Strong at Komen Washington DC Race for the Cure 2015

Video I took of this amazing singer, Matt Goss who dedicated this song, "Strong" to his mother and to those that are battling breast cancer. Matt Goss has come together to help raise awareness and fundraising to support Komen's mission. Please follow link for more details: http://ww5.komen.org/MattGoss

PINK SNEAKERS In Toledo, Walk on!

We kicked off the PINK SNEAKERS weekly cancer survivor walk on May 4, 2015 presented by The Center for Health and Successful Living of the University of Toledo. Come join us on Monday evenings at 6pm at Ottawa Park, Toledo, OH.

http://www.utoledo.edu/centers/chsl

Healthy living starts here!

Dr. Lisa Newman's Research on Triple Negative Breast Cancer in African Ancestry

Melissa and Dr. Lisa Newman

Here are some slides I photographed on Triple Negative Breast Cancer of Dr. Lisa Newman's talk at Komen of Northwest Ohio's Power of the Promise Reception on April 30, 2015. Dr. Newman has been doing extensive research the past several years on Triple Negative Breast Cancer in African Ancestry and results showing a possible connection with an inherited gene.

Fewer systemic therapy options for TNBC

Younger age!

Need more African-American women 
in clinical studies

Early Detection is Critical in TNBC Survival!

 Is African ancestry associated with a 
hertitable gene for TNBC?

African ancestry at higher risk for TNBC

Komen of Northwest Ohio, Power of the Promise 2015

On April 30, 2015, I attended the Power of the Promise Komen Grant Reception with my survivor sister, Jyll at the Inverness Country Club in Toledo, OH.  Komen announced over $500, 000 in community grants to 13 organizations supporting breast health services in Northwest Ohio. I was excited to see
Dr. Lisa Newman speak at this event and talked much about her research in Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Thank you again to Mary Westphal, Executive Director of Komen of Northwest Ohio for your energy you put into our community in educating the importance of breast health and providing funds to those in need of mammograms.

Melissa and high school classmate, Amy Thorpe Wiley

Melissa, Barb Oxner and Jyll

Chrys Peterson

"We have a promise to keep."

Melissa, Dr. Lisa Newman and Jyll

Mary Westphal, Miss Ohio, Melissa, Miss Teen Ohio and Chrys

(Click link to story)
Komen of Northwest Ohio announces 13 grant recipients

Ladies Night Out at Appliance Center's Susan G. Komen Benefit 2015

Us local breast cancer survivors sisters had a fun-filled "ladies night" charity event at the 52nd Anniversary of the Appliance Center Home Store in Maumee, OH. on April 19, 2015 benefiting Susan G. Komen of Northwest Ohio. We waited out in the rain for over a half an hour among some 2500 women to just get in the door but once inside, we enjoyed an evening of food tastings from local caterers,  local vendors tables with prize drawings, a violinist, ticket raffle, a fashion show with some local breast cancer survivors, a gift bag and our favorite breast cancer support, Chrys Peterson.  The Highlight of the evening is when the owner of the Appliance Center presented a generous $10,000 check donation to Mary Westphal, Executive Director of Komen of Northwest, Ohio in support of it'd mission. An additional $15,000 was raised at this event.

The Appliance Center's generous donation to Komen of 
Northwest Ohio

Joyce, Lori, Melissa J. Chrys Peterson, Areena, Melissa P.
and Mary Westphal

Lori, Melissa J., Jami, Melissa P. and Areena

Melissa and Chrys Peterson

 Lori, Melissa J. Tatum, Melissa P.
and Areena

YSC 2015 Part 1: Update on Triple Negative Breast Cancer

These are a few of the Informational PowerPoint slides on the latest on Triple Negative Breast Cancer and Heredity Breast Cancer that was presented at Young Survival Coalition Summit 2015 that I attended in Houston.

How your tumor responds to neoadjuvant chemo?

Androgen receptor positive for possible treatment target?

Androgen negative receptors = Quadruple Negative Breast Cancer?

Clinical trials of PARP inhibitors in TNBC  BRCA +

PARP inhibitors benefit TNBC BRCA positive patients

Immunotherapy  breast cancer vaccine on the horizon?

Breast cancer genes linked to other cancer related diseases

Why genetic testing is important?

Genetic testing for hereditary risk

Extra screenings or preventative surgery?

