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Archive for the ‘Survivor Spotlight’ Category

On the FrontLine: Summer 2011

Posted By on June 20th, 2011 at 1:46 pm | 0 comments.

Check out the Summer 2011 edition of our print newsletter, FrontLine!

Survivor Spotlight: Cheryl Behrenshausen

Posted By on June 15th, 2011 at 9:00 am | 2 comments.

Cheryl Behrenshausen, shown left with her family at her daughter’s graduation, teaches first grade in the Shippensburg Area School District. She has been a school teacher for 27 years. Her husband Eric is an elementary school Phys Ed teacher. Two days before Christmas 2004 she had a biopsy following a screening mammogram. Two days after Christmas she got the breast cancer diagnosis.

She says that the mammogram saved her life, and she gives credit to the radiologist who was aggressive about following up on the suspicious finding. The tumor was only 1 centimeter. She had a mastectomy in January 2005 and recently completed 5 years of tamoxifen treatment.

She has a good friend, a co-worker who teaches right beside her. Their birthdays are two weeks apart, they are the same age, and have always been close. Her friend was diagnosed two weeks after Cheryl was. It was a real wake-up call to the school and many of the teachers began getting regular mammograms. Throughout the treatment process the two friends were grateful to have one another to lean on.

She and her husband Eric are big sports fans. She follows the Green Bay Packers and New York Yankees and the family has season tickets to Penn State football games. Cheryl is a member of the ABC’S support group in Carlisle and joins the other members of the group in volunteering at the PBCC Annual Conference registration booth.

Survivor Spotlight: Cindy Holobusky

Posted By on May 16th, 2011 at 12:58 pm | 2 comments.

Cindy Holobusky has had three heart surgeries, at the ages of eight, 40 and 42. Then at age 46 she came out of the shower one day and found a lump in her breast. With two artificial heart valves, her doctors needed to be especially careful preparing her for a lumpectomy. Cindy was hospitalized for several days to monitor the effects of being taken off the blood thinner Coumadin.

That was five years ago and Cindy was glad to hear at her recent check-up that she was “A-OK.” When she was diagnosed Cindy ordered a Friends Like Me care package and says that the things in it helped her to feel like she was not alone. Now she likes to pay it forward by ordering Friends Like Me care packages for other newly-diagnosed women.

Two years ago her insurer denied coverage of her annual mammogram, so her physician’s office contacted the PBCC. We were able to step in and unravel the red tape that was blocking her access. Recently Cindy traveled to State College to attend the Penn State Lady Lions WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State, which benefited the PBCC. She says it was a great feeling to be among the 352 breast cancer survivors honored on the basketball court, especially with those women diagnosed over 20 years ago!

Breast Cancer Survivor, Family, Friend, Health Care Provider? Share Your Story

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:09 am | 6 comments.

Tammy Miller is collecting your stories for her book, Pink Ribbon Stories: A Celebration of Life. Not sure what to say?  Tammy or a team member will interview you and write your story. The publication is due out this Summer with proceeds going to the PBCC.

We are looking for your stories, thoughts, and poems to encourage, inspire, and make you smile, from anyone whose life has been touched by breast cancer.  Since some people are not sure where to begin with their story, we are offering some questions you may consider:

  1. What did you learn through this process?
  2. What words of encouragement would you offer others?
  3. Is there anything you wish you knew before going through this?
  4. Is there anything you wish your doctor would have told you?
  5. Can you identify anything humorous that happened on this path to recovery?

These specific questions do not have to be in your story, but are being offered for consideration.

Submit your information to Tammy at: pinkribbonstories@tammyspeaks.com. You can send it as a Word document (1,200 word max) or in the body of an e-mail. If you need assistance with the typing/telling of your story, please let Tammy know and someone will assist you with your submission.

Deadline for all submissions is June 1, 2011. All stories are subject to editing for space. Any questions, please contact Tammy at: tammy@tammyspeaks.com or call (814) 360-4031.

Survivor Spotlight: Barbara Eyrich

Posted By on April 15th, 2011 at 9:02 am | 12 comments.

When Barbara Eyrich volunteered at the PBCC’s 2008 Home Run Derby in Reading, she couldn’t anticipate she would be diagnosed with breast cancer two years later in May 2010. Barb originally heard about the PBCC through a women’s group she belonged to and was excited to read about the Derby. The following year she learned that Harleysville Savings Bank, where she is a loan officer, had teams participating in the Home Run Derby in Allentown.

So she and her daughter switched their volunteer efforts to the 2009 Lehigh Valley Home Run Derby. Last summer, Barb returned to the Home Run Derby just one month after having breast cancer surgery. She loves being involved in the event, lining up batters for their photos and helping to keep the day running smoothly.

She is just about finished with radiation now and says that having a positive attitude throughout has allowed her to focus on the end result. Her husband and children have been her biggest supporters and she is very grateful to them. Join Barb at the Home Run Derby at Coca-Cola Park on July 6th!

Survivor Spotlight: Dr. Marybeth Miller

Posted By on March 15th, 2011 at 8:54 am | 4 comments.

Dr. Marybeth Miller has a demanding job, teaching physical education to teachers-in-training at Slippery Rock University. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, she was determined to get back to work teaching physical education to future educators as soon as possible. An avid cycler, she knew that being in good physical shape would enhance her recovery. So she approached the preparation for her treatment regimen like an athlete in training for a competition, creating her own wellness campaign she calls Cycling for Surgery.

Dr. Miller shared her story at the recent PBCC exhibit opening at Slippery Rock University, saying “If my experience can play a part in modeling courage and perseverance, then let me lead.” She is grateful to the faculty who supported her, the students who shared their compassion, and the family who were there for her when she needed them.  Her advice: make your best decision, go with it, and then move forward with a positive attitude.

Click here to read survivor stories from previous issues of Pink Link and our quarterly print newsletter, FrontLine.