Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition

Volunteer Spotlight: Rosemary Engle

2012-02-21T09:54:00.003-05:00

Read a Q& A with DBCC Volunteer and Peer Mentor
Rosemary Engle of Dover

What led you to your involvement with DBCC?
I actually attended the Southern Lights of Life gala before I was involved or knew how to be involved with DBCC. I then called DBCC to inquire about volunteering and was immediately invited to the Peer Mentor Training. I have been involved ever since.

What made you decide to become a peer mentor?
After attending the training, there was no question that this program was a very positive way to be involved with fellow survivors. The training itself gave me a feeling of support that I never experienced since my own diagnosis of breast cancer. We were all able to relate in a special way with each other as we shared a unique common bond. The atmosphere was one that allowed us to comfortably express our feelings and experiences that resulted from our survival journey. I knew that if I could help another survivor to gain that same freedom of expression, then this program was for me.

What have been some of your favorite volunteer opportunities with DBCC?
I have enjoyed every volunteer experience with DBCC, but I must say that being on the Fashion Show Committee for the 2012 Southern Lights of Life Gala has been my favorite opportunity.

What is a memorable moment you have had being a mentor to someone else through their breast cancer journey?
The most memorable moment as a Peer Mentor was when my mentee and I first met for lunch and we really enjoyed sharing so much. We eventually became friends and continue to keep in touch now that she has completed her treatment and can enjoy being cancer-free.


Rosemary (right) with DBCC Program Manager Lois Wilkinson at a Nurture with Nature event

Anything else you would like to add about DBCC or yourself?
I think that all survivors who reach out to DBCC and their various programs are able to continue their involvement and be part of the DBCC family of survivors. There are wonderful programs and events like Nurture With Nature, Southern Lights of Life, volunteer work at various health fairs, educational events, and other community activities that can keep survivors busy and involved year-round. It's great to be able to help DBCC as a survivor, even in any small way.

Rosemary is the Co-Chair of the Fashion Committee for the 2012 Southern Lights of Life which will be held on Saturday, February 25 from 6 to 10 pm at Dover Downs! Local breast cancer survivors will be models for the evening and wear fashions from local retailers.

If you are a breast cancer survivor and are interested in helping newly diagnosed patients through their journeys, click here to learn more about the Peer Mentor Support Program. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, click here.

National Breast Cancer Coalition to Host Annual Advocate Summit

2012-02-15T20:40:00.001-05:00

Submitted by the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC)

Confused about what’s happening in breast cancer? We’re not.

The National Breast Cancer Coalition has focused on the goal of ending breast cancer for the past 20 years. Now we have a plan and a deadline on how to get there and when. January 1, 2020!

Join us in Washington, DC May 5-8, for NBCC’s Annual Advocate Summit (formerly the Annual Advocacy Training Conference) to find out how you can be a part of the most important work happening in breast cancer today―Breast Cancer Deadline 2020®. Hear about scientific progress with an uncompromising focus on what really matters… real prevention and a halt to deadly metastasis. Tell your Congressmen all about it on Lobby Day and ask them, along with the President, to make this a priority for the country. Let them know that together we can do this. We’re all about ending breast cancer by the deadline.

Visit BreastCancerDeadline2020.org/2012Summit to get the most up-to-date information about the NBCC Annual Advocate Summit.

We’re done wasting time. Join us in D.C. May 5-8, 2012. Register Today!

Ask the Doctor: What's a Breast Ultrasound?

2012-02-14T18:24:00.001-05:00

Ask the Doctor with Dr. Jacqueline Napoletano, MD

Breast Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves. The sound waves travel through tissues (in the breast that is fibroglandular, fat, cysts, and tumors) and bounce off boundaries to produce an image. Ultrasound does not use radiation.

Ultrasound is an adjunctive test, used in addition to mammography, not a replacement for mammography.

Indications for breast ultrasound include:

Characterization of masses as a cyst or solid mass.
Characterization of solid masses for low or high probability of malignancy.
Evaluation of a palpable finding (breast lump).
Evaluation of a breast density or mammographic finding.
Evaluation of nipple discharge.
To guide in breast biopsies.
Potential use in screening in dense breast following a mammogram.

About Dr. Napoletano

Dr. Jacqueline Napoletano, MD received her Doctor of Medicine in 1989 from the Temple University School of Medicine. She currently serves as a radiologist, director of breast imaging and lead interpreting physician at the Christiana Care Health System Department of Radiology. She also serves as the Medical Director at the School of Radiologic Technology in Newark, DE. She is a Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) Board Member and sits on the advisory committee for the Christiana Care Health System Center of Excellence for Women.

Ask the Doctor: What about Breast MRI?

2012-02-14T18:23:00.005-05:00

Ask the Doctor with Dr. Jacqueline Napoletano, MD

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a very precise image of the breast. MRI uses no radiation.

MRI is an adjunctive test, performed in addition to mammography and not a replacement for mammography.

In 2007, an expert panel reported new recommendations for the use of MRI screening for women at increased risk for breast cancer. The panel recommended annual screening using MRI in addition to mammography for women at high lifetime risk (20-25% or greater). Women at a moderately increased risk (15%-20% lifetime risk) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening. MRI screening is not recommended for women whose lifetime risk is less than 15%.

Indications for breast MRI include:

Screening in patients with a high risk of developing breast cancer (20-25% lifetime risk of breast cancer, such as women who carry the BRCA1, BRCA2 genes and women with prior chest wall radiation (such as in treatment for lymphoma).
In some patients with a new diagnosis of breast cancer. This is controversial as MRI in this case has potential benefits (such as finding additional cancer in the same breast or the opposite breast) but also has risks (such as leading to more biopsies that are not cancerous and also increases a woman’s chance of having a mastectomy).
Assess a patient’s response to chemotherapy.
Determine what is scar tissue versus a recurrence of cancer at site of prior surgery.
Evaluation for rupture in silicone breast implants.

Since breast MRI can lead to additional biopsies, the decision to have a breast MRI should be made after discussion of the benefits and the risks with your doctor.

About Dr. Napoletano

Ask the Doctor: The Truth about Mammograms

2012-02-14T18:23:00.004-05:00

Ask the Doctor with Dr. Jacqueline Napoletano, MD

At this time, the cause of breast cancer is unknown, so there is no sure way to prevent breast cancer. Strategies that may help prevent breast cancer include avoiding weight gain and obesity, engaging in regular physical activity, and minimizing alcohol intake. The effect of diet on breast cancer risk remains an active area of research. However, no clear link has been found.

As a result of primarily early breast cancer detection (although some have suggest that it is due to improved treatment), the death rate from breast cancer is 24% lower.

The American Cancer Society recommends women receive an annual mammogram beginning at age 40. Numerous randomized trials have shown that mammography reduces the risk of dying from breast cancer. Early detection also leads to a greater range of treatment options, including less-aggressive surgery (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy) and less-aggressive adjuvant therapy. Breast cancer size at the time of diagnosis is an important factor. Regardless of tumor grade and nodal status, patients with breast cancers less than 1 cm in size have a 20-year survival rate of approximately 87% (Tabar L., Two-County Swedish trial).

If a woman is in a high risk category, screening can be started 10 years earlier. For instance, if your mother’s breast cancer occurred at an age before 40, we start screening 10 years before that age. However, we usually don’t start screening before age 25.

A mammogram is a low dose X-ray of the breast. Every mammogram is unique. No two women have the same appearance on mammography. The breasts are made up of a mixture of fat and glandular elements. The less fat and the more glandular elements create an image of a denser breast. The denser breast tissue decreases the sensitivity of the mammogram for finding the cancer. Mammography has an overall sensitivity for finding cancer of 80%. Digital type mammograms have improved sensitivity in the dense breast. Computer aided detection also gives an "edge" to finding breast cancer and serves as a second set of eyes marking suspicious areas for the Radiologist who reads the mammogram.

Mammography does have its limitations. Even with the use of mammography (the best method for detecting early breast cancers), breast cancers will be missed. Not all breast cancer will be detected by a mammogram, and some breast cancers detected by mammography may still have a poor prognosis. Also, a small percentage of breast cancers found by screening, particularly ductal carcinoma in situ, would not have progressed and the treatment may be unnecessary.

Your risk of being called back for additional images after a screening mammogram is overall 10% or less. Only 10% of these returning women will then be recommended for a biopsy. The majority of those women called back will subsequently be given a benign diagnosis or asked to return in 6 months to follow up a finding which is almost certainly benign. In addition, approximately 70-80% of all breast biopsies turn out to be benign.

To be a good screening test, the test must prove that it saves lives, be of low risk and low cost. At the present time mammography is the best screening test we have that meets these criteria and potentially finds a cancer at an earlier stage.

About Dr. Napoletano

Ask the Doctor: Breast Cancer Risk Factors

2012-02-14T18:23:00.003-05:00

DBCC talks with Dr. Jacqueline Napoletano, MD. Dr. Napoletano received her Doctor of Medicine in 1989 from the Temple University School of Medicine. She currently serves as a radiologist, director of breast imaging and lead interpreting physician at the Christiana Care Health System Department of Radiology. She also serves as the Medical Director at the School of Radiologic Technology in Newark, DE. She is a Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) Board Member and sits on the advisory committee for the Christiana Care Health System Center of Excellence for Women.

Excluding skin cancer, breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy among American women. About 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. A man's lifetime risk of breast cancer is about 1 in 1,000.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer mortality.

Relevant risk factors:

Being female
Growing older. Incidence increases with age (for women age 50 and older - 375 per 100,000 compared with women under age 50 - 42.5 per 100,000). However, because women under the age of 50 represent about 73% of the female population, 23% of all breast cancers are diagnosed in women under the age of 50.
Personal history of breast cancer and prior breast biopsies with certain benign diagnoses such at atypia, atypical ductal hyperplasia, lobular neoplasia, and juvenile papillomatosis.
Family history of breast cancer involving a first degree relative. A woman's risk of breast cancer approximately doubles if she has a first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. About 15% of women who get breast cancer have a family member diagnosed with it. 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.
BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations--found in approximately 5-20% of the total percentage of breast and ovarian cancers.
History of chest wall exposure to high dose radiation (such as with prior treatment for lymphoma).
Other factors implicated with breast cancer risk: early menarche, late menopause, late first-term pregnancy, nulliparity (no full-term pregnancies), postmenopausal obesity, and hormone replacement therapy.

Breast cancer mortality rates (death rates) have declined an average of 2.3% per year between 1990 and 2005. These decreases are thought to be the result of treatment advances, earlier detection through screening and increased awareness.

Two DBCC Volunteers are awarded Bank of America Local Heroes Award

2011-11-02T14:59:00.000-04:00

Carol Knotts (left) and Bev Michel

Two dedicated Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition volunteers have been awarded the prestigious Bank of America Local Heroes Award. Sisters Carol Knotts and Bev Michel have been volunteering with the coalition for years helping with the Northern Lights of Life gala each fall and the Southern Lights of Life gala in the late winter. Knotts, of Chadds Ford, Pa., has raised over $300,000 for the coalition by obtaining donations for the live and silent auctions for the Northern Lights of Life event. Michel, of West Chester, donates her time and talent as a master photographer/owner of Bev Michel Photography. Michel donates portraits of the models for the Lights of Life galas and photographs the event.

The Bank of America Local Heroes Award is for those who exemplify the bank’s highest standards in community service, are champions for a vital cause, inspire others to get involved and have a special and significant impact on individuals, families, and their community. Knotts and Michel were awarded a $5,000 grant and directed their grant to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

Thank you Carol and Bev for your hard work and dedication to the fight against breast cancer!

Giving back: Mentees become DBCC Peer Mentors

2011-10-31T12:48:00.001-04:00

“Only people who have walked the walk can tell you what it is like,” says Barbara Nolan, breast cancer survivor and DBCC peer mentor. Barbara, who resides in Bear, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2009. “When I first found out I had breast cancer, I was panicked."

In search of a local support group, Barbara came across DBCC’s website and called DBCC Program Director, Cathy Holloway. “She soothed a lot of my fears before my surgery,” Barbara said. Cathy then matched her with a peer mentor, a breast cancer survivor who is trained to provide support to those newly diagnosed.

“It’s rare to have an instant bond with someone you don’t know but my mentor and I became good friends.”

Program Manager Connie Holdridge mentoring.

