Saturday, Oct. 08, 2011

October: a bittersweet month

I've seen some of the fight: its wins, losses and devastating effects on moms and grandmoms, sisters and daughters, nieces and aunts, wives and friends, colleagues and neighbors.

That makes October's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month bittersweet for me.

I'm reminded that this time last year, I was praying hard for Felecia Marsh, the mother of our then-12-year-old daughter's best friend.

Nov. 19 marks a year since we lost her.

And then, there's Angela Cloud, a longtime family friend who celebrated 10 years as a breast cancer survivor - a clear reminder of why we all must keep fighting the horrific battle.

This month celebrates 27 years of awareness, education and empowerment in a movement that has moved far beyond the traditional but still powerful pink ribbon to symbolize our continued need to share more information and raise more money for research, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and finding a cure for breast cancer.

This touches many

According to the American Cancer Society, aside from nonmelanoma skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States.

The organization estimates nearly 230,500 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in women this year and nearly 40,200 women will die.

A majority of them will be African-American women of all ages.

All month, splashes and seas of pink - from NFL players to the Empire State Building - will remind us what those numbers mean and how we can reduce them, how we can be a helpful, loving and compassionate community of support, which those who know best say is crucial to healing and restoration.

Rex campaign

In Midtown, Rex Healthcare began a month of cancer awareness activities and community partnerships to educate the public about the need for screenings, checkups and exams.

"It's a tough disease," said spokeswoman Teri Dematas.

"Even if you haven't personally had it, you want to support your mother or sister or friend who has, to get behind the research."

A monthlong Rex partnership with Triangle Belk stores offers customers a free kit for monthly breast self-exams with the purchase of a $50 bra.

With Alliance Medical Ministry, Rex will provide free clinical breast exams to uninsured women ages 18-64 on Oct. 22 at the annual Community Breast Health Event.

Attendees can get information about resources such as Rex Mobile Mammography services, which has assisted more than 28,000 women in the past decade.

Survivors' stories

Cloud was one of those women.

Unsure what killed her sister in 1999, she decided in 2001 to visit a Rex Mobile Mammography unit at the YWCA.

"They found it," said Cloud, who was among survivors who spoke Sept. 30 at the eighth annual Chocolate Festival sponsored by the Women's Center at N.C. State University.

"And you find out who you are, you find out who your friends are, and you find out how strong your family is," Cloud said.

Rex isn't focusing just on breast cancer.

Instead, Rex has found a way to ride the wave of high exposure enjoyed by Breast Cancer Awareness Month to highlight other stories of beating cancer through a partnership with the Carolina Hurricanes.

Fans are encouraged to submit stories about how they or a loved one beat the odds.

The winner of the contest will get a pair of Hurricanes season tickets.

On Oct. 25, Rex also will participate in the "Hockey Fights Cancer Night."

The annual Rex Healthcare Foundation Gala will wrap up the campaign Oct. 29 in downtown Raleigh.

Patient support

At the Cancer Centers of North Carolina, Dawn Barringer helps patients navigate their treatment and healing.

Every third Tuesday, she hosts a Fireside Chat for patients, covering everything from alternative and sex therapy to exercise through Zumba.

The Oct. 18 Fireside Chat, however, "is a celebration of life; wherever they are in their journey," Barringer said. The loss of her sister to breast cancer 16 years ago makes it "a personal fight."

She isn't alone.

'Grateful to be here'

"That diagnosis changes your life; your perspectives, your priorities," said Mardie Gibbs, a patient support services associate at the Cancer Centers.

Gibbs knows that for sure.

"I'm 18 1/2 years in," she said, revealing her own diagnosis of breast cancer in March 1993 while living in Dallas.

"For many people, when you get that diagnosis, your first thought is you're going to die.

"I decided I was going to take it on and give it a good fight. I'm grateful to be here."

It's the same thing Angela Cloud said: "I'm just so happy to be here to talk to you, Lori," she said.

Cloud's three adult daughters wanted to throw a party to mark her 10-year anniversary as a survivor.

"I told them, 'No. This is no party time.' This is a time you are to do something for someone else,' " she said.

So, they did, as hosts of an after-church hospitality-fellowship that included munchies they made at home - and information to raise awareness about breast cancer.