How did you find out you had cancer?

Self Breast exam.  I found it myself one year ago on September 9 randomly did an exam knowing it had been months since I’ve done one. I called same day for immediate mammogram.  It was done on September 13th.  Oncologist visit  2 weeks later.  And, for the first time in 12 years, I was not in downtown Little Rock for the Race.  I sat at home to watch it on TV as I tried to adjust to the fresh news of my upcoming surgery in November. 

What was the most extraordinary thing someone did for you?  Prayer from so many loved ones and friends came from so many!  It was shocking! My Christian faith strengthened me through those prayers to fight my battle. Every act of kindness was so appreciated – all the cards, prayers, meals were humbling.

My children were so very supportive. My son, Todd, came from TX for the surgery and doctor visits. My daughters, son, sister or friend went with me to each/every appointment.  They made sure I wasn’t alone for one single visit. They took notes and were great advisors helping me ‘hear’ everything while my head was still spinning from the word cancer! My youngest daughter, Rachael, organized an drive to donate hair to cancer victims through “Beautiful Lengths” in February, 2010.  Channel 4 featured her efforts in their ‘Hero’s Central’. Then, my oldest daughter, Melody, arranged to come from VA and stayed 6 weeks while I was in radiation treatments.  She drove me daily from Prattsville to Little Rock for treatments, then onto work in Malvern.  This allowed me to rest and nap on my way to work to minimize my missed work time.  She drove more than 150 miles a day to keep me going, cooked, cleaned and made sure I got plenty of rest in that mix too.  I didn’t lift a finger.  [Yes, I got pretty spoiled.]  I will NEVER forget these amazing acts of love from all my children, family and friends.  

What advice would you give someone battling cancer right now?  Listen and LEARN everything you can, as quickly as you can.  Be your own advocate, research the internet well.  Early detection is key.  Do the self breast exams.  Get your ANNUAL mammogram!  

Why is the race important to you?  I started working for the Komen RACE committee 13 years ago in memory of my grandmother who was a double mastectomy.  First one was in the late 1940s.  Cancer came back for second surgery in the early 1960s. Thankfully, she lived another 15 years after her 2 bouts with cancer.  NOW, … THIS year… it is even more PERSONAL than ever.  I’ll wear my pink shirt for my own survival victory.  I must say that I have loved every tiring minute, I have spent on the RACE for the CURE committee!

Are there any other messages you would like to share?  Because of what I have learned from working with the Komen Foundation, I KNEW how far technology has come in just the last 15 years. I knew I had found my lump early.  It was late stage 1 bordering on stage 2 even with me faithfully doing my annual mammograms.   I had the confidence of knowing early detection was the key!  I knew I had found my cancer early.  I knew it was not a death sentence with early detection.  I knew it could be treaated.  I knew I could get past this ‘bump’ in my life’s journey. I strongly suggest everyone be your own advocate.  You WILL get past this too!

            LITTLE ROCK, ARK. (April 1, 2010) – Today Susan G. Komen for the Cure Arkansas Affiliate handed out 24 grants totaling almost $1.2 million to Arkansas organizations.

This year marks the 16^th for the Komen organization to award grants to programs around the state who are working in the fight against breast cancer.

A total of $1,190,132 was granted.

“Our grants have become more crucial than ever,” said Arkansas Affiliate Executive Director Sherrye McBryde.  “The BreastCare program administered through the Department of Health in the past has covered 14,000 women with free mammograms.  It will provide only 9000 this year.   Our grant money is often the only source for the women being turned away by BreastCare.”

            The Komen Arkansas Affiliate first awarded grants totaling $78,700 in 1994.  This year the largest grant totaled $217,770, and the smallest was $1,920.

“We are fortunate in Arkansas to have the support of so many for Race for the Cure,” McBryde said.   “The efforts of our race participants, volunteers and sponsors allow us to provide funding to our outstanding grantees.  They enable us to work toward fulfilling our promise to end breast cancer forever. While we are delighted with this year’s results, there are many worthy programs that go unfunded.  Our goal for 2010 is to raise more funds to assist even more women throughout the state.”

            The affiliate also awarded its highest honor, the Hickingbotham Award for Service, to Julie and Bill Bridgforth.  Julie and Bill, along with members of the Pine Bluff Running Club, managed the logistics of the Arkansas Race for the Cure for 12 years.   They took on a variety of key race tasks including start line, finish line, results, mile markers and timing.  They have also recruited and managed a cadre of over 100 volunteers from the Pine Bluff Running Club and Jefferson Regional Medical Center. 

            Julie, Director of the JRMC marketing department, was instrumental in growing the hospital’s Race for the Cure team from 500 to 1,500 members over the past ten years.  The team has won the largest team award and the largest hospital team award several times. 

Through JRMC, Julie also started “In The Pink” in 2001, a luncheon and style show which honors local breast cancer survivors.  The four “In The Pink” events have raised awareness for the over 1,200 women attending as well as $90,685.20 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 

Julie has also served on the race committee and as race chair.

            The Hickingbotham Award is named in honor of businessman Frank Hickingbotham and his family who were founding sponsors of the Arkansas Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

During the meeting at the Junior League of Little Rock Building, the Komen Arkansas Affiliate also inducted Metropolitan National Bank into its Pink Ribbon Society.

Metropolitan National Bank has been a continuous sponsor of the Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure since 1996.  They have hosted the annual Race press conference in their bank lobby, transformed their bank to represent runners in the race and lit the top of the bank pink in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.  With the support of bank management, they have also become the champion of the annual survivor breakfast.  Held in the lobby of Metropolitan Plaza, the survivor breakfast has gone from a small, outdoor event, to an indoor, seated meal for over 1,000 people.  They even provide secure parking for these special survivors.  Through their continued financial support as a sponsor and their commitment to Komen’s mission, Metropolitan National Bank has become a significant community leader in breast health and breast health awareness.