Diane Duncker feels the same way. Diane was diagnosed with breast cancer while moving from York, Pa. to Lewes. “I was diagnosed around the holidays and had no family or support down here. And I didn’t really know anyone who had been through it at that time,” she said. Diane was put in touch with DBCC and was matched with a mentor. “My mentor was great with calling and helping me through my journey.”

After being diagnosed in December 2008, Gail Lanouette of Dover was referred to DBCC by her surgeon. “Within 10 days of my diagnosis I had an entire package of information from DBCC and a card from Lois [DBCC Program Manager],” she said. “I called Lois and she was so supportive and calmed my fears.” Gail was matched with a peer mentor who had a similar surgery and treatment plan.

Gail was told by her doctors that she qualified for a clinical trial. “I had so many questions so I called Lois and she was great at guiding me through the questions.” Gail chose to enroll in the clinical trial. “I knew the medicine that was helping me was made possible by other woman who enrolled in a clinical trial so I had to do it.”

Gail Lanouette (right) with Program Manager Lois Wilkinson

After Barbara, Diane and Gail went through surgery and treatment, they decided to become Peer Mentors themselves. “Once I felt strong enough to help someone else, I signed up for the training,” Barbara said. DBCC hosts quarterly Peer Mentor training sessions in all three counties and at Union Hospital in Cecil County, Md. The Peer Mentor Support Program provides one-on-one support for a newly diagnosed breast cancer patient from a trained breast cancer survivor.

“I knew when I finished chemo that I wanted to give back and help other women through their journey,” Gail said.

“Because if I didn’t have a mentor, I don’t think I would have been able to figure it all out."

Gail has mentored a few women and says the peer mentor training has also helped her mentor some friends through their breast cancer journeys. “My husband was my best supporter but it is so important to have other women. Other ladies told me it was okay to feel tired and sick and shared tips with me to keep me more comfortable through my treatment,” she said. Gail explained that small pieces of wisdom like where to get lymphedema sleeves or to use cooling gel after radiation made all the difference.

Because Gail went through a clinical trial, she also participated in the DBCC Clinical Trial Peer Mentor Training program. The program is for survivors who have participated in clinical trials and want to help those newly diagnosed make educated decisions about clinical trials and dispel some of the myths about trials and research. For more information, click here.

“DBCC is phenomenal,” Gail says. “They do so much for so many people. DBCC helps those newly diagnosed through the journey – emotionally and physically. And this program is important because those newly diagnosed look at all the survivors who have been there and then they know they will be there too,” Gail said.

“When you are a peer mentor you form warm relationships and such a great camaraderie with the women you mentor,” Barbara said. The Peer Mentor Support Program is available to those newly diagnosed at no charge. “When I meet people in the community who receive a breast cancer diagnosis, I always recommend they call DBCC and get a peer mentor,” Diane said.

To learn more about the Peer Mentor Support Program, click here or call 1-866-312-DBCC.

Volunteer Spotlight: Michele Hogsett

2011-10-31T10:19:00.000-04:00

Michele (center) at the 2011 Save the Breast Fest.

Three years ago, breast cancer survivor Michele Hogsett created an event, Save the Breast Fest, to raise money for breast cancer. Hogsett was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2008 and was connected with Screening for Life, a state program that provides payment for cancer screening tests to qualified Delaware adults, to get a mammogram and biopsy. The Women’s Mobile Health Screening (WMHS) Van Staff introduced Michele to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s peer mentor program where she met program managers Lois Wilkinson and Cheryl Doucette.

Michele is the lead singer of popular cover band, Semiblind, and decided to use her talent and resources to create the Save the Breast Fest event. The event features live music from local bands along with raffles and contests. The event has been held at different locations each year. This past year, the event featured 8 bands and was held at Oasis Bar & Grill in Whaleyville, Maryland during Delmarva's Bike Week.

Michele performing at a DBCC event in December 2010.

Michele explains the goal for the event is to raise awareness. She wants to spread the message of breast self exams and early detection, especially to a younger demographic of women. Michele says she chose to give the proceeds to DBCC because she was looking for an organization that helped local women. “DBCC is a priceless resource for women of the Eastern Shore,” Michele said. “I appreciate all of the support that DBCC has given me.”

Michele is excited that Save the Breast Fest has support from the community. “This year’s event was great. We had people volunteer and offer raffle prizes without being asked. We were also approached about making it an official event of Delmarva Bike Week next year which is exciting!”

Visit the Save the Breast Fest Facebook page to learn more and see event photos.

Tribute to Deloris Donnelly, Co-founder of the Nurture with Nature Program

2011-10-31T10:18:00.000-04:00

Deloris kayaking at a Nurture with Nature outing.

Growing up in Virginia, Deloris Donnelly learned to love and appreciate the great outdoors at a young age. She developed a knack for teaching others about nature and has served as a nature educator, teacher, naturalist, master gardener, and even sat on the Governor’s Commission for Parks & Recreation. Nature has always been a big part of her life and with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Nurture with Nature program, she has shared her knowledge and passion with breast cancer survivors for more than 5 years.

After her own breast cancer journey, Deloris asked DBCC Program Manager Lois Wilkinson if she would like to start a hiking group for breast cancer survivors. And in 2006, the Nurture with Nature program was born when Lois and Deloris hosted their first outing at Abbott’s Mill. Deloris recalls a wide variety of ladies showed up for this first event and they all had one thing in common: they all had their own breast cancer journey. “People didn’t know each other at that event but they learned a few new things about nature and they were excited about it.”


Nurture with Nature at Redden State Forrest in October 2011

Additional Nurture with Nuture photos on DBCC's Flickr site.

After that first event, Deloris and Lois recognized a real need for this type of program. “The goal was to get breast cancer survivors outdoors and get their minds away from treatment and cancer,” Deloris said. Lois and Deloris started planning monthly outings at different state parks and nature centers throughout the First State. They have visited places like Peterson Nature Center, Bombay Hook, Assawoman Bay, and many more and have hosted a wide variety of programs including wildflower hiking, birding, biking, shelling and various other outdoor activities.

The Nurture with Nature program has also served as a great introduction to Delaware for many breast cancer survivors. “There were a lot of survivors who were new to Delaware and this was a great way to introduce them to a warm, welcoming group and explore some of the most beautiful places in Delaware,” Deloris said. Even the longtime Delawareans discover some places in Delaware that they didn’t know about.

Deloris talking to the survivors at Slaughter Beach.

Deloris has received great support from participants of the Nurture with Nature program. “Some ladies don’t particularly like nature but they grow and blossom in the program,” she said. “Sometimes we have a new participant, who is hesitant to try something new like kayaking, but we pair them with someone who has done it before and they always have a good time and want to do it again.”

Nurture with Nature co-founder Lois Wilkinson says that she could not have started the program without her. “Deloris has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to nature. She has introduced all of Delaware’s state parks to us and shown survivors the benefits of being out in nature while healing and recovering from breast cancer.” Deloris says that she just wanted to find a way to share her love of nature with other people. “I think for some breast cancer survivors the traditional, indoor support groups can be very tense and fearful. Many find it much easier to talk during the outdoor activities that are relaxing and educational,” she said.

After more than 5 years with the program, Deloris will be leaving Delaware to move to the Sunshine State, Florida. On behalf of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and all of the survivors whose lives she has touched, THANK YOU Deloris for your leadership and for sharing your knowledge, time and talent.

Testimonials from Nurture with Nature participants:

“It really helped getting exercise and helping to get your thoughts on nature. Deloris is a wonderful person. We are really going to miss a good friend and cancer survivor.”—Joan Golden

“The Nurture with Nature program has been extremely beneficial. It provides such a welcomed opportunity to enjoy nature and to become immersed in the miracles that it presents. Having someone with Deloris’ expertise and genuine love of nature make the experiences all the more wonderful. Her generosity of spirit, her compassion and support, and her sensitivity to each person’s circumstances are both endearing and quite unique. All of us have been touched in such a positive and substantive way by her presence and involvement.” –Susan Chaffinch

"I have always enjoyed the beauty and calming effect of nature. Having the opportunity to share that feeling in the company of fellow breast cancer survivors is wonderful—and then to learn so much information in a fun and interesting way on top of all that from Deloris, not only a survivor, but an extremely knowledgeable naturalist as well—that's amazing!” –Merry Jones

For more information about the Nurture with Nature program, please contact DBCC Program Manager Lois Wilkinson at lwilkinson@debreastcancer.org or 302-672-6435.

Great Stuff: Celebrating One-Year in Business!

2011-10-31T10:17:00.000-04:00

Some of the Great Stuff volunteers

A year and a half ago, an old lighting shop sat vacant in the Talleyville Center on Route 202. Today, an upscale resale boutique, Great Stuff, is decorated with pink stripes and attracts customers who like to “shop for a cause.” On October 20, 2011, Great Stuff celebrated its one-year anniversary! The shop, which carries women’s clothing, accessories, and home furnishings, had a very successful first year in business.

Great Stuff store manager, Dale Maahs, says that the shop has exceeded everyone’s expectations. Dale explains that there were some concerns with the shop, especially with recruiting enough volunteers and donations to keep the shop going strong. “That has not been a problem,” Dale explains. “The donations have been rolling in every day and we have a great core of over 30 wonderful volunteers.”

Dale with a happy customer

Unlike your average consignment shop, Great Stuff thrives solely on donated items and is staffed by Maahs, an assistant manager, and trained volunteers. “The volunteers are fabulous. Many were customers first and saw how much fun the volunteers were having and wanted to join them. Others have a connection to breast cancer and want to give back.” Dale explains that many survivors on her volunteer staff are able to share their stories with each other and build camaraderie. A group of volunteers from Great Stuff recently got together and created a team for the Inaugural Race for the Pink Ribbon 5K which benefited DBCC.

Great Stuff volunteers at the Race for the Pink Ribbon

The volunteers help with taking in donations and pricing them, working on the sales floor and helping in the backroom. “The quality of donations that we get is amazing. So many are in pristine condition, some with the tags still on, and we get a wide range of brands and designers,” Dale said. “We are so thankful for the support of the community with donations and volunteers. We even have support from other local retailers for in-kind services and some donated items.”

The shop has been a great fundraising arm for DBCC, but has also provided a great source of outreach to the community. “The visibility that the shop has given DBCC in the community has been wonderful,” DBCC Executive Director Vicky Cooke said. “It is a place where survivors can volunteer and talk with other survivors and those newly diagnosed in the community.” Maahs agrees, “We have such a great family here. Customers always say ‘Wow!’ when they learn that the proceeds from the shop benefit DBCC. People come in and thank us all the time and tell us that we are so needed in the community. Customers want to help and be a part of it. They become regular shoppers and donors, and refer their friends to the shop.”

Visit Great Stuff's website or check out their Facebook and Twitter pages!

Read this article in the Dover Post about the Great Stuff and their anniversary.

Breast Cancer & Breast Health iPhone App Review

2011-10-31T09:54:00.001-04:00

Photo by breastcancer.org.

By Vicky Tosh-Morelli, DBCC Director of Information Services

How often have you heard “There’s an App for that?” referring to the ubiquitous nature of the small applications built for smart phones? It didn’t take long for several breast cancer and breast health related apps to appear on the iPhone App Store. Here’s a review of a few we checked out.

One caveat, we didn’t download any apps that weren’t free. If the information you are providing about breast cancer isn’t freely available, one has to question your motives and the validity of your information. There were enough free, quality apps out there that spending even 99 cents seemed a waste.

**Click each App name in bold to be brought to the Apple App Store for a description. Some apps are designed for the iPhone and iPad.**

1. Breast Cancer Diagnosis Guide – breastcancer.org
This rather utilitarian app allows you to enter responses relevant to your breast cancer diagnosis and then provides you with a customized set of relevant articles. It’s a lot of information to get through but the explanations that accompany each question or group of questions are very good. The app also includes a comprehensive word list to help explain some of the medical terminology. The app may be handy for tracking the specific characteristics of your breast cancer but the breastcancer.org website is much easier to navigate for the information provided.

2. Breast Cancer Beyond the Shock – National Breast Cancer Foundation
Described as a “comprehensive online guide to understanding breast cancer,” Beyond the Shock provides a series of animated short videos organized into seven chapters. Each chapter may have one to 10 segments, none longer than 3 minutes. The information is very good and easily understandable. The app also provides links to videos of real breast cancer survivors talking about their experiences and a discussion board where you can post questions. It’s an excellent package with one drawback - the discussion board doesn’t seem to be well moderated so some questions and some answers may not be the most helpful and could even be upsetting.

