Cheryl Runnells was a 20-year cancer survivor. At the age of 50, she was diagnosed with a cancer which resulted in a colon resection, navelectomy, and trachelectomy (removal of the cervix). For Cheryl, her breast cancer diagnosis in September 2017 was not only a surprise, but also an intrusion. Throughout her life, Cheryl had experienced many heartbreaks - from the loss of her father at an early age, to the death of her husband, and then tragically, the passing of her two best friends (one, to breast cancer). Cheryl was no stranger to loss, but as a mother and business woman, Cheryl’s will to live gave her the strength she needed. In January 2018, Cheryl had a bilateral mastectomy. As strong as Cheryl was, after her surgery she found herself in moments of pain and weakness. “After I had my surgery, I showered for a month in a bra,” recalled Cheryl. “I had a bra that I just kept on… because I didn’t want to see [my breasts]. I didn’t want to face it.” Like many women, Cheryl felt disfigured and uncomfortable with her post-surgical body. Eventually, “I got to a point where I realized, ‘This is stupid!’ I can’t keep doing that.” Though she is still coping with her new body, she now puts on her bra like everyone else, gets dressed, and goes to work – finding optimism wherever she can. “I assume that everything is going to work out, as long as I work hard enough to see that it does.”

Brave and fiercely independent are two adjectives that anyone who knows Ivette Martinez, would use to describe her. Throughout her life, Ivette faced many challenges. After being thrown into the foster care system, enduring the trauma of child abuse and domestic violence, she thought she could handle anything. But the breast cancer diagnosis that she received in June of 2017 was not a battle she felt equipped to take on. Ivette was diagnosed with micro- metastatic invasive ductal carcinoma. “I was angry, hurt and scared,” said Ivette, “I [now] have the fight of my life…” Not one to normally ask for help, she was reluctant to seek it out. She forged her own path through treatment and found respite in her family, especially her 7 year-old granddaughter. Over time, she sought out support groups and found a network of support unlike anything she had ever had before. The women she met had been in her shoes, understood her challenges and helped her stay positive, even on her worst days. Though Ivette’s journey is still not over, she’s halfway there. “[On] my down days… when I get depressed… I journal… I also search for every support group I can find to learn from others.” The most valuable lesson Yvette has learned from her journey through breast cancer is that, regardless of the ups and downs, she is not alone.

“It is such a sad job to have to listen to so many stories from women with breast cancer…” Maria Carrera remembered telling her daughter who had begun working for The Pink Ribbon Place in 2014. Little did she know, she would soon become one of the women sharing her story at the resource center. Despite her dedication to regular mammograms, Maria Carrera was diagnosed with Stage II, triple negative breast cancer in June 2017. That summer, she faced the beginning of the most difficult experience of her life. Though the news of her diagnosis was quite difficult for her family to accept, they quickly put their grief aside and focused on how they could combine efforts to support her in her journey. Each family member played a role. “My grandchildren were a big support. I would tell them, ‘Your grandma looks so ugly without hair’ and they would tell me I looked beautiful,” she recalled. Maria Carrera has been in remission since March 2018. She now sees her daughter’s work from a different perspective. Though the diagnosis of cancer is tragic and the side effects of treatment can be horrific, the stories shared at The Pink Ribbon Place are not just sad stories. Rather, they are stories filled with hope, courage and inspiration.

In August 2017, only seven months after a negative mammogram, Sue Hertzog discovered several lumps in her left breast while on vacation. When she returned from vacation, she immediately scheduled an appointment with her care provider to ask for a second look. Because she had already had one mammogram that year, her care provider was extremely reluctant to send her for a second. Sue refused to take “no” for an answer and insisted on what she felt was in her best interest. Sue was diagnosed with Stage III infiltrating ductal carcinoma in September of that very year. Cancer did not run in Sue’s family. She took vitamins, exercised regularly and stayed up-to-date with medical checks ups. This diagnosis was truly surreal and though she had a number of friends who had been through this very journey, it took weeks before she could come to terms with the fact that it was now her journey. Sue’s treatment entailed six months of harsh chemotherapy cocktail infusions – once every three weeks – followed by a left breast mastectomy, another six months of Herceptin infusions, breast removal and reconstructive surgery. When asked about the ups and downs of her journey, Sue shared that she felt that the ups were disproportionately outnumbered by the downs. “The disease steals your life,” said Sue. “If there is any ‘up’ side to it, it’s the realization of how fortunate I am to have such a great network of people around me that really truly got me through this,” she said. When she found the nerve to share the news with her family, she discovered that her family, friends and even friends of friends rallied to support her. No matter what they were enduring personally, those special people in her life found a way to show her they cared. Daily emails, caretaking visits, care packages, help around the house and garden, home-cooked meals and notes of encouragement flowed in from near and far. “In short, me, the eternal curmudgeon got to see the best of humanity in this situation - this was a huge ‘up’ for me. I’m touched when I think about it and am eternally grateful for these special people in my life,” said Sue. Sue’s journey wasn’t easy and she is still wrapping up her treatment, but already eagerly looking for ways to pay the kindness she received forward.

As a registered nurse with over 28 years of experience, Rachel Bem was familiar with how to deliver difficult news. However, in November 2008, she and her husband found themselves on the receiving end of that discussion, when she was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal breast cancer. From the outside looking in, many would say that Rachel sailed through her cancer treatment, but she would disagree. During this time, Rachel endured six rounds of intensive chemotherapy treatments, bilateral mastectomy, neuropathy, weakness and hair loss which challenged her ability and desire to find joy. “For me, losing my breast was not as difficult as losing my hair. I had long hair most of my life, so losing my hair was almost like losing a part of me. To cope with this loss, I bought three wigs in different colors and styles. I would enjoy watching my friends and co-workers faces each time I showed up sporting a new look; support and laughter is key,” said Rachel. With the support of her family, co-workers, closest friends, her faith and a little laughter, Rachel became a breast cancer warrior. She now volunteers her time to help others going through cancer treatment to find the laughter that helped her bravely navigate through the journey she faced nine years ago.

