As a breast cancer advocate my dedication to research is
even stronger now than ever. After 23
years as a volunteer and advocate for Susan G.
Komen, I was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012. No one wants to be diagnosed with cancer, but I knew my treatment would be the
best it could be thanks to the advancement of research and clinical
trials. Twenty-three years ago we didn’t even know what triple negative breast
cancer was or how to treat it. Today we still don’t completely understand
triple negative breast cancer, but we’re
making headway because the research community is constantly looking for better
treatments and better outcomes. This is due in large part to Susan G. Komen, the
leader in non-government funded research resulting in new treatment therapies.
My cancer was stage I and I had options not available 23
years ago. I had a lumpectomy and sentinel node biopsy, both the results
of research and clinical trials. Both are improvements in treatment, less
invasive and as effective as more radical treatments. Today patients are
living longer, better lives because research has provided us with options not
available 23 years ago.
Nancy Brinker’s vision to rid the world of breast cancer is
as important today was it was 30 years ago. Making sure women know about early
detection, have access to quality cancer care and support are vitally
important, but if we can’t treat them once they are diagnosed we’ve
failed. And failure isn’t an option. Susan G. Komen’s dedication to research is one reason I still volunteer today. I’ve lost too many friends to breast
cancer and frankly I don’t want to lose anyone else. Komen’s vision for
translational research is important. Research which will be in the clinic or
the community within a decade means women like me, my daughter Molly and my friends will have the benefit of our
research investment. It doesn’t get more important than that.
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