3. iBreastCheck – Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Developed by a UK breast cancer charity, iBreastCheck is one of the best breast health apps we found. It features a video that demonstrates the TLC (Touch, Look, Check) breast health message and emphasizes that knowing your own body is one of the best methods of early detection. There is also an illustrated guide that takes you through the steps and it allows you to set up monthly reminders. The “Risk” section asks a series of questions and provides you with a “Risk Report” and advice on what you can do to reduce your breast cancer risk. The app also provides links to the Breakthrough Breast Cancer website, donation page and newsletter signup.

4. Breast Cancer Awareness – Health Authority Abu Dhabi
This app is part of a public education campaign in the Middle East and provides information in English and Arabic. It presents a nice overview of breast health information, risk factors, and screening guidelines. You can also set reminders for monthly self checks. There is a nice section called “Men and Breast Cancer” that talks about the supportive role men can play for the women in their lives and gives information about male breast cancer as well.

5. Dr. K’s Breast Checker – www.Doctor-K.net
A rather simple app to help you become more aware of your breasts through self-exam. The app lets you mark areas of concern on an image of a breast and then takes you through a series of questions about other changes to your breasts. The app stores the information by date and lets you compare answers from month to month. If you indicate a change, “Dr. K” will recommend you see a health care provider.

6. Breast Health and Healing - the Breast Health & Healing Foundation
Unfortunately, not a very well designed app with an unclear purpose. The text is rather small to read on a smart phone. The app mostly provides links to the website and ways to follow Dr. Ruddy on social media. The most useful part of the app is the Mammogram Facility finder. The app uses your current location to produce a Google Map of facilities in your vicinity but I couldn’t get it to find by zip code and the information may be out of date.

7. Chemo Calendar – Health Monitor
A nice utility that lets you track appointments, medications, and health information during treatment. It has built in protection to keep your data safe and allows you to email some of the information to you medical providers.

8. CURE – CURE Magazine
A nice app for taking CURE Magazine with you on your iPhone. You can read articles from current issues in text format or as the full layout from the magazine. Links in articles are “live” so they will take you to the website for more information.

No smart phone? No problem! There are a ton of great resources on the web that anyone with internet access can use. Here are just a few:

And of course, don't forget Delaware resources:

Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition
Screening for Life (Delaware Division of Health and Social Service)

Ask the Doctor: Breast Cancer Myths with Dr. Jon Strasser

2011-10-20T15:20:00.050-04:00

Dr. Jon Strasser, DBCC Board Member

There are a lot of common myths about breast cancer and we want everyone to know the facts. We talked with Dr. Jon Strasser and he cleared up some common myths about breast cancer. Dr. Strasser is a DBCC Board Member and a radiation oncologist at Radiation Oncologists, PA and an attending physician for the Christiana Care Health System. To read his full bio, click here. Thanks Dr. Strasser for clearing up these myths.

Myth: Breast cancer doesn’t run in my family so I don’t have to get a mammogram every year.
While some forms of breast cancer are due to genetic mutations, the vast majority of breast cancers are not related to mutations. The average woman has a 1 in 8 lifetime chance of getting breast cancer. Mammograms are the most effective screening test to detect breast cancer. Annual mammograms over the age of 40 can help catch many breast cancers in their early, most treatable form, leading to a better chance of beating the disease, and reduced mortality. Women who skip annual mammograms tend to have cancers detected at later stages of disease.

Myth: Your father's family history of breast cancer doesn't affect your risk as much as your mother's.
The two main mutations that cause breast cancer, BRCA1 and BRCA2, can be inherited from either your mother or your father. If either parent harbors either of these mutations and passes it on to their children, they will be at a high risk of developing a breast cancer. Hence it is important when looking at family history to not only look at the mother’s family history, but also the father’s family history to see if there is any indication that there is a higher prevalence of breast cancer, suggesting a mutation. In addition, you need to look primarily at the women on your father’s side; while men do get breast cancer, women are more vulnerable to it.

Myth: Annual mammograms expose you to so much radiation that they increase your risk of cancer.

Mammography is a special type of x-ray imaging that uses low dose x-rays, high contrast, high-resolution film, and an x-ray system designed specifically for getting detailed images of the breast. Mammograms have been performed since the 1920s and modern mammography in use since the 1970s uses extremely low doses of radiation to get a good image of the breast. Since the early 2000s, with the advent of digital mammograms, the dose has been even further reduced.

To put this in comparison, the dose received by one CT scan of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis is equivalent to about fifty mammograms. In addition, the dose from one mammogram is equivalent to 7 weeks of normal background radiation that we receive daily from natural sources.

The benefits of mammography far exceed the extremely low risk of radiation.

Myth: Knowing you have changes in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene can help you prevent breast cancer.
While only 5-10% of all breast cancers are associated with known genetic mutations, both BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations are associated with a greater than 80% lifetime risk of breast cancer, and possibly other malignancies, such as ovarian cancer. Approximately 30% of women also inherit other familial causes of breast cancer potentially putting them at a higher lifetime risk of breast cancer as well. Women who have the mutation are recommended to have more aggressive screening from an earlier age, and are also candidates for chemoprevention strategies or bilateral prophylactic mastectomies, and sometimes oophorectomy (ovary removal). These can help to minimize the risk of developing breast cancer in known carriers of the gene mutation.

Myth: I was called back for "extra views" after my mammogram. That must mean I have cancer.
Mammograms can often detect architectural changes in the breast that may or may not be real (for example a fold of the breast tissue). Extra views, such as compression views or magnification views, may be needed to help determine if these areas are real or not. The majority of call backs actually prove that there is not a concerning finding on the imaging.

Myth: Mammograms are painful.
In order to get the best image quality from a mammogram, the breast needs to be compressed, to flatten out folds of tissue to prevent a false reading. The majority of mammograms are not painful, however, there can be some occasional discomfort that only lasts a short time during the examination. A small amount of discomfort is worth the benefit of a mammogram.

Myth: Radiation therapy is dangerous and will affect other parts of my body.
Radiation is indeed a scary word to people and has many connotations of danger – most people always equate radiation to a nuclear power plant.

However, modern radiation therapy is a widely used modality in all cancers, is an effective tool in fighting cancer, and extremely safe. In this day and age, radiation therapy is planned 3-Dimensionally to carefully identify the area of the cancer and also the normal adjacent tissues that need to be spared. Radiation can then be delivered with very precise shaping to confine the radiation to the area that needs to be treated, with minimal dose to the adjacent tissues. It is a safe modality and the long term risks are very low.

Myth: Participating in a clinical trial is good for others but not for me.
Clinical trials are an important tool to allow us to learn how we can improve our treatments to be less toxic and to improve on outcomes with newer medicines or treatment. The goal of a clinical trial is to test whether a new treatment is better than the current standard of care. As a worst case scenario, a patient would receive a standard treatment, and maybe even a newer treatment that could be more beneficial than the standard treatment. While an individual may not directly benefit from a clinical trial, they will likely help the countless number of women who will get cancer in the future. As a patient, this is your way to help future women who will be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Myth: If I don’t feel a lump, I don’t need to go for my mammogram.
While some cancers can be present with a breast lump, the majority of breast cancers are detected before a lump is felt due to the use of mammograms. Annual mammograms allow doctors to detect changes in the breast architecture that may be associated with breast cancer, thereby allowing the cancer to be diagnosed early, where it can be successfully treated. In addition, lumps are often not associated with breast cancer - roughly 80% of breast lumps are caused by benign changes (cysts, fibroadenomas). If you feel a lump you should see your primary care provider or gynecologist to determine if further evaluation is warranted.

Myth: Birth control pills cause breast cancer.
The effect of oral contraceptives pills (OCPs) on breast cancer is an area of controversy, but probably not associated with a significant risk of breast cancer. While one large analysis in 1996 from the Collaborative Group on Hormonal Factors in Breast Cancer demonstrated a slight elevation of developing breast cancer after the use of OCPs, the Women’s Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences study published in 2002 in the New England Journal of Medicine did not show any increase in risk in breast cancer in those women who have used oral contraceptives.

Young women with BRCA1 or BRCA 2 mutations, or who have a strong family history of breast cancer who have used oral contraceptives may have an increased risk of breast cancer. This may or may not actually be caused by the oral contraceptive given these patients high lifetime risk of breast cancer.

I would recommend talking to your gynecologist to further discuss your particular situation.

Myth: Drinking from a plastic water bottle causes cancer.

There is no evidence that plastic bottled water causes breast cancer. This is purely a theoretical concern, as BPA (the plastic material in bottles) is a synthetic estrogen and breast cancer can be stimulated by estrogen. However, there has never been any study that has conclusively shown a risk.

Myth: There is nothing you can do to reduce the risk of getting breast cancer. If it is going to happen, it will happen.
A woman’s chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is about 1 in 8 by the time she reaches 85. While there are some known causes of breast cancer (such as known genetics mutations, prior chest radiation for Hodgkin’s disease), the majority of breast cancers are sporadic without a known cause.

There is a lot that average risk women can do to lower their risk of breast cancer, including losing weight if they are obese, getting regular exercise, lowering alcohol consumption and having regular clinical breast examinations and annual mammograms. Smoking cessation is also a good strategy (and also reduces your chance of lung cancer).

There is active research on prevention strategies, and for some women at extremely high risk, there is data on anti-estrogen drugs such as raloxifene or tamoxifen that show a preventive benefit. For very high risk women, the option of prophylactic mastectomy can reduce their risk by 90%.

If you feel you may be at high risk, I would recommend talking with an expert who can evaluate your situation and discuss your options.

For more information from DBCC about breast cancer, click here.

Read 31 Breast Cancer Myths from the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Two DBCC Staff Members Complete NBCC's Project LEAD Training in California

2011-08-18T12:04:00.008-04:00

Two DBCC Staff Members, Kelly Kershaw and Caitlin Dalik, both of the Wilmington office, graduated from the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) Project LEAD Institute. Kelly and Caitlin participated in the course on July 17-22, 2011 in La Jolla, California. The course enrolled 50 breast cancer advocates from all over the country. The Project LEAD Institute is an intensive 6-day course which trains breast cancer advocates in the science of breast cancer so that they can better understand and analyze breast cancer research and policy. The course included lessons on the language and concepts of cancer biology, basic epidemiology, research methodology, and more. Several other DBCC Staff members have also completed the course.

Photo caption: Kershaw (left) and Dalik of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition on a Project LEAD Institute field trip at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California. Scripps is a medical research facility that focuses on research in the basic biomedical sciences.

DBCC's Cathy Holloway Attends the 6th "Era of Hope" Meeting in Orlando

2011-08-18T12:02:00.001-04:00

Article written by Department of Defense - Breast Cancer Research Program

On August 2-5, 2011 at the Orlando World Center Marriott, more than 1450 researchers, clinicians, breast cancer survivors, and advocates gathered at the 6th Era of Hope meeting, sponsored by the Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP). The Era of Hope meeting is a unique forum for scientists, clinicians, breast cancer survivors (called consumer advocates within the BCRP), and the public to come together and discuss the latest findings in breast cancer research and future directions to eradicate this disease.

The 2011 Era of Hope meeting featured nearly 1,200 abstracts focusing on the BCRP’s breakthroughs in the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer. The most current topics in the breast cancer community were discussed at the meeting, including disease risk and recurrence, metastasis, stem cells, novel therapies, improved imaging, vaccines, and health disparities.

Breast cancer advocate and Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) staff member, Cathy Holloway, was one of over 275 consumer advocates attending this meeting. She was invited to attend the Era of Hope meeting as a result of her prior participation as a consumer reviewer of research applications submitted to the DoD BCRP. By attending this meeting, Holloway had an opportunity to learn about the most recent gains in breast cancer research and can now share this information with her community. Holloway is the Director of Education & Survivorship at the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition where she runs the Peer Mentor Support Program and Clinical Trials Initiative along with other education and support programs for breast cancer survivors.

Some examples of the research reported at the meeting include:

Thermally targeted delivery of peptide therapeutics
Therapeutic eradication of DCIS progenitor cells
Discovery of new genetic markers for patients at high risk for bone metastasis
Genetic susceptibility for breast cancer in women of African Ancestry
Dietary consumption during pregnancy and breast cancer risk reductions
Development of vaccines to prevent recurrence

Since its inception in 1992, the DoD BCRP has become the second largest source of breast cancer research funding in the United States and has received over $2.68 billion in congressional appropriations, resulting in more than 10,000 unique awards that fulfill unmet needs in breast cancer research. Unlike other cancer research funding organizations, the BCRP is a pioneer in the inclusion of consumer advocates in every aspect of the research process. Since the program’s inception, more than 750 survivors have participated in the program, including setting the program’s vision, participating in the review of proposals, making funding recommendations, and aiding in the research process.

