Komen’s Patient Care Center (PCC) navigators are culturally responsive and dedicated care partners who offer free, personalized services to patients, caregivers and family members. “When I’m working with people in treatment, I want them to know they can trust me to help find answers and resources,” says Roselyn, a Komen Patient Navigator. “Cancer is the biggest blow, and I want to help cushion it.”
Regular scans during breast cancer treatment can help identify if the cancer is responding to treatment – or when breast cancer has recurred. In the lead up time to scans, people often feel a sense of anxiety – or scanxiety. Fortunately, there are tools available to some that may help identify breast cancer recurrence.
Laura Grueser has worked in the community health space and in hospice programs. Four years ago, she joined the Komen Patient Care Center as a patient navigator, where she helps guide breast cancer patients through the health care system. Her job is essentially to help a patient traverse the health care system.
For Wisconsin mom of three and firefighter Bizzy Smith, 2022 was a whirlwind of emotions, beginning with receiving the call that she and her best friend and fellow firefighter Sunny Pulver had been cast as a team on season 36 of “The Amazing Race.” The year would end with her struggling for a diagnosis for the lumps in her left breast.
In a small, rural town in southern Minnesota, Cyndi spent her days as a wife, mother and high school English teacher. In 2018, after she tried everything to mitigate persistent rib pain, she had an appointment that set her on a path she never anticipated.
According to the National Cancer Institute, mammograms correctly identify about 87% of breast cancers present at the time of screening. Researchers are investigating whether AI software can help radiologists detect breast cancer with even more accuracy.
Tiffy was just 29 when she learned she had breast cancer. “I didn’t have to worry about my medical bills, but I couldn’t afford daily expenses,” she said. She turned to Komen’s Financial Assistance Program and was approved for a grant. “That gave me the ability to breathe for just a moment,” Tiffy said. “I could think about my own well-being.”
When it comes to advocacy in the breast cancer community, few stories are as inspiring as that of Dr. Vondalyn Wright, affectionately known as Dr. Von. Her breast cancer diagnosis and her unwavering support for others facing the disease have made her an inspiration for people like Princess, who discovered Dr. Von while caring for her grandmother.
Jaya Kataria’s son, Rishi, was just 13 when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. After watching her perseverance in the face of her illness, Rishi knew he wanted to give back to the breast cancer community, which is when he launched Pillars of Hope and began making candles to raise money to support Susan G. Komen’s mission to end breast cancer forever.
Researchers are exploring new frontiers in early estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients. People with early ER+ breast cancer often see favorable outcomes from their treatment, but once treatment is done, many face the fear of not knowing if their cancer will come back.
For community leaders motivated to help end breast cancer, Susan G. Komen’s ambassador fundraising programs offer dedicated supporters a chance to engage with their networks to fundraise in support of Komen. This story highlights the journeys of three of Komen’s dedicated supporters who inspired others to give back and make a meaningful impact in the fight to end breast cancer.
Jasmine was diagnosed with stage 2b triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma shortly after her 38th birthday. “I chose to face the challenge with all the courage I never knew I had. Through sickness, financial despair, traveling out of state and missing work for 19 months, I made it,” she said.