Ruth Cerda found herself in a living nightmare in the fall of 2000 when she received a diagnosis of Stage III, infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The very mention of her diagnosis would bring her to tears. Ruth Cerda, a mother of four, was typically upbeat and positive and very accustomed to being the backbone for her family. She found her spirit utterly crushed by the impact of the physical changes that cancer treatment caused. The nurses called her chemo “the red devil” and soon after starting her treatment she realized why. The nausea that ensued her chemo rounds was vicious. As the side effects of the chemo kicked in, as her hair fell out and her body changed shape, she felt her emotional well-being plummet and her self- image erode. The family who had always counted on her for support came through to return the love and support she had selflessly given throughout her life. Although the journey was trying, her family helped her find joy in the little things and encouraged her to focus on the “haves” in life rather than the “have nots”. Seventeen years have passed since Ruth’s diagnosis and she still embraces the life perspective she gained from her experience with breast cancer. She is, again, in the position to support others and bring joy to all those who meet her by sharing her story so that others may find the hope they need to make it through another day.

“When I was told I had cancer, I thought everything was going to end for me,” said Carmen Arroyo. Fortunately, Carmen had a little angel in her life, her four year old granddaughter, Elizabeth. When Elizabeth would visit, she would say, “Grandma, you have to get better.” That one little sentence along with the care she received from her daughter helped Carmen focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. Happy music made the days go by quickly and when she could, she would jump from her bed and dance to “La Bicicleta” by Carlos Vives and Shakira. She tackled one day at a time, seeking support from other women who had already undergone treatment. “I met amazing women that gave me the support and motivation to move forward and fight this battle,” Carmen recalled.

Bertha Sandoval has been living with cancer for over 18 years. Her first diagnosis came in August 2000 and in 2003, she was told that the cancer had spread into her bones and lungs. Bertha’s initial diagnosis and treatment significantly impacted her self-image. Without breasts, she felt she had lost her femininity. But with the support from her husband and encouragement from fellow cancer survivors, she conquered her insecurities and re-discovered her inner confidence. With years of first-hand experience with cancer, Bertha has made it her mission to help others impacted by this life altering disease. By listening and respecting the individual doubts and fears of others, she has found that she has been able to give them the support that helps them navigate their own journeys. Though Bertha is an inspiration to many of the women she meets through The Pink Ribbon Place support groups, she admits that even 18 years in, she still learns something at every support group and class she attends. Bertha is still in treatment and eternally grateful for her ability to see each day for what it is, a gift not promised to anyone.

One morning after showering, Rochelle Murphy looked into the mirror as she applied her antiperspirant. To her surprise, she found that her left breast was misshapen and was a completely different size from her right one. There was no pain, but she was concerned by this drastic change. She immediately began a series of medical appointments including: labs, scans, tests and blood draws. On February 8, 2018, Rochelle was diagnosed with triple negative infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Rochelle Murphy’s twin sister had been battling melanoma cancer that had metastasized two years prior. Though Rochelle wanted to share with her twin, she wanted to share only when she was well enough to handle the news. Although Rochelle’s sister endured harsh side effects during her treatment, she maintained her positivity, which gave Rochelle encouragement. When Rochelle heard that her sister’s clinical trial was working, she felt it was the right time to share her own diagnosis. Immediately upon opening up, Rochelle was showered with her sister’s love and support. After watching her sister face such harsh side effects, Rochelle feared the worst, but was pleasantly surprised when her side effects were mild. She lost all but a few tendrils of hair, but disguised her illness with vibrant hats and scarves. Her family, friends and supportive husband rallied around her and gave her the support that enabled her to maintain her positive outlook on life. “Through good and not so good days, I remain positive and energized by prayers and inspiring thoughts from family, friends and even from those I don’t even know,” said Rochelle. On April 7, Rochelle woke up at 4:45am to a great deal of activity in her chest. “It was like a barn dance and I didn’t know what to make of it,” she said. A few days later, after describing the sensation to her oncologist, he said, “Your chemo is working. The cancer was fighting to live, but your body is fighting back and I believe you are going to win.” These two little sentences held so much power for Rochelle and her family. They gave her the hope and strength that she needed to persevere.

In December 2014, Monica Price was diagnosed with 20 percent ER+, PR/HER2-, Stage 1B breast cancer in the right breast. In the hopes of reducing any chance of reoccurrence, Monica decided to have a double mastectomy. After immediate reconstruction and six rounds of Taxotere, Adriamycin and Cyclophosphamide chemotherapy, she closed one chapter and moved onto the next. Monica and her loved ones enjoyed twenty months of remission, but in February 2017, the cancer returned to a small lymph node just above her collarbone. This time, she received four rounds of chemotherapy, surgery and 32 radiation treatments. But in November 2017, Monica received even more difficult news. Her body had not taken to the treatment and the cancer had progressed even further, to her spine and was now triple negative. “I allowed myself to cry and be angry, but I didn’t stay there long. I slapped myself on the face and said, ‘OK, let’s get it together. I can do this! I’ve done it before and I can do this again,’” she said. Since Monica’s reoccurrence, she has been on five different treatments and in early September, she started clinical trial that her and her family pray is “the one”. Those who meet Monica and are fortunate enough to hear her story and sense her hope and courage, are forever-changed.