Through this approach of combined involvement, the BCRP enhances partnerships between the survivor community and scientists. The survivor’s unique perspective brings a sense of urgency to the program, ensuring the BCRP remains focused on its ultimate goal of eradicating breast cancer.

More information about the DoD BCRP is available at http://cdmrp.army.mil.

Wilmington University Athletic Deptartment goes PINK!

2011-08-18T11:56:00.032-04:00

WilmU Women's Soccer Team with their opponents at 2010 Breast Cancer Awareness Game

Joshua Ruggiero, Wilmington University Head Women’s Soccer Coach, wanted to use sports as a platform to help others and he knew the girls on the team would be up for the challenge—the challenge being to raise awareness of breast cancer on the field.

The Wilmington University Women’s and Men’s Soccer teams designated one of their normal season games as a “Breast Cancer Awareness Game.” The Athletics Department purchased custom pink uniforms and a pink soccer ball for the games. “With the uniforms, there is no doubt about what we’re out there for,” Josh said. The team members handed pink ribbons to spectators who made donations. Even the referees sported pink ribbons for the cause. “The opposing teams are always interested in taking part in the special night. Last year the girls on the other team wore pink ribbons in their hair and on their shoes to show their support.”

Wilm U Softball Team 2011

The women’s and men’s soccer teams started the “Breast Cancer Awareness Game” tradition and now other Wilmington University teams have joined in, including Women’s Lacrosse, Women’s Softball, and Women’s and Men’s Basketball. All of the teams have custom pink uniforms that they wear for their respective “Breast Cancer Awareness Games.”

When asked why DBCC was chosen, Josh said, “We wanted to help a local organization and know that whatever funds we could raise would help the local community and have an impact immediately.” Josh explains that he is very fortunate because he has a lot of support from the campus community, the administration, the families, the players, the conference, and even other states. “We have girls from Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and more so they go back to their home states and raise funds to be used in Delaware,” Josh explains.

“I wanted to give the girls a way to get involved and affect their lives in a positive way and it has been extremely rewarding. I look forward to it and the small steps we have taken to impact a lot of people.” Wilmington University Athletics has made a big impact on DBCC—raising over $7,100!

Wilm U Women's Basketball Team 2010-11

The Wilmington University Women’s Soccer team had quite the season to remember last year going undefeated in their conference. “We had an amazing season last year and supporting DBCC and the fight against breast cancer is just the icing on the cake,” Josh said.

DBCC is thankful for the support of Wilmington University Athletics and the awareness and funds they raise. “And we are thankful for the support from DBCC. They have been great with a million times the support. And they didn’t bat at eye about what athletics can do for the cause,” Josh said.

This year's "Breast Cancer Awareness Game" for soccer will be held on Saturday, October 8 at Caravel Academy in Bear. The Women's team will play at 5:30 pm vs. Concordia College and the Men's team will play at 7:30 vs. Concordia College. Please come out and show your support!

All photos courtesy of Wilmington University Athletics Department.

The Starboard Owner, Steve Montgomery, Honors His Mother's Commitment to Breast Cancer Education

2011-08-18T11:51:00.024-04:00

Steve “Monty” Montgomery, owner of the Starboard Restaurant & Bar in Dewey Beach, is a man that takes breast cancer seriously. As the father of two young girls, ages one and four, and the son of a 25-year breast cancer survivor, he knows how the disease can affect someone’s life. Steve’s mother, Barbara Montgomery, passed away 6 months ago and he is trying to continue his mother’s work—being an advocate for breast cancer.

Steve and his wife with his mother, Barbara, and father.

“My mother was a big supporter of breast cancer research,” Steve said. “She enjoyed learning about new treatments and advances. She took a lot of pride in keeping up with new research."

Steve’s mother was also passionate about raising money for breast cancer research. Steve has taken it upon himself to continue her good work by holding fundraisers for breast cancer organizations. This year’s 21st Annual Starboard Golf Extravaganza was held on May 9. The tournament raised $3500 for DBCC’s programs and services! To see photos of the golf tournament, click here.

Steve Montgomery (right) with DBCC's Priscilla Rakestraw at the Golf Extravaganza.

“So many of our customers are affected by the disease so it’s a perfect place to raise awareness and money for the cause,” Steve said. He explains that many of his customers say “thank you” when they hear of the Starboard’s fundraising efforts for breast cancer. And the Starboard Golf Extravaganza is not your average golf tournament—the staff at Starboard makes this event a blast. “We show people that fundraising doesn’t have to be boring and we can have fun while raising money for a good cause.”

Courtesy of TheStarboard.com

Steve and his team will be making fundraising fun once again on Saturday, October 8 with the Starboard’s First Annual Dewey Does Pink 5K – The ‘Gugie’ Run. The event is in memory of Steve’s mother, Barbara, who was affectionately given the nickname “Gugie.” The 5K will start at 12 noon at the Starboard and all proceeds will benefit DBCC. And like all Starboard fundraisers, this is not your average 5K Race. They will be doing everything they can to paint Dewey Beach pink and will have a post-race party with music, refreshments, and a pig roast BBQ. For more information and to register, click here.

“Breast cancer is a nasty disease that affects everybody—their wives, girlfriends, sisters, moms, and other loved ones. Sooner or later, it’s going to affect you so it’s important for people to help out now and not ignore the disease.”

DBCC and CAMP Rehoboth: A Partnership for Women's Health

2011-08-17T18:12:00.003-04:00

Kathy Wiz had an idea to bring breast cancer awareness to the forefront at CAMP Rehoboth, a gay and lesbian community service organization in Rehoboth Beach where she volunteers. Her sister, Anne Marie, had just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and Kathy knew she needed to do something to honor her sister and educate others. “I wanted to do something in October but we didn’t have enough time to plan and then we thought about doing an event during CAMP Rehoboth’s Annual Women’s Fest Weekend and we thought, ‘that’s perfect!’”

DBCC Volunteers Peggy Dever and Sue Ryan (left) with DBCC Program Manager Connie Holdridge and CAMP Rehoboth Volunteer Kathy Wiz (right).

On April 10, during Women’s Fest 2011, CAMP Rehoboth hosted the Inaugural “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk,” a non-competitive walk down the Rehoboth Beach boardwalk to bring about awareness of breast cancer and raise funds for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. “I don’t know how ‘Broadwalk’ came about but it just happened. And I asked a few people if they felt it was offensive and everyone loved it.” Loved it, they certainly did! Hundreds gathered at CAMP to walk down the boardwalk with pink boas, t-shirts and other accessories. “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk was one of the most enjoyable and colorful events of the year,” said DBCC Development Director Priscilla Rakestraw. “The community was very welcoming and generously participated in the fight against breast cancer.” To see additional photos from the event, click here.

Kathy explains the purpose behind the “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk” was “to get women together because they need education and resources and also to honor those that traveled their breast cancer journey.” Many walk participants made t-shirts in honor or memory of those impacted by the disease.

The walk was unique in that there was no registration fee or minimum donation amount. “I wanted to make sure anyone and everyone who wanted to support the cause could do just that,” Kathy said. Donations totaled more than $6,000 for DBCC. “We were just overwhelmed with generosity,” she added.

“The walk was to honor and cherish my sister, who struggled courageously and, to-date, successfully. She is my inspiration and my hero.” Kathy explains that DBCC was also instrumental in providing the education and resources. There was a DBCC information table with brochures and materials.

However, the “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk” isn’t the first time that DBCC and CAMP Rehoboth have partnered up. The two have been focusing on health issues together for years. Sal Seeley, CAMPSafe Program Director at CAMP Rehoboth, explains the partnership between DBCC and CAMP Rehoboth is a great one. “DBCC has resources that CAMP doesn’t have and right now, resources are limited so partnerships are important,” Sal said.

Sal explained that breast cancer is an important issue for the CAMP community: “From a sexual minority standpoint, lesbians are at a higher risk for breast, ovarian and cervical cancers.” He explained that he believes there are 4 major reasons for this:

Health care providers are not talking about prevention because they might feel uncomfortable or not know how to approach the subject;

Homosexual couples do not have the same shared health benefits that married couples do;

Lesbians don’t get as many exams because they might not feel that they are at-risk or do not go to the gynecologist as often; and

Lesbian women are less likely to have children, which has been noted as a potential risk factor for breast cancer.

Sal explained that since Rehoboth Beach is a resort community, it is important to educate those women who move here and don’t know what resources are available to them. “We’ve received a lot of good feedback especially those that are concerned with health issues,” he said.

At a Breast Health Presentation at Women's Fest

“The Rehoboth Beach community and LGBTQ community are generally very active and supportive of causes, especially health issues and receiving quality care,” Sal said. “And DBCC is great because they are very open to other communities.”

The partnership between DBCC and CAMP is continually growing. In the past years, DBCC has provided information to be available at CAMP, especially during breast cancer awareness month. This past year DBCC gave breast health presentations and held breakout sessions during Women’s Fest. On September 10, 2011, DBCC will be attending CAMP’s Health Day with breast cancer information and Beebe will be on-site with screenings. DBCC Program Manager Connie Holdridge has played a big role in the partnership with CAMP. “We’re so thrilled to be able to partner with CAMP Rehoboth on these important women’s issues. It really is a wonderful partnership that brings together two organizations that have a focus on health,” she said.

“The health initiative at CAMP is great and I’m really excited about the potential of what this means for DBCC and CAMP,” Sal said.

Special Thanks to the “Broadwalk on the Boardwalk”

Committee Members
Debbie Cutler
Kathy Davison
Cheryl Doucette
Karen Gustafson
Jenn Harpel
Muriel Hogan
Connie Holdridge
Joanne Kempton
Kathy Wiz

Volunteer Spotlight: Brenda Blue

2011-08-17T17:42:00.001-04:00

Read Brenda's Story

Brenda Blue of New Castle, DE is a DBCC volunteer and trained peer mentor

Three years ago, Brenda Blue having just had breast reduction surgery, received some surprising news – she had breast cancer in both her breasts. “I was shocked,” Brenda said. “It’s one thing when you hear about it but it’s a whole new story when it’s you.” With a diagnosis of Stage 0 Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) breast cancer, she had a bilateral mastectomy.

Brenda (left) with her mother and son

Diagnosis and treatment was emotionally difficult for Brenda although she is grateful for the strong support system provided by family and friends. “I had support but most times, I just didn’t want people around since I was dealing with so many emotions.”

However, when she met other survivors without the same support system, she knew she wanted to do something for them. “I just knew I needed to be more involved,” she said. Brenda participated in several walks for breast cancer and each time would wear the name of someone she was walking in honor of or in memory of on the back of her shirt. When she signed up for one breast cancer walk, she came across the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s website. After browsing DBCC’s site, she called to sign up to be a volunteer and then later, a trained peer mentor.

“When you are first diagnosed, you don’t know what to expect...Being a peer mentor is one of the most rewarding things I’ve done in a long time.”

A memorable moment soon after Brenda’s journey was the surprising coincidence that her neighbor was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I remember being at the store when my neighbor called me in hysterics,” she said. “When I got to her house she was standing at her kitchen sink crying because her hair was starting to fall out. I didn’t have chemotherapy as part of my treatment so I didn’t know how to react. But I realized then that I could be a support system for her. I made her smile and made her feel good about herself. I was able to give her hope.” Brenda’s neighbor is now also a Peer Mentor and Volunteer for DBCC.

“Being a breast cancer advocate has been rewarding because I love helping people and giving back,” Brenda said. “DBCC has been great because they have such great programs where you can talk with other survivors.” Brenda currently has two mentees who are beginning their breast cancer journey.

For more information about the Peer Mentor Support Program, click here. For more information about volunteering, please click here. DBCC holds Peer Mentor Trainings and Volunteer Trainings in each county multiple times a year.Check the calendar for the next one near you!

DBCC welcomes seven new board members

2011-08-15T13:29:00.001-04:00

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) is pleased to announce that seven new members have joined its Board of Trustees. These new members are serving their first three-year term that began in June 2011 and will continue until June 2014. DBCC’s Board of Trustees consists of 26 members, 4 Trustees Emeritus, and 8 Advisory Board members.

