Introducing 2009 Featured Survivor:
 

Cathy Aragon

They gave me a breast cancer treatment handbook on the day they gave me my first biopsy results. In the second paragraph of page 1, it reads, “Most importantly, you need to know that breast cancer is usually not a medical emergency. You can take several weeks without endangering your health to sort through your emotions and seek answers to your questions.” I laughed, and then I read it to my husband. It had been quite a week for us.  (more...)

 

 

Introducing 2008 Survivor Recipients:

All net proceeds from the golf, cycling and concert will be distributed to six or more breast cancer survivor recipients.  

Ann Pendley

Ann PendleyWhen I was 42 I was the strongest woman for my weight class at my gym, benching 165 pounds when I weighed 123. I played a mean squash game and challenged myself on tricky mountain bike trails. My physical identity was with my upper body, breasts, and long, thick hair. My personal identity was with working my butt off, having fun, and being all-over-the-place spiritually. Two years later the effects of chemo and surgery brought me to a very different place. A world in which I was out there, front and center - with no hair or muscle mass to protect me and only half a cleavage. It was just me. At one point, it was me and the one eyelash I had left – upon which I still applied mascara. My skin turned to tissue paper. Wouldn't want any hormones feeding the cancer cells.  (more...)

Jan Florea

Jan FloreaYou will find a brightly-lit path leading to my home! I have an obsession for lights, as did my father. My yard, hot tub, hallways and patio reflect a bright and festive glow every season of the year. Those who surround me would tell you it resembles the light in my life and my love for laughter, family and friends. My name is Jan Florea. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, partner, friend, co-worker, neighbor and a breast cancer survivor. It is one of many things I am.  (more...)

  

 

 

Jean Yule

Jean YuleI am Jean Bice Yule.

Born in 1939, I am a life long resident of Fort Collins.  I love this community and have never wished to live elsewhere.  I am a Fort Collins High School graduate (1957) and CSU graduate (1961).  With my husband, John, I have raised four children and we are blessed with seven grandchildren - ages 2 year - 18 years. (more...)

 

  

Irene Stein

Irene SteinWriting a bio at this time is very difficult as one of the major changes that I am going through is related to my identity. I was diagnosed with breast cancer this past October and am currently (as of March 31) in the middle of chemo treatments. Since October, events and consequences have slowly been chipping away at any prior conceptions I have had concerning my relationships with my body, my work, and my family and friends. If this journey through breast cancer is to become one of metamorphosis, then I am still in chrysalis stage. I have no idea who I will become at the other end.  (more...)

Pat Sample

Pat SampleMy twin and I are “miracle babies,” according to my mother. Since we were little girls, my mother has recounted the nightmare about her pregnancy with us. She was very sick during her pregnancy, with kidney problems keeping her in constant pain and often bed-bound. They loaded her so full of medications that at one point the doctor could find no fetus heartbeats, and told my mom to expect the worst. Eventually the heartbeats started up again, which made the doctor very nervous about what kind of babies we might be. My twin, Paula, and I also got to sunbathe in the x-rays they kept taking of my mother’s kidney area…Oh yeah, there also was the time that they gave her a very large dose of DES, in case her kidney problems might start an early labor. The doctor didn’t want us born early. He was, though, prepared for alien monsters to be born; every piece of life-saving equipment they had at the hospital was rolled into the room when my mother’s labor got into full swing.  (more...)

Kate Ingmundson

Kate IngmundsonI am a 50 year old woman, I have lived in Boulder since 1984. I have a deep connection with the earth, and go out walking every day. Just before my surgery happened last November, I started doing freelance work as a copy editor. I enjoy this work, and I have been very excited about getting into it. I am looking forward to starting up with editing once again. I also have done some work as a caregiver for the elderly in their homes. (more...)