A year ago if you asked me if I was able to see myself where I am today, the answer would be no.On February 29, 2012, I left work early for a mammogram and ultrasound on a mysterious lump in my left breast. I didn’t return to work that day. I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 30.
Soon after my diagnosis I found out I had triple negative breast cancer, which is negative for three receptors commonly found in tumors such as estrogen, her2 and progesterone. This form of breast cancer is aggressive and disproportionately affects young women under 40, African American women and women who have a genetic mutation called BRCA1, which I have.
Finding out you have this disease is scary and at times, overwhelming. We don't have are many treatment options for other types of breast cancer such as tamoxifen or Herceptin. We have surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and prayer that once in remission, it never returns.
Every 30 minutes, a woman is diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation
works feverishly to make sure no woman who is diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer is alone – and is raising funds to work towards a cure. One way is through a grassroots movement to raise funds called Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day which is on March 3, 2013.
“The TNBC Foundation is launching the inaugural Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day on March 3, 2013. Our goal is to use this day to expand our national footprint while making an impression on health care providers, scientists, policy-makers and patients across the country,” said Hayley Dinerman, Acting Executive Director of the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation.
"At the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation, our only focus is to walk with triple negative breast cancer patients in all that they go through, as we energize the scientific community to find a break through," said Dinerman.
There are many ways to get involved. TNBC Day has local events all across the country, now until March 3. I am one of its champions, which is a group of women who are helping organize the events, pitch ideas and create fundraising pages
. To learn more, please visit www.tnbcfoundation.org.Today I am in remission and have completed all my treatment. It was a really tough year, but undoubtedly the support I received from TNBC Foundation has helped me through every step. I am proud to work with the Foundation to raise money for research for a cure and make sure no young woman ever has to be scared or feel alone when faced with this diagnosis.
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