Reflecting on Surviving Breast Cancer
They say it's less about the destination than the journey but in this case, success in their journey meant there was a destination: survival. For our CEO, Patricia Bible, and her sister, Julia "Birdie" Eslinger, reflecting on their battles against breast cancer during this national breast cancer month reaffirms their gratefulness for the opportunity to share their story as survivors and offer wisdom for the more than 230,000 individuals who will be diagnosed with the disease this year.
Just a little more than a decade after her younger sister and our Office Manager Birdie was diagnosed, Patricia sat stunned at the news. She confesses, watching Birdie struggle with her treatment 12 years ago made her question whether everything entailed in fighting the disease was worth it. Still, flooded with concerns for her family and business, she forged ahead with the lessons of strength and courage she had come to know through her sister's battle. And she found her fight easier, thanks to advances in medicine that meant she didn't have to go through chemotherapy and was essentially cancer-free after surgery.
Now, one year later, Patricia focuses on her new personal mission of encouraging others to participate in regular mammography and self-examinations. As the most common cancer among women and second most common cancer of all, understanding breast cancer and engaging in frequent screenings is the key to success stories like Patricia and Birdie's.
For more information on getting involved in the fight against breast cancer, visit the American Cancer Society for news on walks, fundraisers, and mobile mammography events. Most importantly, take the time to offer hope to those diagnosed with the disease and encourage loved ones to learn about their options for early detection.