“No more pinkness” was heard from someone working with me on a breast cancer event. Even with 1 out of 8 women getting a diagnosis, some people still see breast cancer as getting too
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| St.Senator Simpson, CEO/Pres. Amanda Maggard FL Hospital, FHZ Foundation Chair Linda Hauz |
I reflect back to when breast cancer didn’t matter to me. I
have a twofold case of guilt forever. First, I use to think this issue wasn’t
worthy of my time or money. Now I realize
and reflect on how I survived and some dear friends have long gone from the
disease. So I work, for the cause, in many ways. And find, now, hearing
disenfranchised comments only makes my passion stronger. I fight for them, the
not interested parties, for they were me, long ago, before I was diagnosed and
fighting for my life.
This year, I am coordinating a breast cancer walk at the
Active 55+ Community where I live, Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in
Zephyrhills, Florida. All of the money raised will be going to such an exciting
piece of equipment locally. Florida
Hospital in Zephyrhills is purchasing the GE Senographe Pristina 3D Mammography
System and will be one of only 3 hospitals in the state of Florida to have this
finely tuned newest mammography technology.
This equipment has 3D capabilities and the system has the
patient’s comfort issues at the forefront. Truly this is revolutionary. Perhaps
that is why the name of Florida Hospital’s funding drive is Vision for the
Future. This campaign’s goal is $500,000 but the cost of this equipment far
exceeds this amount thus, the hospital will pay the balance. They are willing
to because early detection saves lives and they feel this is a priceless endeavor
for the community.
As a survivor, I have to applaud Simpson Breast Health
Center at FL Hospital for being proactive in finding ways to not only improve the
quality of the experience of getting a mammogram (soft LED lights, heated
surfaces) but make results more reliable. Linda Hauff, Chairman of the Board,
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation has been a fountain of information
about this evolving development. This equipment
would have prevented many late diagnoses not caught by traditional mammograms,
such as mine.
I was unsure who to work with at Southport Springs. There is a great deal of planning involved to pull off something this large with a lot of pieces to coordinate and my style is different than others around here. They had something for cancer several years ago by a member well known who fits right in. I march to my own drum, too old to change honestly, though I am sure criticism will come my way, possibly even by the previous staff. Conformity is not in my nature.😂 I have to take from some of my experiences of what worked and try to tweak it to this environment and my new forming friendships. We all have different strengths and gifts. I believe some in this community will value mine and like, any place, some won't.
The best place to start was investigating to find out who were some folks that were known for great follow-through and working hard. It was a gamble because I really didn't know them well as far as working on a project together. Life is a gamble, hell cancer certainly is! Oh and the first one I asked was a woman that suggested the main event, the walk, someone I barely knew! I included a few friends but actually not all I have made here. I wanted diversity.
Subcommittees were further formed. All in all, 35-45 people are entrenched in the effort in some capacity. I hope they register as team members and raise sponsorship monies. Otherwise, not much money will be raised but again, that, this year, is not the primary goal! This community needs everyone that can walk to walk or cheer. Our Head Committee is outstanding! It's became close and is excited to not only increase awareness but raise donations to help offset the costs for a life-saving purchase locally. To get folks excited about activities around cancer before the events happen makes it a win for me already.
I was unsure who to work with at Southport Springs. There is a great deal of planning involved to pull off something this large with a lot of pieces to coordinate and my style is different than others around here. They had something for cancer several years ago by a member well known who fits right in. I march to my own drum, too old to change honestly, though I am sure criticism will come my way, possibly even by the previous staff. Conformity is not in my nature.😂 I have to take from some of my experiences of what worked and try to tweak it to this environment and my new forming friendships. We all have different strengths and gifts. I believe some in this community will value mine and like, any place, some won't.
The best place to start was investigating to find out who were some folks that were known for great follow-through and working hard. It was a gamble because I really didn't know them well as far as working on a project together. Life is a gamble, hell cancer certainly is! Oh and the first one I asked was a woman that suggested the main event, the walk, someone I barely knew! I included a few friends but actually not all I have made here. I wanted diversity.
