Tanika Taylor, Founder of the Pink Heart Foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, joined me on the podcast this week. Tanika shared her grandmother’s experience with breast cancer and talked about barriers to care and mistrust of the medical professionals within the African American community. She shared how the Pink Heart Foundation supports African American women impacted by breast cancer.
Christine Corrigan is my guest on this episode. She shares her story as a two-time cancer survivor. Her initial diagnosis of cancer came as a teenager followed by a diagnosis of breast cancer thirty-five years later. Christine recently finished her book titled Again: Surviving Cancer Twice with Love and Lists.
Mimi White is my guest on this week’s episode to share her story behind the pink ribbon. She was diagnosed at the age of 34 with stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. She talked about her course of treatments and how through her journey, she was inspired to create the Linkage Beauty Movement in hopes of helping other women to feel beautiful and worthy no matter what.
This is a reshare of the previous episode with Sonya Negley, Executive Director of METAvivor. Sonya talked about the mission of METAvivor and the importance of supporting research for stage IV breast cancer. She shared the different programs available through the organization, such as the peer to peer support group and Sea to Sea for MBC. Sonya also talked about different fundraising events and how you can get involved.
The episode this week is a reshare of the previous episode with Kim Carew, breast cancer survivor and founder of Peace, Love, Tote. Kim shared her story behind the pink ribbon including her treatments. Kim’s personal experience with chemo inspired her to found Peace, Love, Tote, a non-profit organization that provides practical items to newly diagnosed breast cancer chemotherapy patients at no cost.
Harvey Singer and Vicki Singer Wolf joined me on the podcast to share their stories behind the pink ribbon. Vicki was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 35. Following her third diagnosis, Vicki tested positive for the BRCA2 mutation. In 2008, Harvey was diagnosed with breast cancer as well. As a male breast cancer survivor in a very pink world, Harvey struggled to find information and support. Together, they co-founded the HIS Breast Cancer Awareness Foundation.
My guest on this episode is Kelly Thomas. She was 33 years old when diagnosed with stage 3, triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma in January 2018. Kelly shared her story behind the pink ribbon from finding her lump, diagnosis, and treatments. We also talked about the differences between being diagnosed at a young age versus later in life and how those who are diagnosed before the age of 40 are then kicked out of the adolescent and young adult (AYA) support groups once the patient turns 40.
This week, I am resharing the episode with Elizabeth Cluff, founder of Impact One Breast Cancer Foundation. She talked about her personal journey through breast cancer in 2007, which provided the inspiration for the non-profit. As Elizabeth thought about her support system, she was haunted and heartbroken over the women going through breast cancer that didn’t have a good support system. She wanted to send them a shipment of love and include vital items for their journey through breast cancer.
Janet Lindell, a fellow Edinboro University alumnus, joined me on this week’s episode to share her story behind the pink ribbon. She was diagnosed with stage 3C, infiltrating ductal carcinoma in November 2010 at the age of 35. Janet shared how she found the cancer, her course of treatment following her initial diagnosis, getting the news that the cancer had spread to her bones and now her liver, going through years of endless treatments, and living with metastatic breast cancer.
This week, I am resharing the episode with Nikki Speer from Redefined Courage in hopes of helping the organization reach its fundraising goals. Redefined Courage provides post-mastectomy shirts and other goodies to breast cancer patients at no cost. They are hosting their annual gala on September 19, 2020. Please check out the event and their virtual auction.