The Pink Ribbon Society is an honorary membership based on community leadership in the area of breast health and breast health awareness and given to recognize significant contributions to the state to advance the mission of the Komen organization.
            The affiliate also honored Sherrye McBryde, executive director of the Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  McBryde has served the organization for ten years, beginning as treasurer in 2000 and becoming interim executive director in 2001.  “It quickly became obvious Sherrye would be an incredible asset to the organization,” said Vickey Metrailer, Board President of the Arkansas Affiliate.  “Our affiliate has matured and developed over the past ten years, thanks in large part of Sherrye’s professionalism, hard work and dedication.”

Grants awarded this year are:

• $217,770 to BreastCare in Little Rock for its “Bridging the Screening Gap” program
• $93,500 to White River Rural Health Center, Inc. in Augusta for its “White River Breast Care Alliance” program
• $88,950 to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home for its “Mobile Mammography Unit Outreach” program
• $84,520 to Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in Little Rock for its “Digital Mobile Mammography” program
• $81,564 to Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff for its “Reach Every Woman V” program
• $79,710 to Encore for Women’s Health in Little Rock for its “Navigation” program
• $76,650 to Baptist Health Medical Center -Little Rock for its “Breast Screening Project” program
• $74,800 to St. Vincent Health System New Outlook in Little Rock for its “Services for Breast Cancer Survivors” program
• $67,345 to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro for its “BreastAssured VI” program
• $67,210 to Greater Delta Alliance for Health for its “Access Project Pink – Southeast Arkansas” program
• $57,850 to St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro for its “Bringing Digital Mammography to your Community” program
• $50,870 to White River Health System, Inc. in Batesville for its “Komen Project” program
• $49,122 to Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway for its “Touching Lives III: Breast Health for Women in Faulkner County” program
• $19,290 to CrossRidge Community Hospital in Wynne for its “Making Breast Health a Priority in Cross County” program
• $16,356 to Magnolia City Hospital for its “Minutes for a Lifetime” program
• $14,546 to Corning Area Healthcare, Inc. in Corning for its “Breast Cancer Awareness Program” program
• $12,000 to Baptist Health Women’s Resource Center in Little Rock for its “Look Good, Feel Better” program
• $9,000 to BreastCare in Little Rock for its “Pink Carnation Sunday” program
• $7,289 to Girl Scouts – Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas for its “Breast Health Education for Arkansas Diamonds” program
• $7,000 to Encore for Women’s Health in Little Rock for its “Direct Financial Assistance” program
• $6,300 to Healthy Connections, Inc. in Mena for its “Pink Friday” program
• $3,270 to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home for its “Tell Your Mom, Save A Life” program
• $3,300 to Conway Regional Medical Center for its “Look Good Feel Better” program
• $1,920 to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home for its “Lymphedema Outreach VII” program

Komen for the Cure was established as the Komen Foundation in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36.  Thanks to more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, Komen for the Cure with its Affiliate Network is the world’s largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs.  Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and donors, Komen for the Cure has raised nearly $600 million for the fight against breast cancer.

 A co-survivor is someone who supports a breast cancer survivor through diagnosis, treatment and beyond. The Komen for the Cure award honors a friend, spouse, family member or co-worker who finds meaningful ways to ease the burden of someone dealing with breast cancer.

 For last year’s Race chair Ellen Kreth, that person was her husband Kelly. After Ellen’s right breast began to swell noticeably, her doctor recommended a mammogram, which led to a diagnosis of Stage 3B Inflammatory Breast Cancer at the age of 33.

 Prior to diagnosis, life was just as Ellen thought it should be – happy, healthy and ordinary. She and her husband were proud parents of a 5-month baby and 3-year-old daughter. Following diagnosis, Ellen wondered how she could keep up. She had a bilateral mastectomy, a total of four months of chemotherapy, six weeks of radiation and a hysterectomy.

 Her husband, Kelly, took on his role as co-survivor with these things in mind and his hope to make this journey as normal as possible for their family.

 “When I was too weak to move, Kelly showed his support in many ways, including trips to the grocery store and spending more time with our daughters,” said Ellen. “Along with me, Kelly put on his fighting gloves and never wavered in his compassionate care.”

Kelly, who is a pilot, flew out of New York on the morning of Sept. 11, and when his plane was grounded in Cincinnati, he rented a car and drove ten hours to be with Ellen for her doctor’s appointment.  On the drive home, he called her friends to tell them about the diagnosis so they could offer Ellen words of encouragement.  He stood by her through numerous doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy treatments.

 While Ellen says all that is commendable, she says Kelly’s story is so much more than taking on the ordinary tasks of life.  “He made his wife – who had gained weight from all the steroids, who was bald, wearing fake eyelashes, fake hair and fake breasts – feel beautiful, brave and proud and more of a person after the diagnosis than less,” Ellen explains.  She says because he commended her for being brave and courageous, she was able to fight harder against the cancer.

 It’s been almost nine years since Ellen’s diagnosis. Since that time, Kelly’s encouragement led his wife to speak and educate others about Inflammatory Breast Cancer, serve as the 2009 Komen Arkansas Race for the Cure^® Chair and he has also become an advocate – sharing stories and experiences with other co-survivors at the race.

 “Because of the success of our organization, we can now say that if found early there is a 98% survival rate at 5 years, but the journey of a survivor is not easy with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and drug therapy,” says Sherrye McBride of the Komen Arkansas Affiliate. “To find someone who will be by your side and love and support you is special.  Kelly Kreth is one of the most special.”