Joining the DBCC Board of Trustees are: Gary Custis, Operations and Project Executive for AstraZeneca; Clara Higgins, DO, General Surgeon in private practice associated with Beebe Medical Center; Amy Norgate, General Manager of Tanger Factory Outlets in Rehoboth; Shalini Sawhney, Community Volunteer in the Dover area; W. Laird Stabler III, Esq., lawyer and President of Laird Stabler & Associates LLC; Jon Strasser, MD, Attending Physician at Christiana Care Health System and Radiation Oncologists PA; and Joseph L. Yacyshyn, Manager of Community Affairs at M&T Bank.

The DBCC Executive Committee would like to welcome those who have started their first term in leadership roles: Linda Powell, Director of Special Projects at the E.I. DuPont Company, as Board President; Patricia Key, CEO of Harrington Raceway, as Board 1st Vice President; and Nancy Froome, Vice President of SSD Technology Partners, Inc., as Board Treasurer. They join Executive Committee members Stacey Bacchieri, Greenville Giving Group, Board 2nd Vice President; and Chen Wang, Esq., Corporate Counsel & IP Leader at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Board Secretary.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition Board of Trustees meets quarterly to provide the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition with fiscal and operational guidance.

Photos of New Board Members


New Board Members: (top row left to right) Gary Custis; Clara Higgins, DO; Amy Norgate; Shalini Sawhney. (Bottom row left to right) W. Laird Stabler III, Esq.; John Strasser, MD; Joseph L. Yacyshyn.

List of all DBCC Board Members

Officers: Linda Powell, President; Patricia Key, 1st Vice President; Stacey Bacchieri, 2nd Vice President; Nancy Froome, Treasurer; and Chen Wang, Esq., Secretary.

Board Members: Nancy F. Blumberg, CPA/PFS, CFP; Susan Chinnici; Kathrina Chua, MD; Gary Custis; John E.B. du Pont; Tina Hayward; Clara Higgins, DO; Nanci Mayer-Mihalski; Jeanne Mell; Jacqueline Napoletano, MD; Wendy Newell, MD, FACS; Amy Norgate; Ciro Poppiti III, Esq.; Shalini Sawhney; Lisbeth L. Selsor; Maureen Sierocinski; W. Laird Stabler III, Esq.; John Strasser, MD; Okemah Strickland; Dennis R. Witmer, MD, FACS; and Joseph L. Yachyshyn.

Trustee Emeritae: Marsha Barnett; Rena Howard; Maureen Lauterbach; and Wilma Yu, RN, BSN, MS, CEN.

Advisory Board Members: The Hon. Patricia Blevins; Martha S. Carper; The Hon. Catherine Cloutier; Diana Dickson-Witmer, MD, FACS; The Hon. Bethany Hall-Long; The Hon. Margaret Rose Henry; Jonathan Saunders, MD; and The Hon. Liane Sorenson.

For more information about Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, its Board of Trustees, and programs, call (302) 778-1102 or visit debreastcancer.org.

How NBCC will Change the Conversation about Breast Cancer

2011-05-24T16:25:00.003-04:00

By Caitlin Dalik, DBCC Public Affairs Coordinator

If you’ve been following the news about breast cancer in the media, you probably think that we’ve made some major progress in fighting the disease. However, you may be surprised to find out that the mortality rate from breast cancer has only decreased 5% since 1975. Shocked? So was I.

Courtesy of NBCC.

To work toward changing this statistic, the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) has set a deadline to end breast cancer by January 1, 2020. Skeptical? Keep reading.

At NBCC’s Annual Advocacy Training Conference, the sentiments that breast cancer survivors and advocates shared were similar: that they’re tired of pink and the word hope. Many fear that the sale of pink products is just marketing breast cancer and not getting us any closer to a cure. That’s why NBCC wants to change the conversation from “pink and hope” to Breast Cancer Deadline 2020 (Click here for information from NBCC about the Deadline). The pink products have definitely served their purpose—providing awareness of the disease and making “cancer” a word that no longer is whispered—but like NBCC President Fran Visco said, “We want to put ourselves out of business.” We all want to see an end to breast cancer and it’s definitely possible. As Fran Visco said to an audience of over 800 women and men at the conference, we cured polio in 7 years and “we didn’t get to the moon on hope.” She’s got a point.

NBCC isn’t just setting a deadline for attention; they have a detailed strategic plan to achieve their goal (Click here to read the executive summary). The conference started to change the conversation about breast cancer by bringing in professionals of various fields (from physicists to journalists) to talk about how they think we can change the status quo. The ideas ranged from creating a preventative vaccine to finding a way to stop metastasis to looking more closely at environmental factors. However, NBCC doesn’t just want to change the conversation in the science community but also in the media, on Capitol Hill, in local communities, and more. And that’s where everyone can come in and help put an end to breast cancer. So if you’re asking, “How can I help NBCC end breast cancer by January 1, 2020?”—here is a list to give you some ideas.

Be an educated advocate. Having information at hand to share with others is your best tool to implement change. There are lots of resources on NBCC’s website that can help you become informed about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020. You can start by clicking here.
Visit or call your senators and representatives and encourage them to support NBCC’s legislative efforts. For a list of the legislative priorities, click here.
Spread the word about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020 with friends, family, co-workers and your doctors. Let them know that NBCC is working to end breast cancer and give them some information about how they will do it. Let them know how NBCC differs from other breast cancer organizations and how they are the only one that has set a deadline to end breast cancer (Click here for information from NBCC on how to change the conversation including scenarios).
Spread the message to you social network! You can write a blog, post links on Facebook or tweet about the deadline (You can also stay up-to-date on what NBCC is doing by "liking" their Facebook and following them on Twitter) You can also contact your legislators this way by tweeting at them or posting on their Facebook wall.

We all need to be prepared and educated to make this deadline a reality. By being educated advocates, we can help NBCC change the conversation and end breast cancer. I encourage you to take action today.

Watch this video from NBCC about Breast Cancer Deadline 2020.

More resources:

The NBCC Baseline Report that gives an overview of the state of breast cancer right now.
How to talk to friends and family about breast cancer? from NBCC
Watch other videos on NBCC's YouTube Channel

Promising Lines of Research Discussed at NBCC Annual Advocacy Conference

2011-05-24T15:14:00.001-04:00

By Chelsea Michael, DBCC Outreach & Education Coordinator

Although one of the main topics at the NBCC Annual Advocacy Conference was how to make faster and more meaningful progress in breast cancer research, a few recent research trends also created some buzz during the sessions.

Breast cancer cells stained visualize different cell parts.

Receptors are stained bright green. Depending

on the number and type of receptors (ER, PR or HER2)

on the cancer cells, scientists can categorize the tumor

and use targeted drugsto treat the cell.

Photo Credit: Carolin Zehetmeier (posted under GE

Healthcare’s photostream on Flickr.com)

Can targeting the surrounding tissues prevent tumors from thriving?

Traditionally, most research looks at how to target and treat cancer cells themselves. However, some recent and current projects are looking at preventing new tumors and/or tumor growth by changing the cells and tissues surrounding the cancer cells.

Metformin

Researchers found that administering Metformin, a drug currently used to control type 2 diabetes, along with chemotherapy improved breast cancer treatment in mice. Another group of researchers also noticed reduced breast cancer occurrence in a very small group of women taking Metformin to control type 2 diabetes. However, both studies are limited and it is too early to determine how Metformin will impact cancer in non-diabetic individuals.
Multiple studies are underway to examine potential ways to use Metformin in breast cancer treatment.

Reducing Inflammation

Researchers are studying the impact of anti-inflammatory substances on cancer growth. Substances that have anti-inflammatory effects, such as aspirin and other NSAIDs, as well as vitamin D are under investigation to see if they impact tumor growth.
Although a link between physical activity and reducing breast cancer has been strongly established, how exactly it helps reduce the risk is still under investigation. Some conference speakers suggested that part of protective effect of exercise may come from inflammation reduction.

What can we learn from breast fluids and breast milk?
Breast fluids and breast milk can provide cell samples, as well as an indication of levels of other substances, such as hormones, in the breast.

In the “Breast Cancer is Not One Disease” workshop, Susan Love, MD, MBA (The Dr. Susan Love Foundation) referred the BEAM Study, a new study examining if breast fluid (not breast milk) can contain clues to better predict a woman’s risk for breast cancer.
If the BEAM Study identifies substances linked to breast cancer, Dr. Love also suggested a simple, low-cost fluid test that could be implemented to find high-risk women.
Sound interesting? Learn more and even see if you qualify to participate in the BEAM Study’s Baltimore trials at Johns Hopkins!
The Love/Avon Army of Women is also involved in a similar study examining breast milk in lactating mothers.

How can we keep tumor cells dormant?
Researchers traditionally looked for drugs that would shrink tumors; however preventing tumors would be better than treating existing tumors.

Patricia Steeg, PhD (National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health) discussed the preliminary findings of a study in which a drug prevented metastasized cancer cells from proliferating, or producing more cells, in mice. When metastasized cancer cells divide to make more cells, they can form new tumors. (Steeg also discovered a gene involved in metastasis and has conducted a similar previous study using a different drug.)
Although the drugs may not have the same effect in humans, it represents a new approach to treating cancer.
Furthermore, Steeg’s work shows the need to adapt the current clinical trials process. The current process selects for drugs that shrink tumors. However, the drugs under investigation would not progress in the current trial sequence because, although they may prevent new tumors, they do not diminish the size of established tumors.

How would other types of scientist approach cancer?
Engineers and physical scientists approach problems in a different way than the biological researchers tackle the same problems.

Paul Davies, PhD (Arizona State University) explained that tumor cells in the blood or lymph system could be approached as physical objects moving through a fluid.
He also suggested an evolutionary approach to cancer, comparing tumors to primitive (and now extinct) precursors to more complex and evolved organisms.
The National Cancer Institute funds Davies through the Center for Convergence of Physical Science and Cancer Biology at Arizona State University and similar work at 11 additional Physical Sciences-Oncology Centers around the United States.

NBCC Plans to Overcome Obstacles in the Research Process

2011-05-24T14:44:00.003-04:00

By Chelsea Michael, DBCC Education & Outreach Coordinator

Throughout the NBCC Annual Advocacy Conference, speakers identified various obstacles and challenges in science that are especially relevant for breast cancer research. They also suggested tactics to overcome these barriers to propel the field forward. Some of the major challenges are related to translating new findings, career progression in academic settings and how information is shared between scientists.

Discoveries of new genes linked to
cancer must be translated into clinical
applications before they can help
patients. Photo Credit: ynse on flickr.com

Translation
When researchers make a promising discovery in the lab, the new discovery must undergo the process of translation so that it can be applied to humans in a clinical setting.

For example, when researchers working on the cellular level saw that some cancer cells had a bunch of special receptors, they discovered HER2+ tumors. Pharmaceutical researchers then began to translate the HER2 discovery and created Herceptin, a drug that would target HER2+ tumors by binding to its special receptors. The discovery of HER2+ tumors did not help a single patient until it was translated into a new treatment.

Speakers suggested the following strategies to improve translation, and hence improve patient outcomes:

We need to strive for faster and more efficient translation.
Basic scientists (who make the original discoveries) need keep translation in mind when designing their studies.
Society often celebrates new discoveries, even if they can’t be translated; we should be more modest in heralding new findings until they are translated.
Locally, The Center for Translational Cancer Research (part of the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance) strives to improve research translation.

Innovation and Academia
Many speakers felt that the current way researchers establish their career in academia stifles innovation by restricting creative and new, but risky, approaches to research.

New scientists have to fit their research into an established lab’s work until they complete their post-doctoral fellowships. Once they begin their own lab, they usually focus on work that is more likely to lead to publication so they can earn tenure. By the time they can take on riskier projects, their careers are established in more conventional lines.

NBCC has been encouraging innovative research through the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and its idea grants. The funding goes toward unconventional, but promising research. NBCC also encourages advocates to talk to scientists, especially young scientists about how we can all work together to defeat breast cancer.

Sharing New Information
As mentioned above, only some research is publishable. Typically only work that leads to a new discovery or advancement is published. When it is published, the data are summarized and polished into a nice, neat package. Three problems arise from this process:

Negative and null results are devalued. Experiments that do not lead to new findings, or when their variables do not seem to impact a process, are usually considered failures, even if we can still learn from them.
Research that dead-ends is not shared. Therefore if an experiment finds that a variable has no effect in one lab, a year or two later, another lab might repeat a very similar study. The second lab could not build upon the first lab’s work to design a different and new experiment.
Most researchers do not share raw, uninterpreted data and only really show their work to the community once it is complete. Researchers convert and analyze the data, then write an article for publication, wait for article review and revise the article before the article published in a journal and the public can read it. The process slows down sharing information, as well as only lets us see the data from the researcher’s perspective.

