Champions of Hope - 2009 Honorees
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Style Magazine salutes the winners of Hope Lives! Breast Cancer Support Center’s Second Annual Champions of Hope 2009 Awards. We celebrate these individuals for their unceasing commitment and service to the women of Northern Colorado who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. We thank them for their generous support of Hope Lives! Through their efforts, women have been diagnosed earlier, been provided exceptional medical care, and been given the complementary care needed to enhance their recovery.
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Care Provider Honoree
“Representing the Cancer Program at PVH, I am an active member of the Larimer County Women’s Healthcare Consortium. The mission of this collaborative effort is to promote women’s health related to women’s cancer. Last summer, my best friend in California (a nurse practitioner) was diagnosed with breast cancer. I acted as her patient navigator, assisting her in getting timely consults from physicians, and ultimately making a truly informed decision about her care. In an attempt to improve my own health and decrease my chances of being diagnosed with breast cancer, I personally completed a triathlon two years ago. I needed to set some physical fitness goals, and amazingly, I was able to reach the finish line!
I work closely with an active group of cancer survivors. What distinguishes this community is the strong desire for current survivors to improve the journey for those who will follow. Our community is very generous in wanting to assist others who will unfortunately be diagnosed with cancer in the future. While we are not at a time when we can say cancer is no longer a problem, we can certainly change the experience in Larimer County”
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Care Provider Honoree
“I was thrilled to find Hope Lives! offering the services and support they do to women undergoing treatment for cancer since I have deep rooted personal experience with the loss of loved ones to cancer. My mother died at the age of 41 from a battle with melanoma, which had metastasized to her lymphatics and brain. I also lost a young friend, 31, to stomach cancer. Therefore, helping those actively fighting or recovering from cancer is one of my passions. Additionally, I was drawn to our (Hope Lives! and myself) shared philosophy of offering empowerment to these women through education as well as reconnecting them with their own ability to heal through nurturing bodywork.
What has touched me the most is the fact that the women stricken with breast cancer are all natural nurturers themselves: intelligent, strong, and successful women who artfully manage and care for others (such as children, parents, spouse, career, home, etc). Thus, together, they create the most amazing support network for one another. It is also touching to be there when each woman reconnects with her own ability to nurture and heal herself.”
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Community Honoree
“When my mother had her first of two bouts with breast cancer, we became aware of Lydia Dody and her foundation. I immediately became involved with Hope Lives! to get a better understanding of what this disease was all about and to support my mother however I could. My first involvement was as a donor of wine for all of the tables at the Gala event and some to auction off. The next year, I was one of the survivors’ escorts for the fashion show. Within a couple of years, I found myself the Master of Ceremonies for the Gala event, which I did for a few years in a row. It was quite the experience. At the same time, I became one of the first males to act as President of the Hope Lives! Breast Cancer Foundation, which I did for three years. I have now passed the torch on and have remained a member of the advisory board and am on the Board of Directors currently.
Hope Lives! brings hope and complementary options for women who are going through a very difficult and scary time. Hope Lives! brings knowledge, support, products, and services to women when they need it the most. I see and hear from many, many women how much they appreciate the valuable services Hope Lives! brings to women with breast cancer and to the husbands and family members who had no where else to go. Thank you, Lydia, for your commitment to this cause.”
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Community Honoree
“What began as a simple hobby for two sisters grew into a business, which has blossomed into a community. My Sister Knits has become so much more than just one single sister. We truly have become an ever-growing community of sisters (and a few brothers!), knitters, crocheters, spinners, and weavers . . . a group of caring individuals ranging from Julie, the owner, to employees, clients, instructors, and students.
Many have been cancer patients themselves or have had friends or family counted in that number and all have stepped up to help with charitable groups. We are fortunate to have become affiliated with Hope Lives! as a local charity to which we can donate our time and talents. The more we concentrate our efforts and work together, the closer our community becomes, and the more we help accomplish. From a small baby sock to a cure for cancer; it all can be done.”
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Community Honoree
Jeanne is mother to Matt, 25, Marc, 23, and Krista, 21. She works for Amgen, Inc. as a senior quality associate. She enjoys 5K races, hiking, scrapbooking, and spending time with friends and family.
“Sue and Rebecca at Cloz were so knowledgeable. Shauna at C&S Workshop made me feel like myself again. Stacy did an awesome job with makeup. I normally don’t even feel like having my picture taken, so this was a huge adventure for me, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
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Community Honoree
“Our company, Porter Industries and our Limited Liability Co., Margin, has supported your wonderful organization since its inception. Many say that if you really want to make a difference in the world then start with your own community. Hope Lives! has done exactly that! You have provided support, help, compassion, and love to many local victims of breast cancer since your organization began close to 10 years ago. One of our key company administrators, Ken Sargent, serves as your Board President and through Ken, we are “brought up to speed” on your organization and how you continue to serve so many local woman with so many needs.
My wife, Marilyn, and I celebrated our 40th year of marriage this year. Just prior to our marriage in 1969, my mother experienced breast cancer and the subsequent operation to remove the cancer. This was an incredibly tough time for my parents, but my mom is still alive today, which makes her a 41-year survivor. Detection and treatment remedies have changed dramatically over the years but cancer in any form is very serious. Hope Lives! helps so many in so many ways. We are proud to say that we have supported your efforts since your inception. Our best to you, as you continue to provide your caring support to so many women in need.”
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Volunteer Honoree
“In April 2008, I helped with the Pink Boa 5K. After the race, I found out that a permanent volunteer position had just opened up. It didn’t take me long to figure out that taking this position was something that I could, and wanted, to do. From the moment I arrived at Hope Lives!, I knew I was doing something that made a difference to people.
As a client care coordinator, I am the person who makes the initial contact with new clients. My priority is to get them the information they need so that they can begin using services as quickly as possible. I try my best to meet in person with all new clients when they first come to Hope Lives! I take this time with the clients to go over the program and answer any of their questions. Sometimes, these women take the time to tell me their stories. I’m more than happy to sit with them and listen because every one of these stories is about hope, love, and determination. I walk away from these meetings with a new-found faith in the strength and courage of women, and I do my best to keep that feeling with me and to share it with others.
Their stories give me hope for the future. For every woman that beats breast cancer, there is one more advocate who will push for more research and better treatment options. Our daughters and granddaughters will be better off because of these brave women.”
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Volunteer Honoree
“I am a breast cancer survivor since 2003. When I was going through treatment I contacted Hope Lives! I needed to make the difficult decision about whether or not to go through chemo. Hope Lives! connected me with a woman who had decided to go through chemo and one who did not. I found this incredibly helpful. After surgery, radiation, and a lengthy time of being in denial, I realized that it was important to me to ‘give back’ and do something meaningful for women being diagnosed with breast cancer. I again contacted Hope Lives! and expressed my interest in volunteering. As a Client Care Coordinator, I am the liaison between Hope Lives! and the service providers. In addition, I create the newsletter that goes out twice a month to update clients on local resources and educational information. It is a perfect match for me. I feel that I am making a difference. It is an honor to be recognized for this work that is so meaningful to me.
Whenever I hear a story of a survivor, I view that woman as my sister. Although each patient’s course with breast cancer is different, we all have had to deal with the trauma of the words ‘breast cancer,’ face the disease, and make multiple treatment choices. I am extraordinarily touched by those survivors who are so young. What a tough lot! It is a rough and long road, but thankfully for many of us there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope lives!”