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.

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

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Michigan's Dancing with the Survivors 2015

Thank you to my friend, Csilla who was unable to attend and asked me to go in her place to the breast cancer survivor celebration, Dancing with the Survivors hosted by the Pink Fund on October 1, 2015 in Bloomfield, Michigan.  A very nice event with an appetizers and wine reception where I had met some really nice supporters. The dancers were breast cancer survivors paired up with professional dancers for a night of dancing and celebrating life!
The Pink Fund, founded by breast cancer survivor, Molly MacDonald assists breast cancer patients in treatment with financial support for living expenses through 3 month grants approvals.
http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/Party-Pics/Dancing-with-the-Survivors/

Sanja and Melissa
Melissa's Warrior Symbol
Molly MacDonald, 
Founder of The Pink Fund
Survivor, Lori Baran
Survivor, Kristy Lynch and her father
Survivor, Kathleen Galligan
Survivor, Brenda Kambakhsh and her husband
Survivor, Kathy Martin and her physician
Gretchen Geist, In honor of her mother
Survivor sisters, Carol Ziecik and Laura Segal
TNBC Survivors Melissa and Carol Ziecik
Melissa and Molly MacDonald, founder
of http://www.pinkfund.org

Click link:
http://www.hourdetroit.com/Hour-Detroit/Party-Pics/Dancing-with-the-Survivors/

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Representing The Victory Center at Komen Northwest Ohio Race 2015

Leading the 5+ years pack
In a crowd of 26,000 people, 12,000 registered participants, I walked as part of The Victory Gals Team in the 22nd Annual Komen NorthWest Ohio Race for the Cure on September 27, 2015.  Besides raising awareness to breast cancer, 75% of funds raised at the event stays right in Northwest, Ohio supporting breast cancer patient services, while the other 25% raised funds National research.
This year, Komen Northwest Ohio affiliate allowed me to carry the 5 year Survivor sign leading the 5+ years Survivors in the Survivor Parade down to the start line for the 5K walk.  Thank you Mary Westphal and all the the ladies of Komen NorthWest Ohio for this great honor!


Team The Victory Center Gals

My favorite Frosty

Victory Center Gals

TNBC sisters, Diana and Melissa

with the 5+ years group

Team The Victory Center Gals

with Pink Panther

with my cousin, Tony

Team The Victory Center Gals


All us pink survivors on the infield


SO MANY INCREDIBLE STORIES OF SURVIVING: Dan Cummins spoke with several breast cancer survivors today, including those representing The Victory Center! #WTOLR4TC #WTOLRACE #RaceForTheCureWe have even more inspiring stories of hope here: http://bit.ly/1Wr0kUK
Posted by WTOL NEWS 11 on Sunday, September 27, 2015

Saturday, September 26, 2015

The Victory Center Gals Unite at Komen Breakfast 2015

Us Victory Center pink sisters

The Komen Breakfast has always been special to me, as I sat in a room not only with my Victory Center survivor gals, but with among hundreds of other breast cancer survivors filling up a banquet room at The Pinnacle in Maumee, OH. on Sept. 12th.  It really is an eye-opener to see all these ladies, several young as 30's and 40's who had fought breast cancer... and they come to celebrate life as we get ready to kick-off the Komen Race on Sept. 27th.  It's always inspiring to hear Komen survivor honoree's speak and share their stories with us, and hear how Komen had helped honoree, Kit Curran by funding her mammogram... the mammogram that saved her life as the mammogram detected her breast cancer.  Stories like this makes me grateful that we have such a wonderful Komen affiliate in our community that provides these breast health needs to woman who are uninsured or under-insured.
Thank you Komen Northwest Ohio and Mary Westphal for your continued dedication to us women and for all the hours your staff puts in every day to stick to Komen's Mission: To End Breast Cancer Forever.

Lucy, Rita, Melissa, Chrys, Judi and Michelle
Joyce, Deb, Rita, Judi, Lucy, Michelle and Lauri
Kim, Lori, Beth, Sue, Melissa J. and Lynette
Michelle, Melissa, Lauri and Joyce on far right
Rita, Judi and Lucy
The beautiful, Barbara Oxner
with Jackie's mom, Mary
with Miss Teen Ohio, Shelby
with TNBC survivor, Lindsay Vanderveen

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Detroit Tigers Pink out the Park 2015


On Friday September 15, 2015, I get a telephone call from my pink sister, Lynette of my local breast cancer group... Lynette asks me if I wanted to go to Detroit Tiger's Pink Out The Park game and that she had an extra ticket.  I ask her when and she stated today... I said I would need to clear my calendar for the day and check with my husband.  After breaking previous commitments which were rescheduled, I headed up to Michigan where Lynette lived and we drove together into Detroit early to beat the traffic and eat dinner at Hockeytown Cafe.  At the game, we met up with some breast cancer survivors from Lynette's online group and also ran into Maureen, a TNBC sister whom I met a year prior at another TNBC event in Detroit.  I also met 3 other ladies that were TNBC survivors and got to chat with at the game.  I was able to walk out on the infield with Lynette as we and other breast cancer survivors were recognized for the breast cancer awareness game.  I was honored to be Lynette's guest to the game and infield ceremony, a memory that I will always hold close to my heart. The baseball game was great with a win over the Kansas City Royals, great weather and great company.  Thank you Lynette, my dear pink sister, I love you! - Melissa


Pink out the Park 2015, Go TIGERS!

ROAR!

Melissa and TNBC survivor, Lisa G.

Pink sisters, Melissa and Lynette Layman

TNBC sisters, Maureen and Melissa

TNBC sisters, Melissa, Jennifer Barnes and Maureen Smith

Lynette and Melissa

Paws says NO to cancer!

"For my girls!"

TNBC sisters, Collette and Melissa

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