Subcommittees were further formed. All in all, 35-45 people are entrenched in the effort in some capacity. I hope they register as team members and raise sponsorship monies. Otherwise, not much money will be raised but again, that, this year, is not the primary goal! This community needs everyone that can walk to walk or cheer. Our Head Committee is outstanding! It's became close and is excited to not only increase awareness but raise donations to help offset the costs for a life-saving purchase locally. To get folks excited about activities around cancer before the events happen makes it a win for me already.
Working at the American Cancer Society, I knew the sentiment was always going to be positive, encouraging and the majority of the public was going to embrace the event. We all were hellbent on the wish to eradicate cancer and in the process, promoting catching it early, developing better treatments and better drugs. Here, I sit on the edge of my seat, there are so many other worthy causes competing for attention. And when you hear feedback like "too much pinkness already" and "I am sick of hearing about breast cancer, " or "why isn't she doing it like the lady did it in the past" and even criticism of my style. I remind myself of Julie Naberhaus! 👼 Julie was originally diagnosed the same time as me. When it came back a year later, she fought breast cancer hard, in tremendous pain and I realize, no matter what adversity I face, my battle is nothing compared to hers. She pushes me forward, as always.
My work in the field of cancer is God driven and survivor driven. I am hoping to show you can bring laughter in the name of yes, cancer to my new neighbors. Celebrating survivorship and medical advances is good stuff. Raising awareness and reflecting on the high value of life and living in the moment is what life is about! I hope our committees can make our aging population here completely comfortable saying "I've had my mammogram and got it done at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills." This piece of equipment will significantly reduce false negatives, especially on the 20-25% that have been receiving them. How wonderful to know that all the money raised is going specifically to funding equipment in the state of Florida that will guarantee saving lives?
This blog today matters to me as much as all of you, regular followers. So many of you have stayed with me from the days post-treatment. Some of you have written me, some as far away as outside of the US. If you get cancer, know you are in my prayers, daily. Which is why I fight, care and give. I hate the disease with as much passion as I fight it. It doesn't matter what the event is, I try to give it my all.
Please pray that the residents here are open enough to a newcomer with her ideas and quirks to support the cause. So many committee members are working tirelessly to make this happen, to bring this to fruition. These excellent leaders deserve this. Florida Medical Hospital Board talked to me at their Kick Off and is forming teams to attend the Walk. May this community realize this is for them and for the greater good. I have been a part of successes at huge events, with 15,000 walkers, over million dollars. Now I live here, in Zephyrhills at Southport Springs and want another great accomplishment for them, a wonderful turn-out, response and support for the local hospital. At the end of the day, this is God's work though and in God's hands. .
Please pray that the residents here are open enough to a newcomer with her ideas and quirks to support the cause. So many committee members are working tirelessly to make this happen, to bring this to fruition. These excellent leaders deserve this. Florida Medical Hospital Board talked to me at their Kick Off and is forming teams to attend the Walk. May this community realize this is for them and for the greater good. I have been a part of successes at huge events, with 15,000 walkers, over million dollars. Now I live here, in Zephyrhills at Southport Springs and want another great accomplishment for them, a wonderful turn-out, response and support for the local hospital. At the end of the day, this is God's work though and in God's hands. .
If you would like to donate to breast cancer in October, or
prior, to help increase the total donation from our Walk, The Ta Ta Trot & the other activities we have planned, the information is below. Please do donate to something in Oct. if not Southport Springs. All our proceeds will be going to Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation for this
equipment so that many others in the surrounding areas can utilize this mammography technology. See below for how to make out checks. We welcome gifts of all sizes and everyone in our community thanks you for your support! 😉
What I wish for is a world free of the need to say pinkness.
Mail donations to:
Ta Ta Trot
c/o Jim
Bronold
4009 Russian Olive Lane
Zephyrhills, FL 33541
See check below please:
I made this video a few years ago during my tenure with the American Cancer Society after attending various St. Thomas Camp Bluebird Camps for Survivors of Cancer, ACS events & Susan G Komen Walks. Most images are either breast cancer survivors, deceased of the disease or those currently in treatment. Some pictures have other forms of cancer. NOTE: A few images, people have since deceased. 😢 Cick Here
