Hello and welcome to our 21st Anniversary Sisters’ Journey Breast Cancer Survivors’ Calendar.
For the past 21 years, Sisters’ Journey has continued to share stories of hope and perseverance from a breast cancer survivor’s point of view, and will continue to do so for many years to come. This year, we have 12 unique women with 12 unique cancer journeys that will no doubt inspire, educate and encourage someone to take advantage of early detection screenings in an attempt to save and/or prolong their life.
However, while we are specifically a breast cancer advocacy organization, we also are acutely aware how other forms of cancer can have a profound effect on our lives, and would like to take this opportunity to expand on our message. This past year, Sisters’ Journey suffered a major loss in its family with the passing of Tracey Ware, a 10-year member of our board of directors
and a personal friend for more than 40 years. Tracey succumbed to ovarian cancer. I would like to honor her memory by sharing some important information from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center about the cause and effect of ovarian cancer:
Ovarian cancer rarely has noticeable symptoms in its earliest stages. As the cancer progresses, subtle signs begin to appear, but you might not notice them right away, or they may be blamed on other common conditions. There are 10 main signs of ovarian cancer. However the most common
symptoms are:
• Bloating
• Pain in the lower belly
• Feeling full quickly or having trouble eating
• Having to urinate more often or more urgently
Although the symptoms of ovarian cancer may be vague, particularly in the early stages, they are usually
fairly constant and represent a change from how you normally feel. Symptoms also worsen as the cancer
progresses. If you experience any of these symptoms every day, for more than two to three weeks, speak with your doctor and specifically ask if you could have ovarian cancer.
Please visit sharecancersupport.org for more information about ovarian cancer.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Sisters’ Journey Family, thank you as always for all your love and support and please take care of yourselves. Early diagnosis is the key to conquering all forms of cancer, whether it be ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or other illnesses. The earlier the diagnosis, the better are the chances for effective treatment.
Remember: “Be an advocate of your own body.”
Peace and Blessings,
Dawn White-Bracey
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January
I was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended public schools there through high school graduation. Based on my outstanding academic accomplishments, I was recruited by Morgan State University and
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February
My journey with breast cancer began in 1992 at the age of 47. I was employed at…
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March
My name is Marie Mason. I was 61 when I found out that I had breast cancer. In June 2011,…
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April
My name is Dinean Whitaker. At the age of 48, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. …
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May
My cancer journey actually started when I was 38 years old. My primary care…
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June
My name is Mozelle Myra Murray. I am originally from Mount Holly, New Jersey.
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July
My family and I have always had coverage under my husband’s insurance plan. In Fall 2016, a larger…
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August
No history of cancer in my family. No history of any serious disease. I was…
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