NBCC is pushing for open notebook science to share more research findings and to share it more quickly.

The open notebook movement encourages scientists to post their raw data and information about their on-going projects on-line. Just as we can learn about long-lost friends’ families, jobs and lives on Facebook, open notebook science allows researchers to easily access what other laboratories choose to share about their on-going and un-published projects.

Breast cancer survivors share why they're walking in the Second Annual DE-feet Breast Cancer 5K

2011-05-18T13:15:00.004-04:00

Breast cancer survivors Peggie Ball of Selbyville and Selena Fry of Milford will be among hundreds gathered at the Tanger Outlets on Sunday, May 22 for the Second Annual DE-feet Breast Cancer 5K. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s programs and services.

Ball explains that she signed up because she knows that walks are a great fundraiser and bring about awareness. “This walk is close to my heart because I have been cancer-free for 1 year and 8 months and during that time I have had three close friends receive the ‘C’ diagnosis.”

Here's the "sea of pink" that Peggie is talking about. Join us!

Fry walked at last year’s DE-feet Breast Cancer 5K with her husband and signed up again because she is a walking enthusiast. She credits her love of walking with helping her through her breast cancer treatment. “I really think that because of my physical activity, my recovery from treatments went more smoothly.” Fry said that when she received her breast cancer diagnosis, she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to walk regularly but breast cancer didn’t stop her. Fry continues to try to walk 3 to 4 miles a day and says that it makes her energetic and happy.

Ball knows that the money raised can help us find a cure. “It’s not easy living everyday with the fear that cancer can strike again. To help alleviate that fear, any funds raised can only help,” she says. Fry agrees that this walk is important to survivors. “This walk has a special meaning to me and I walk proudly with other breast cancer survivors,” she says. “Most everyone has been affected by breast cancer in some way or another. I think anyone would benefit from participating in this walk, if for no other reason but to see that there is life after a breast cancer diagnosis.”

“When you see that sea of pink at Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth Beach, that right there is increasing awareness,” Ball says. “Come out and join our sea of pink!”

Event Details
The DE-feet Breast Cancer Run/Walk will include a timed 5K Run, an untimed 5K Walk, and a 1-Mile Fun Walk. The run/walk begins at 9 am with registration beginning at 7:30 am at the Tanger Outlet’s Seaside Location in the Applebee’s parking lot. Participants can register on-site on the day of the event. For more information about the DE-feet Breast Cancer Run/Walk, please visit www.defeetbreastcancerwalk.org.

Breast Cancer Survivors Say, “What Can I Do?”

2011-04-25T13:16:00.000-04:00

Karen Collins, RD, the keynote speaker at the 14th Annual Breast Cancer Update, highlighted the conference in her American Institute for Cancer Research blog post this week.

"I just got back from Delaware where I gave the keynote at the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Annual Breast Cancer Update, a conference attended by cancer survivors, health care professionals and others interested in breast cancer prevention. With so many ideas out there on how to make a positive difference for survivors – from dietary changes and exercise to supplements – it’s hard to know which steps are most likely to help (and which can possibly cause harm).

One of the physicians participating in a panel discussion noted that we need to look at both “the seeds and the soil”. That is, look at treatments that target any remaining cells that could be “seeds” for cancer recurrence, and also focus on how we can create “soil” – meaning an environment within our body – that does not support cancer cell growth.

Although weight gain and decreases in physical activity are common among breast cancer survivors, part of my presentation at the conference included studies showing that efforts to stop the gain and find ways to work in physical activity daily seem to deserve spots high on the priority list.
Moderate physical activity alone, without changes in diet, usually leads to only modest and slow weight loss. Conference participants were buzzing when they saw data showing that physical activity seems to have important protective effects quite soon, even without weight loss."

Read the rest of the post here: Breast Cancer Survivors Say, “What Can I Do?”

You can read more of Karen's blog and posts from other AICR folks at http://blog.aicr.org/ or follow Karen on Twitter @KarenCollinsRD.

DBCC receives Executive Director's Recognition Award from Delaware Academy of Medicine

2011-04-04T16:03:00.003-04:00

DBCC has been awarded the Delaware Academy of Medicine’s Executive Director’s Recognition. This award honors a nonprofit in our community that embodies the principles of education and the promotion of public health through collaborative programming. The award was presented to DBCC staff and board members on Friday, March 18 at the Delaware Academy of Medicine’s 81st Annual Meeting at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington. Last year the Executive Director’s Recognition was awarded to the Heart Truth Delaware Program.

DBCC Executive Director Vicky Cooke, DBCC Trustee Emeritae Maureen Lauterbach, DBCC Board Member Dennis R. Witmer, MD, FACS, and DBCC Director of Information Services Vicky Tosh-Morelli received the award that was presented by Delaware Academy of Medicine Executive Director Tim Gibbs.

DBCC staff and board members with the award

DBCC has developed and implemented unique programs not available from other cancer-related agencies, including targeted programs for young women with breast cancer, African American women, Latinas, women who partner with women, and women with disabilities. DBCC strives to improve access for all women and men to high-quality breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment as well as increase awareness of breast cancer and the influence of breast cancer survivors in research, clinical trials, and national policies.

DBCC serves all who live and work in Delaware with approximately 15,000 annual educational contacts, 250 volunteers and over 850 referrals for free or low-cost cancer screenings through our various programs and activities. DBCC offers the Peer Mentor Support program which provides those newly diagnosed with one-on-one support for a trained breast cancer survivor. DBCC also provides monthly “Beginning Your Breast Cancer Journey” classes at the four local cancer centers. DBCC partners with Delaware’s Division of Public Health and Beebe Medical Center to operate the Women’s Mobile Health Screening Van which provides screening mammograms to underserved communities.

For more information about DBCC’s programs and services, please visit DBCC's website or call 866-312-DBCC (3222).

DBCC expands Peer Mentor Support Program to Maryland's Cecil County

2011-04-04T15:42:00.009-04:00

DBCC is pleased to announce that through a new partnership with Union Hospital, the Peer Mentor Support Program has been expanded into Cecil County, Maryland. Union Hospital, which is located in Elkton, MD, invited volunteers to sign-up for the Peer Mentor training. The training was held on Tuesday, March 15 and trained 5 new peer mentors. DBCC Board Member Nanci Mayer-Mihalski and DBCC Program Director Cathy Holloway facilitated the four-hour training with the help of Beth Money, Union Hospital Research Coordinator.

Union Hospital Peer Mentor Training Participants

"The training made the survivors and staff very excited to help others," said Beth Money, RN, BSN, OCN. Debra Jarrell, RN, from Community Hospice served a fantastic dinner to thank all of the survivors who participated in the Peer Mentor training.

These newly trained peer mentors will be available to provide one-on-one support to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer who live in the Cecil County area and those being treated at Union Hospital. A second Peer Mentor training will be held at Union Hospital on September 13, 2011. For a complete listing of Peer Mentor trainings held throughout the state, please click here.

DBCC’s Peer Mentor Support Program is a state-wide program that matches newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with trained breast cancer survivors who had a similar experience and journey. For more information about the Peer Mentor Support Program, please click here.

Photo courtesy of Beth Money of Union Hospital.

DBCC reaches out to the Latina community

2011-04-04T15:06:00.026-04:00

DBCC Staff and Volunteers at VIDA!

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is committed to sharing information about breast cancer treatment, prevention, survivorship and education to every community in Delaware. Recently, DBCC has focused on engaging the Latina community in western Sussex County to share the message of breast health. On Saturday, March 19, DBCC hosted VIDA!, a Latina Breast Health Forum held at the Georgetown Fire Hall that attracted over 250 members of the Latina community. This free, bilingual event educated participants about breast cancer screenings, treatment and survivorship. VIDA! was funded in part by a grant from the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Participants heard from Dr. Francisco Rodriguez of Atlantic Surgical Associates who dispelled some of the most common myths about breast cancer, and from Yolanda Alvarez and Elsa Rodriguez-Trejo, both breast cancer survivors, who spoke about their own personal journeys with breast cancer and their survivorship.

VIDA! participants at the Georgetown Fire Hall

The Women’s Mobile Health Screening (WMHS) Van was on-site and provided screening mammograms. Participants were also able to have clinical breast exams along with free cholesterol, skin cancer, diabetes and blood pressure screenings provided by Beebe Medical Center.


Jonathan and Diana of Maxima Radio with Stephanie and Ana of Que Bien

The event was well attended by members of the media. Two Spanish radio stations, La Exitosa 930 AM and Maxima 900 AM, broadcasted live from the event. WBOC and WMDT television stations filmed and aired the segment on the 11 pm news. Que Bien also filmed for its online and cable television show. Click here to watch the Que Bien broadcast. A Hoy en Delaware reporter was also at the event interviewing participants.

“Our first annual VIDA! event was a huge success,” said Cheryl Doucette, DBCC Program Manager in the Lewes Office. “The involvement from the area hospitals and health related vendors was key in making this a worthwhile event for the Latina community. Participants were able to gather useful and very important health related information.”

In addition to the VIDA! Latina Breast Health Forum, DBCC also has a volunteer training planned for April 12 that will be presented entirely in Spanish. Entitled “Salud y Vida”, the training will be held on Tuesday, April 12 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm at the Georgetown Fire Hall. For more information, click here.

“We need your help in sharing the important message of breast health to Latina women in Western Sussex County,” says Doucette. “Please consider letting us show you on all the ways that you can help DBCC make a difference in the lives of your family and friends.”

To get involved with Latina outreach in Western Sussex County, please call Cheryl Doucette at 302-644-6844 or Sunny Villafañe at 302-672-6435.

Volunteer Spotlight: Merry Jones

2011-04-04T11:48:00.006-04:00

Read a Q& A with DBCC Volunteer and Peer Mentor

Merry Jones of Dover

Merry Jones at a DBCC table at the Pink Heart Horse Show

How did you find out about DBCC?
Prior to my diagnosis, I read a wonderful human interest story in the Dover Post regarding Lois Wilkinson’s breast cancer journey and how that prompted her to eventually go to work for DBCC. I never once considered the possibility that I might someday need DBCC’s support. Once diagnosed with breast cancer, Lois’ name came up while I was networking with hospital personnel I knew and the rest is history.

What is your involvement with DBCC?

Really, pretty much anything I am able to do when a “call for help” comes out - from mailings, preparations for conferences, manning a table at health fairs, special fundraisers, as well as the major fundraisers like Bayhealth“Go Pink” Day and Southern Lights of Life. I have gone through both the peer mentor and volunteer training, and have mentored one woman. On the taking side, I thoroughly enjoy Nurture with Nature outings, and other social/educational programs offered by DBCC throughout the year. I have participated in the Rotary Walk, the Monster Mile Walk, and the DBCC DE-feet Breast Cancer 5K at the Tanger Outlets.

What made you decide to become a volunteer and peer mentor for DBCC?

Everyone I’ve met is so incredibly supportive and dedicated to DBCC’s mission. I wanted to give back, and hopefully, pay forward the help I was given.

What is a memorable moment you have had being a DBCC volunteer and/or peer mentor?

Two things come to mind. When working in the office with other survivor volunteers and in listening to each others stories, comparing experiences, laughing, and yes, sometimes tearing, the realization is brought home that we truly understand, can and do support each other, and that there is a good life after breast cancer.

On a not so happy note, I recall while manning an information table at the Milford Riverwalk Festival, how too many people passed by without interest, or purposefully looked away when they passed by, quite possibly in fear or denial of any need to know. I probably would have been that person years ago. Fear can be paralyzing; Knowledge, faith and hope are empowering. That is why DBCC is such a needed and important organization.

What was your experience as a model in this year’s Southern Lights of Life?

Merry Jones modeling at 2011 SLOL

I was definitely out of my comfort zone. I don’t wear makeup other than lipstick and seldom have ever “dressed up.” Those who know my cancer story know that I hadn’t had my hair cut in 40+ years before donating 14 inches to Locks of Love, just prior to losing it. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the evening and felt special. Sharing the spotlight with my survivor friends was a most wonderful and memorable experience.

Anything else you would like to add about DBCC or yourself?

