Cecile Bedor  Cecile is Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development for the City of St. Paul and the mother of Maddy, 15 and Sean, 12.  She was diagnosed last February, two months after a normal mammogram in December 2007. She writes, “I never do self-exams, finding a lump was just a fluke.”  Later that month, she was at the doctor’s for something unrelated and in passing, mentioned feeling a lump in her breast. Her physician did an exam, thought it was nothing but recommended, a bit half-heartedly, an ultrasound just in case.  They were both shocked to learn it was cancer.  When asked about hobbies, a very busy Cecile could only speculate,  “In about five years, when I have more time, I plan to enjoy running, biking, kayaking and reading”.

Angela Burkhalter Last year at our Sense of Style Show, Angela had just finished chemotherapy treatment for her second bout with breast cancer. Angela first discovered a lump the size of a golf ball in her breast five years ago. She was told that the lump was probably hormonal and would resolve after her next menstrual cycle. Angela had to fight for a second opinion and a few days later, she was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma. She had four rounds of chemotherapy followed by a lumpectomy, followed by more chemotherapy and radiation. Angela co-manages the Minority Business Development and Retention Program for the Department of Planning & Economic Development for the city of Saint Paul. In March 2006, Angela decided have a double mastectomy and reconstruction. It was then that she was diagnosed with lobular carcinoma in her other breast. Following this diagnosis, she again had chemotherapy and is now on Arimidex. Angela writes that she is now cancer free and has begun her reconstructive process. Her mottos are: “Don’t Get Mad, Get Smart” and “God’s Got This, He Ain’t Thru With Me Yet!” She enjoys bike riding, playing golf, listening to live music, attending the theatre and spending time with her family and friends, especially her 9-year-old daughter, Angelica.

Cheryl Daniel Cheryl is the mother of Craig, Chelsey and Chavod and enjoys reading and arts and crafts.  In June 2006, at age 43, her doctor found a lump during her annual physical exam.  She had a lumpectomy, radiation and chemotherapy.  She writes “My faith in God, support from my family, friends and co-worker and support from African American Breast Cancer Association has given me the strength to fight this battle.” 

Stacey DeFries Stacey enjoys playing softball, camping and spending time with her family, especially her daughter, Jacey.  In 2005 she found a lump but after a mammogram, found that it was nothing.  In 2006 her doctor wanted her to have another mammogram to make sure everything was still OK.  However, this time the mammogram found an area on her left side that warranted more attention. A biopsy detected DCIS. She then had a double mastectomy and reconstruction and did not have to have chemotherapy or radiation because the cancer had not spread.  Because of her own early detection she is a strong advocate of breast self-examination and having an open relationship with your doctors. “Talking has been my self-counseling.  This is my way of getting my emotions out, while bringing the awareness of others. Age doesn’t matter any more.”

Rhonda Feist Rhonda is engaged to Gary and works in insurance and accounting.  She was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer one year ago at 43.  She had a single mastectomy and reconstructive surgery.  Like many people diagnosed with breast cancer, Rhonda has no family history of the disease.    When she isn’t working, Rhonda enjoys riding her motorcycle. 

Edith Gay Edith is the senior supervisor of the Minneapolis Convention Center.  She enjoys crafts and sewing.  She and her husband Ken are the parents of three boys, Danny, Chris and Michael.  Six years ago, Edith discovered a lump under her arm, and was diagnosed with stage II-III breast cancer, which was treated with a bilateral mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy.  She had a recurrence last year at age 52.  We are happy to have her back at the Sense of Style show, walking the runway.

Sandra Hale Sandra enjoys music, movies, cooking and live entertainment.  She was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in her right breast one year ago at age 50.  She is connected to the Breast Cancer Association through Sisters in Harmony. She has four children and works as a loan administrator.  She writes “My faith in God, support from my family, friends and co-workers and support from the African-American Breast Cancer Alliance, has given me the strength to fight this battle.”

Susan LaGow Susan is from North Mankato.  She attended our conference last fall and is committed to doing whatever she can to help combat this disease.  She was first diagnosed in 1998 and has had two recurrences: one in 2002 and most recently in 2006.  She is currently battling metastatic breast cancer in the liver.  She is grateful to her family and friends for their support and writes, “Sometimes I truly believe it is easier for those of us experiencing the disease than it is for those who love and support us.” Susan’s mission is to make sure her daughters, sons, grandchildren and friends never have to hear “You have breast cancer.”

