Reflections on Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2015

Each year after October has passed and all of the pink has been stashed for another year, I can’t help but do a reassessment of all that I saw and did and what it means for the year to come in the world of breast cancer. And while some of the negative comments and stories will always surface, I personally found that this year is different than any of the others that I have experienced in the past. But let me explain.

So I just want to say thank you to every single person who did anything to help or support any initiative or individual who lives in the world of breast cancer. You most likely don’t realize that what you have done makes a difference so far above and beyond anything you might imagine. Barbara Jacoby

I am constantly reviewing the headlines on a daily basis for what is going on in the world of breast cancer all year long and this is the first year that I did not find a single article where someone was taking shots at another’s fund raising efforts nor did I see the usual amount of nasty commentary about the motivation of those who were working so hard to make a difference. Perhaps it was there but I was fortunate enough to not see any of it. Rather I have seen an outpouring of love and support and respect and hope and prayer for all of those who have, are, or will be dealing with this disease. And I must say that of all of the public tributes that I saw, the one conceived and presented at the first game of the World Series in New York was, by far, the best and most massive ever with participation from every single fan, team member, staff and person who had any part in the exhibition of this event. It was so inspiring and touching.

In addition, there were several collegiate fund-raising programs of which I was apprised and I was so glad to lend my support to the efforts of our young people who were taking time from their studies to help and support their family members and each other along with the efforts being undertaken at their institutions in the field of research that will hopefully lead to the answers that everyone is seeking so that the future of the young people in this country may never have to know the reality of this disease as we presently know it. And there were campaigns like the “Ford Warriors in Pink and the Good Day Project” as well as campaigns from Chico’s that were raising funds for ‘Stand Up 2 Breast Cancer (SU2C)” and “Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC)” that I personally just had to support in my own way.

But, that was not the very best of what I was to experience this month. As a part of the Novartis Advanced Breast Cancer Summit, I was fortunate enough to sit with some very special women who, although they are in the throes of their own very difficult times in trying to survive this disease, attended the summit to help and advise the representatives from the pharmaceutical company about what those in the advanced breast cancer world need to help others like them. Their stories and their lives are incredible but what they are doing to help others supersedes everything. And to have representatives from the Novartis team at all levels present to gather that data and make strides in their support efforts as was seen since we last met in May was an incredible opportunity. I must truly admit that I walked away from that summit with a renewed hope for the future and a desire to redouble my own efforts to help and make a difference in any way that I can.

So I just want to say thank you to every single person who did anything to help or support any initiative or individual who lives in the world of breast cancer. You most likely don’t realize that what you have done makes a difference so far above and beyond anything you might imagine. While you may never see the immediate results of your contribution of time, money, effort and/or support, please know that you have touched so many more people on so many more levels than you think. For that, we are all eternally grateful.