I’m a mother of three daughters and two step-daughters. I am a retired speech pathologist. I am co-program director, bowling and tennis coach for the Kent Crusaders, my daughter’s Special Olympics team in the Dover area, and I serve on the board of directors of the Arc of Delaware, an organization that raises funds, advocates, and provides supports for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I enjoy the outdoors, limited gardening, and traveling with friends and family.

Southern Lights of Life photo courtesy of Bev Michel Photography.

Medical News: How the Affordable Care Act will impact DBCC's mission

2011-04-04T11:02:00.009-04:00

Written by Chelsea Michael, DBCC Outreach & Education Coordinator

Wondering how the new health care changes will affect breast cancer survivors and breast health? Read about coverage, mammograms, and more.

More affordable insurance options for breast cancer survivors and other individuals

The Affordable Care Act limits insurance discrimination based on health condition. Insurance coverage cannot be canceled due to a new diagnosis of breast cancer or other illness, and, starting in 2014, coverage cannot be denied or made more expensive due to history of breast cancer or another condition. In the mean time, Delawareans rejected from individual plans can get benefits comparable to what federal employees receive at prices healthy people would pay through the federal Pre-existing Condition Plan. Click here for more information. State Medicaid programs are also expanding to cover childless adults earning up to 133% of the poverty line.

Full coverage for mammograms and other preventive services

Insurance, including federal plans, must cover the whole cost of regular mammograms (every 1-2 years) for women 40 and older. Women on new plans (or non-grandfathered plans) no longer need to pay a deductible, co-pay or co-insurance for regular breast screening, as recommended by federal guidelines, as long as they go to in-network mammography providers. Insurance companies must also pay the whole cost of other essential preventive health care services. Click here to learn more.

Many insurance companies already cover the cost of mammography screening without a deductible or co-pay, check with your provider to see if your screening is already covered. DBCC wants to make sure that ability to pay is not a barrier to screening for women in Delaware. We can link you with free or low-cost screenings programs throughout the state. Call 1-888-672-9647 for more information.

Advocates helping survivors and other individuals understand insurance

Breast cancer survivors and other individuals can contact Consumer Assistance Programs (CAPs) to help them better understand insurance options. CAPs can help individuals with complaints or appeals against insurance company decisions. In Delaware, The Department of Insurance is partnering with two non-profit organizations, the Latin American Community Center and First State Community Center, to form a CAP supported by federal funding. Click here for more information.

More resources

Watch DBCC’s website for upcoming health care reform and policy content. The National Breast Cancer Coalition Action Center reports on how the reform affects breast cancer survivors. For general information about health care reform from an independent organization check out the Kaiser Health Reform Gateway.

Color Yourself at Great Stuff

2011-04-04T10:37:00.004-04:00

Written by Pam Hague of Great Stuff

Now is the time to come in and check out the beautiful, colorful jackets, pants and dresses that will certainly put you in the mood for spring!

Do you need a new pair of shoes and maybe a handbag to match? Stop in anytime and the staff at Great Stuff can help you put together your "almost new" spring wardrobe.

In the meantime, we would love to offer some helpful tips as you are changing over your closets from winter to spring. Remember that colors can spice up your wardrobe!

Remember the color wheel?

If you never took an art class you probably remember the color wheel. The color wheel shows the relationships between colors considered to be primary, secondary and tertiary.
•   Primary colors are red, yellow and blue.
•   When you mix any two primary colors in equal measure, you obtain a secondary color.
•   A tertiary color is made by mixing one secondary with its adjacent primary color.

When talking about matching clothing colors there are two basic relationships:
•   Analogous colors are the ones sitting side-by-side on the color wheel and they usually work with one another. When matched the result is very nice as these colors are relatives and have little contrast. For example blue's analogous colors are green and purple, while red and green are orange's analogous colors. These colors work well in business attire.
•   Complementary colors are colors opposite to each other on the color wheel When matched they intensify each other and really make an outfit fun and playful. For example, purple is complementary to yellow, blue to orange, red to green, etc.

How to match colors

First things first. Black and white can be matched with any other color. Grey is considered neutral, and it also can be matched with any color.

Generally, it’s suggested not to wear more than three colors in the same outfit to maintain a coordinated look and avoid looking disheveled. Always remember that “less is more” and don’t be afraid to use the color wheel if you’re in doubt!

Some other helpful hints you can tuck away for future use are:

• An outfit should have only one dominant color.

• Use darker colors for the parts where you want to look thinner. (I think we all know this one!)

• At least two items of your clothing should be the same color to pull your outfit together.

• Brighter colors are better for the upper part of your body because they will light up your face.

Another very important thing to remember is to match the color of your clothes to your skin tone and hair color. That’s another discussion though, but don’t worry because the excellent staff at Great Stuff would love to help you pick out the best colors and styles for you! We look forward to seeing you soon!

Photos of some spring fashions at Great Stuff

Visit DBCC's Great Stuff Savvy Resale today! Click here for the website and more information on donations, volunteering, photos, events and more!

"Like" Great Stuff on Facebook.

Color wheel photo courtesy of beautyhill.com.

Medical News: New blood test to detect cancer

2011-01-31T14:34:00.006-05:00

Submitted by Vicky Tosh-Morelli, DBCC Director of Information Services

Recent news about a blood test to detect cancer created a lot of excitement on the evening news but the reality is clinical use of this test is still a ways off. Scientists have known for years that tumor cells can break off from a tumor and circulate through the blood. Research has long looked for tools to “capture” these cells and utilize them in understanding how cancers spread and how to improve patient care.

What is unique about this test is the ability to capture individual cancer cells and analyze them for certain characteristics that may lead to more targeted treatments. Clinical trials of the test are being used in patients with cancer to assess the effectiveness of treatment and can respond more quickly to changes in tumor cell counts than they can in MRI or CT scans.

Its use as a screening tool to identify cancer in people who are otherwise healthy is the biggest question to be answered. As Dr. Susan Love commented in the ABC News report,

“We all have some cancer cells in our bodies that are dormant and not really causing any problem. What we have to be careful of, with this new technique, is over treating the dormant cells that were never going to give us any problem in our attempt to get every cancer cell that we see.”

Some of these cancers will never harm us. So the question is: if you find them, how would you treat them? Would it make sense to treat a person with chemotherapy and radiation on the basis of a few circulating tumor cells?

Watch the video from ABC News...

Volunteer Spotlight: Elsa Rodriguez-Trejo

2011-01-28T16:15:00.004-05:00

Read a Q& A with DBCC Volunteer and Peer Mentor, Elsa Rodriguez-Trejo of Millsboro

How did you find out about DBCC?

Elsa (left) with her college friend Nilda from Argentina

I was a high school math teacher in Pennsylvania before I retired in June of 2008. My husband and I moved to Millsboro, DE, immediately, but it was not until October of that year that we joined social groups at our church. Through one of them, the Knights of Columbus, I met two special ladies, members of DBCC, who asked me if I was interested in becoming a mentor. One woman gave me the Lewes' office phone number, and [DBCC Program Manager] Cheryl Doucette invited me to participate in one of the Nurture with Nature programs. I enjoyed that trip immensely. It was great to be among so many breast cancer survivors with a positive attitude and ready to enjoy life. I attended the Peer Mentor training with Kelli Meoli and Cheryl, and a couple of weeks after that I became a mentor.

That's wonderful that you are a peer mentor. What made you decide to become one?

I was diagnosed in Pennsylvania on June 22, 2004, one day short of my 59^th birthday. What made my journey, not only easier, but deeply meaningful, was the love and support of the people in my life.

My husband, although very fearful, walked with me every step. We made treatment decisions together, and shared joys and sorrows. My five children came to help at the time of my surgery, one of my daughters from Texas. The two that lived closer took me to the chemotherapy treatments....and my friends!! So many of them had had breast cancer! Some I knew, some I did not, and all of them were a fountain of information and support! One of my friends shaved my head when I started to lose my hair. I don't know if I would have felt so well without her kindness and help.

Although chemotherapy was devastating, at the same time was the most blessed time in my life. I knew then and there that the support from my family and friends is essential. I gave it in Pennsylvania without belonging to any organization because four of my friends were diagnosed after I was. In Delaware, I do it through DBCC’s Peer Mentor Support program.

What is a memorable moment you have had being a mentor to someone else through their breast cancer journey?

The most memorable moment was three or four weeks ago at Nanticoke Cancer Center. I was called to meet a newly diagnosed patient that could not speak English. At the end of this meeting, my new mentee shared that it was the first time that she didn’t cry from the moment she entered the hospital until she left. She needed to know that someone understood her.

Anything else you would like to add about DBCC or yourself?

I am 65 now, a six and one-half year survivor and I live in the moment. It is God's love that has brought me this far and eventually will bring me home.

DBCC launches Clinical Trials Initiative

2011-01-28T15:51:00.012-05:00

Clinical Trial Peer Mentors from left to right: DBCC Board

Member Beth Selsor, Lorraine Gilson, Fa Field, and

DBCC Program Director Cathy Holloway.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) recently launched its Clinical Trials Initiative as a continuation of the state-wide Peer Mentor program that was started at DBCC in 2006. A Clinical Trial Peer Mentor Training Program was developed by Nanci Mayer-Mihalski, Chair of Research and Mentoring Committee and Board Member at DBCC, DBCC Program Director Cathy Holloway, and Kandie Dempsey, Director of Cancer Research at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center.

In September of 2010, DBCC was presented with the prestigious Community Excellence Service Award as part of Christiana Care’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center’s Annual Community Clinical Oncology Awards for its support of clinical trials in the community.

Clinical Trial Peer Mentors from left to right: Patti Rossi, DBCC

Program Manager Lois Wilkinson, and Gail Lanouette.

Just two months later, DBCC trained its first group of Clinical Trial Peer Mentors which includes six survivors representing all three Delaware counties. According to Cathy Holloway, the Clinical Trial Peer Mentor Training Program “is designed to dispel myths and misconceptions associated with research and clinical trials. The goal of the program is not to tell breast cancer patients to say ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to clinical trials but to educate them about clinical trials and give them more information so they can make informed decisions.” Clinical Trial Peer Mentors are survivors who have attended peer mentor training, have participated in clinical trials, and have completed the comprehensive, in-depth Clinical Trial Peer Mentor Training. As the program expands, DBCC hopes to have three to five Clinical Trial Peer Mentors trained in each county.

DBCC Board Member, Beth Selsor, attended the first Clinical Trial Peer Mentor training. Beth was a participant in two clinical trials during her breast cancer treatment. “I was fortunate to have good counseling and advice through my trials and wanted to be able to help other women after me. I want to be able to answer questions for them and be a good resource,” she said.

DBCC Program Manager Lois Wilkinson and Kelli Meoli.

Clinical Trial Peer Mentors assist patients with deciphering details and complex paperwork associated with clinical trials, answer questions about how patients are protected and any other questions those considering clinical trials have. Above all, they share their own clinical trial experience. “I think one of the most important things people need to know is that a clinical trial is real medicine,” Beth explained. “I know something I was worried about was that I’d be given a placebo, but this medicine is real and it is going to help them. Health care professionals are just trying to figure out what the best treatment for people is.”

Researchers and the medical community recognize the need for trained advocates and their support role to the clinical trials process. The Clinical Trials Initiative was started by DBCC to help increase patient awareness, understanding, and enrollment in clinical trials to advance breast cancer treatment and care.

For more information about DBCC and clinical trials, please click here. For more information about the Peer Mentor Support program, please click here.

Women's Mobile Health Screening Van Update

2011-01-28T09:48:00.003-05:00

The Women’s Mobile Health Screening (WMHS) Van, which provides screening mammograms for women of Delaware each year, is busy visiting communities throughout the state after its upgrade to digital mammography equipment. According to WMHS Program Manager Laura Nadel, the van has screened 502 Delaware women since the van returned to the road in July of 2010.

The Women's Mobile Health Screening Van

The WMHS Van was re-dedicated at Legislative Hall in Dover on October 4, 2010 and was attended by friends and volunteers of DBCC, legislators and members of the press. The dedication included a presentation about how the van was recently retrofitted with new digital Hologic Selenia mammography equipment. The dedication also featured a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours of the new digital equipment. To read the press release about the dedication from the Delaware Health and Social Services office, please click here.

The van has been traveling the state visiting community centers, churches, libraries, senior centers and businesses. Laura said that the WMHS Van recently visited the Korean Church in Hockessin, the Latina Conference in Wilmington, and Easter Seals in Georgetown to provide mammography screenings.