Remembering the Good Times... With Lisa

Yesterday, April 24, 2015, I lost a dear, friend Lisa Barmettler to Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). I connected with Lisa a few years ago through an online support group and met in person at Young Survival Coalition Conference in February 2013. Just 8 months out of treatment, it was at this conference when Lisa got the call from her doctor that her recent pet scan showed recurrence of her breast cancer to her pancreas and liver. Lisa was surrounded by many of her TNBC sisters that weekend... though it came as shock to all us and were saddened, we chose to enjoy and have fun with her and let the good times be a distraction to her. In October 2013, I traveled to Northern California for a TNBC sister's weekend at a friend's cabin in the mountains where once again, I met up with Lisa and spent time with her going wine tasting and going to Apple Hill checking out all the craft vendors and apple orchards and a mountain view of pine forest. Friends, this is the reason I continue to bring awareness to the disease that Lisa and I both shared. I will always big a big voice for TNBC and fund-raise for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation to find our targeted therapy and a cure... for Lisa. May you be in eternal peace Lisa, you will be dearly missed by all of us.

Good times at Young Survival Coalition Conference 2013

Northern California TNBC Sisters Weekend 2013

Melissa Paskvan Shares Story of Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer Contest 2015

http://mlb.mlb.com/honorarybatgirl/2015/gallery.jsp

As a TNBC Day Champion chosen by the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, it was my commitment to support TNBC Day, March 3, 2015 by bringing awareness to this aggressive disease, Triple Negative Breast Cancer and our need to find a targeted therapy. This TNBC subtype affected me 5½ years ago as I fought to triumph over cancer. It wasn't until after my treatments when I realized how greatly my diagnosis had an impact on me to keep telling my story of survival, because I am not the only one that fear the return of TNBC known as a recurrence. In August 2009, I found my lump by chance as I felt something oblong along my bra band line under my breast . I was in disbelief that my worst fear was now happening to me. I reacted fast and two days later I got in for a mammogram followed by an ultrasound. My 2 cm lump did not show up on the mammogram images because I had dense breast tissues. It was thought to be just a cyst but I insisted on a needle biopsy right then and there. Then the news came when my doctor called... I was 41 and diagnosed with breast cancer. I have a strong passion for breast cancer awareness and have participated in events and conferences for Komen, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. Imagine, me Batgirl... I would be so honored to see my Tigers take a swing at breast cancer! Thank you, Melissa

TNBC Fact Sheets 2015

http://tnbcfoundation.org

Two new Triple Negative Breast Cancer Fact Sheet for patients and caregivers offered by Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation and CancerCare.
Coping with Triple Negative Breast Cancer fact sheet and Caregiving For Your Loved One with Triple Negative Breast Cancer fact sheet can be downloaded from the TNBC Foundation website by clicking on  link below:
http://tnbcfoundation.org/factsheets.htm

http://www.cancercare.org

Toledo Area Oncologist, Dr. Iman Mohamed Honored with the YWCA Science Milestone Award

My amazing oncologist, Dr. Iman Mohamed was recognized with the YWCA of Northwest Ohio, Science Milestone Award. Dr. Mohamed was honored for her outreach programs focusing on bringing awareness to breast cancer through education and preventative care. Dr. Mohamed commitment to education, research and dedication to her patients was also recognized.
Congratulations Dr. Mohamed, such a great honor!

(Click link to full story)
UT News » Blog Archive » Professor, trustee recognized for service, achievement

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer “Switch” May Lead to Better Prognosis

Written by Ann Pietrangelo | Published on April 11, 2015

TNBC study on Triple Negative Breast Cancer originating in Stem Cells vs specialized cells and how inhibitor of differentiation 4 (ID4) gene plays a role in cells dividing in stem cells.

Click link to full story:
https://livingbeyondbc.wordpress.com/2015/03/03/tnbc-aware-giving-back-to-others-living-with-triple-negative-breast-cancer/

* I was quoted at the end of this article:
Five-year TNBC survivor Melissa Paskvan of Toledo, Ohio says the study gives her hope for those who will be diagnosed in the future. “TNBC survivors have been longing for a targeted therapy for some time now. This could be a game-changing discovery in how we treat TNBC in improving survival outcome in patients.”

Raising Awareness For Triple Negative Breast Cancer

The Breast Cancer Research Fund Devoted Over $12.5 Million Towards Triple Negative Breast Cancer in 2014

http://www.bcrfcure.org

"In 2014 alone, BCRF dedicated over $12.5 million to support projects studying TNBC in the U.S., Africa, Europe and the Middle East. There's an urgent need for a better understanding of -- and for better treatments for -- this aggressive disease. We will not stop until there's a cure!"