The van regularly visits pre-determined sites in the Wilmington, Newark, New Castle, Smyrna, Dover, Milford, Lewes, Georgetown, Seaford, and Frankford areas. “In addition, WMHS screening has formed some excellent partnerships with Claymont Family Health and the Westside Health facilities and provides mammography services to their clients every month,” Laura explained.
Read an article in the Delaware State News about the WMHS Van here.

Women’s Mobile Health Screening provides programs to reach out to underserved women who otherwise may not have access to mammograms. Since 2005, the van has been managed and operated by Women’s Mobile Health Screening, LLC, a subsidiary of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC), through a contract with Screening for Life, a program of Delaware’s Division of Public Health. Mammograms are processed by Beebe Medical Imaging.

To schedule a screening mammogram on the WMHS Van, women need to obtain a prescription for a mammogram from their doctor, call the WMHS office to make an appointment at 1-888-672-9647 and discuss how to obtain a copy of their previous mammogram films for comparison. WMHS accepts Medicaid, Medicare, most health insurance and self-pay clients. For more information about how to get screened on the van, please click here. A list of frequently asked questions can be found here.

Additional new screening sites are added every month. “WMHS is always anxious to explore new partnerships and looks forward to screening at the Swahili Church and the Sussex County Latina conference this Spring,” Laura added. For more information about how to bring the van to a location in your community, please call 1-888-672-9647.

Partnerships: "How Can I Help?"

2011-01-26T15:35:00.008-05:00

Submitted by Priscilla Rakestraw, DBCC Development Director

Webster's Dictionary defines "Partnership" as a valued relationship between individuals or groups that is characterized by mutual cooperation and responsibility, as for the achievement of a specified goal.

At DBCC, we are so very grateful when people ask us, “How can I help in the fight against breast cancer?” We could not effectively fight breast cancer without the outstanding dedication and support of our partners. These partners make possible our outreach and education programs, as well as our support and resources for those newly diagnosed with breast cancer or facing recurrence. Our partners stand right beside us – making our work possible.

DBCC partners and partnerships are unique, creative, and varied, making use of individual and organizational resources, talents, networks and ideas to raise awareness, dollars and volunteers.

Our Partners Include:

Large retail outlets, department stores and small boutique stores
Restaurants, bars and entertainment groups
Large corporations and small businesses
Public and private schools (elementary to college)
Sports teams (high school, college, professional)
Hair and beauty salons
Car dealerships
Creative special events and organizations (golf and fishing tournaments, horse races)
Service contractors and businesses
Individuals who have dedicated special occasions (birthdays, anniversaries)
Hospitals, physicians and health care providers

These wonderful and generous people, businesses and organizations are truly leaders in the life-saving fight against breast cancer. We look forward to continuing and expanding these relationships and to creating new partnerships! We hope you will consider how you can become a partner with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition! Please visit our website or contact the DBCC offices in Wilmington, Dover, or Lewes.

Photos of some of DBCC's 2010 Partners

FruitFlowers - Treasure the Chest Yard Sale 2010

Everlasting Wellness and Nutrition

Photo from Unmask the Cure at the Duncan Center

Tanger Trees of Hope

Sisters Helping Sisters

For more photos of 2010 partnerships, please visit our Flickr album here.

DBCC helps struggling survivor through her breast cancer journey

2011-01-25T17:22:00.004-05:00

When breast cancer survivor Betty Duncan, 46, came to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition in the summer of 2010 she had just halted her breast cancer treatment after she found herself with little money and no place to live. Now just a few months later, she is living in an apartment with her 15-year-old daughter, Whitney, and is a one-year breast cancer survivor.

Betty and Whitney with Lois at Cole Haan

“I found out I had breast cancer on Christmas Eve in 2009,” Betty said. “At that time, I was having all kinds of problems with money and places to live and someone told me about DBCC.”

As Betty found herself homeless during her treatment, DBCC gave her the support she needed so that she could continue it. Lois Wilkinson, DBCC Program Manager at the Dover Office, put her in touch with an oncologist to continue her treatment and DBCC was able to provide her with phone cards to keep in contact with her doctors.

Lois Wilkinson along with Connie Holdridge, a DBCC Program Manager at the Sussex Office, worked to find a safe place for Betty and her daughter to stay. They put Betty in touch with People’s Place and the organization was able to place her temporarily in a shelter in Dover before moving her to a hotel. After being on a waiting list for two years, Betty was finally given her own subsidized apartment for her and her daughter to call home.

Betty and Whitney (front) with Cole Haan Staff and DBCC Volunteers

Once moved into the apartment, Betty and Whitney were without many appliances and little furniture. At that time, Cheryl Doucette, a DBCC Program Manager at the Sussex office, got a call from Cathy Gass, General Store Manager at the Cole Haan Outlet at Tanger. Cathy had just attended a manger’s meeting at the Tanger Outlets where Priscilla Rakestraw, DBCC Development Director, spoke to thank all of the stores that participated in this year’s “Tanger Style of PINK” promotion, which raised over $105,000 for DBCC. Cathy was inspired by Priscilla’s speech and felt that she and the Cole Haan store could do more for DBCC.

Cathy Gass proposed to Cheryl that Cole Haan could “Adopt-a-family” for the holidays and buy gifts for a family of a breast cancer survivor in need. With that, Cheryl knew just who could use that support and called Betty. Cole Haan employees were enthusiastic and ready to help! They collected furniture and appliances for Betty’s apartment from local businesses and friends and also bought Betty and Whitney some Christmas gifts. They also gave Betty a turkey and food for Christmas and donated a Christmas tree for her new apartment. Cole Haan employees surely helped Betty and her daughter feel right at home in their new place and gave them a wonderful Christmas.


Betty and Whitney with their Christmas tree

Cole Haan also held a special event, “A Night of Giving,” on December 12, 2010 which collected gifts for men, women, and children and were distributed by DBCC to families of breast cancer survivors in need. Cole Haan certainly helped make the holidays a little brighter for DBCC survivor families.

Today, Betty has a DBCC peer mentor and is working on herself. “Being a wife and a mother, you put worrying about yourself off. After this disease, I’m looking to work on myself and be the best I can be,” Betty said. Betty is planning to go back to school to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science. She plans to enroll at Wilmington University in the summer. “I want to go into counseling so I can help others,” she said. “I want to be able to put myself out there so others can hear my story so they know not to let this disease beat them down.”

To help Betty and her daughter get back on their feet, many people joined in to help. DBCC staff members, local businesses and volunteers all made this possible for the Duncan family and to help a wonderful woman through her breast cancer journey.

Survivor Programs: The Nurture with Nature Series

2011-01-19T16:51:00.007-05:00

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is proud to hold the Nurture with Nature program, a series that allows breast cancer survivors to come together and experience nature by hiking, kayaking, biking, horseback riding, astronomy, or simply walking through a forest or along a beach. These outings occur approximately once a month throughout the state.

Kayaking on the Assawomen Bay in Fenwick

DBCC Program Manager, Lois Wilkinson, helped start the program along with former DBCC board member and survivor, Deloris Donnelly. “There was just a need for this program…one that gives survivors camaraderie with other survivors and lets them know that they have others who they can talk to,” Lois explained.

Unique from the traditional support group, Nurture with Nature takes women out of meeting rooms in hospitals and office buildings and brings them to the great outdoors. “I know there is a lot of value in traditional support groups, which cannot be unstated,” Nurture with Nature participant Betty Lou Chiffon said. “However, I found that the Nurture with Nature program that DBCC offers is one of the best prescriptions for me personally.”

Canoeing on Abbotts Mill Pond

The Nurture with Nature series takes breast cancer survivors to historical sites, beaches, lakes, state parks and more. Rosemary Engle first attended a Peer Mentor training before a Nurture with Nature excursion was recommended to her. “It was the first time I went kayaking and I was very nervous…I thought ‘Oh my God, can I do this?’” Rosemary said. She explained that she didn’t know anyone at that first trip and now has made a lot of good friends through the Nurture with Nature program. “You start getting to know everyone. All survivors have this common ground and you really make some great friends.”

Kayak Trip at Slaughter Beach

Perhaps the most important part of the Nurture with Nature program is for women to forget about the stress in their lives. “For those 3 hours or so, these women can forget about their cancer and have a good time,” she said. Betty Lou agrees. “Nature can be very nurturing especially when shared with friends…The experience is life-giving and the benefits are truly therapeutic.”

Rosemary explained that the excursions are educational as well and that she has learned some pretty unique things, like the function of the horseshoe crab. “I’ve just learned so much through this program. Deloris is a walking encyclopedia on nature and it’s always so interesting.”

Sailing on Kalmar Nyckel

Aside from being outside in nature, the program promotes physical activity too. “With all of the dialogue about how exercise and good nutrition can lower your chances of having breast cancer, the Nurture with Nature series is a chance for these survivors to exercise outdoors.” Lois explained that some participants try a new activity like hiking or canoeing and return to the sites on their own with friends and family.

Betty Lou sums the program up well. “We are all a small group of women, breast cancer survivors enjoying thrivership, endeavoring to connect and cultivate positive relationships by enjoying an activity and engaging with nature.”

To learn more about Nurture with Nature, please click here or call Lois Wilkinson at 302-672-6435.

2010 Recap

In 2010, the Nurture with Nature series held the following programs:

Horseshoe Crab Count at Slaughter Beach
Canoeing Abbotts Mill Pond at Abbotts Mill Nature Center in Milford
Tour of Peterson Nature Center in Wilmington
Kayaking at Killens Pond in Felton
Sailing on Kalmar Nyckel out of Lewes on Delaware Bay
Kayaking On Assawomen Bay in Fenwick
Amish Hay Ride and Bon Fire

Plans for 2011

In 2011, the Nuture with Nature series hopes to plan more kayaking excursions, an astronomy night at Abbotts Mill Nature Center, a small overnight camping retreat at Killen’s Pond, horseback riding, biking thru Bombay Hook Wildlife Refuge, sea glass lecture and beach combing for sea glass. All of these activities are tentative so please check back on DBCC's event listing for confirmed outings in the spring!

Great Stuff: Volunteer Spotlight

2011-01-04T12:15:00.010-05:00

Volunteers Roseanne DeFino (left) and Maryanne

Geraghty are wearing items from Great Stuff!

A love of fashion combined with a desire to give back is what brought breast cancer survivors Maryanne Geraghty and Roseanne DeFino to volunteer at DBCC’s Great Stuff. Both have volunteered previously with DBCC and thought Great Stuff to be a new and exciting place to volunteer.

Maryanne, a retired school teacher, served as a DBCC volunteer by speaking at events in schools and businesses to educate people about breast health and breast cancer. Roseanne has been volunteering with DBCC since her own breast cancer diagnosis 14 years ago.

Volunteers, like Maryanne and Roseanne, can be found behind the scenes tagging clothes and prepping them for the racks and in the front of the store putting together beautiful displays and offering fashion tips to customers. Volunteers always make each person that walks into Great Stuff feel welcomed and comfortable by providing excellent customer service.

“Great Stuff is just a wonderful venture. It’s something good for the community and for the coalition,” Roseanne said. Both women agreed that the people at Great Stuff are great—both the customers and the volunteers.

“I’ve learned so much from the customers,” Roseanne said. “So many women that come in are breast cancer survivors and are so willing to share their story.”

Great Stuff customers are always overjoyed when they discover that the profits are going directly to DBCC to support programs and services. “They are so happy because everyone has been touched by breast cancer,” Maryanne said. “A customer came in and said ‘I like to shop here because I know it’s going to a great cause and not at the mall where it’s going to make someone rich.’”

Aside from the money going to a great cause, Great Stuff also offers one-of-a-kind merchandise that cannot be found in mall department stores. “I like the diversity of the store,” Roseanne said. “It’s not just clothes but also décor. Everything is very unique in its own way.”

Maryanne agreed that she loved to see all of the donations that come into the store. “I like seeing what items intrigue people and how everyone finds their treasure,” she said.

“The atmosphere is great and customers are so eager to make purchases because of that,” Roseanne said. “There’s just such a positive energy.” Volunteers are always seen in the store holding conversations with customers and complimenting them when they emerge from the dressing room. In a feminine, pink store staffed with breast cancer survivors and kind volunteers, it certainly has a great atmosphere full of hope, support and of course, great stuff.

For more information on volunteering at Great Stuff, visit the website.