Steven Moore This is Steven’s sixth year as a model.  He is 51 and enjoys writing and gardening and works as a counselor.  Steven’s wife, Christine, discovered a lump on his chest five years ago.  Diagnosed with breast cancer, he had a lumpectomy.  As a man, he initially felt embarrassed to talk about his diagnosis and treatment, but is now comfortable with sharing his story. His faith is a source of strength and he is grateful for every opportunity to experience another day of life. Steven wants to thank his wife, daughters and close friends for supporting him through his journey of recovery. 

Shirley Neal Shirley was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago at age 62. She had a lumpectomy, 8 chemotherapy treatments and 36 radiation treatments.  She writes, “Going through this was very hard but I kept telling myself, I have cancer, cancer doesn’t have me!” She enjoys Bible study and cooking.  She and her husband Marion live in Minneapolis. 

Geraldine Nolan While many Minnesotans move south when they get older, Geraldine Nolan moved to Alaska.  When she retired at 68 after working as a nurse at the VA Hospital for 35 years, Geraldine moved to Alaska and ran a mobile home park and sold real estate for 15 years.  She is now 87 and lives in Edina.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and treated with a lumpectomy and radiation.  Her hobbies are reading, sewing, volunteering, and traveling.

Kathy Phifer Kathy was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2004.  She would like to thank her husband, Renee, who always tells her to “fight” and even underwent “sympathy” back surgery the same week she started chemotherapy. She also wants to thank her “guardian angel,” Betty Saunders.  Betty took Kathy to her first chemotherapy appointment and continued to accompany her even after Kathy’s husband had mended.  She lost her sister to breast cancer three years ago.  Kathy and Renee have two children and she enjoys flower arranging, singing and sewing.

Betty Sanders Betty has been in every BCAA Sense of Style Show, all seven of them, and she continues to rock the runway!  She is a 15-year survivor who was first diagnosed at age 37 and again 1½ years later.  Betty has been sharing her breast cancer journey with other women since that time, both professionally and personally.  She credits her recovery to an aggressive pursuit of knowledge and the ability to make informed choices, along with her faith and the loving support of family and friends.  Betty is Project Director of the Sisters in Harmony Coalition at Southside Community Health Services.  Betty's 30-year-old daughter, Runeka, is her best friend, sister and daughter.  Betty has been married to her husband, Larry, for 19 years.

Deb Schubert Deb is a two-time survivor.  She was first diagnosed with breast cancer at age 43 and again a year ago at age 48.  Deb continues to be amazed and grateful for the strength and support of her family and community and credits her faith in God for helping her get through this experience.  Deb is married to Jeff and her occupation is being “Mom” to her two sons, Nick and Jake.  She is very active and enjoys skiing, rollerblading, biking, and scrapbooking.  There is no history of breast cancer in Deb’s family. 

Kelly Jo Siseman Kelly was diagnosed a little over a year ago at age 37 with stage I cancer.  She had a lumpectomy followed by a bi-lateral mastectomy and reconstruction.  She has two cousins that have been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Kelly has two children, Jamie and Ian, and is married to Jonathan.  She is a retail manager with Target and her hobbies are reading, gardening and baking. Kelly’ advice is “React fast!  Each woman is completely different and there are no wrong answers. Stay strong, it gets better!” 

Micki Dierks Thompson Micki was diagnosed in 2000 at age 32 with intraductal carcinoma. Her mother, maternal grandmother, and grandmother’s sister have also been diagnosed with breast cancer.  For 12 years she served as team captain of the “Early Detector Inspectors” for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She has two children, Marki and Mitch, and is married to Loren.  She works for a national environmental and engineering consulting firm.  She is a self-proclaimed “soccer-mom” and enjoys reading and independent films.  She says, “I am living proof and truly believe that early detection of breast cancer can save lives.  I am blessed to be a part of a fantastic group of survivors, who I consider to be my extended family.” 

Jenny Tuccitto Jenny, a 32 year-old physical therapist, was diagnosed with stage II B infiltrating ductal carcinoma last December.  As the mother of two young children, Ty 4 and Cecilia 2, having cancer has taught Jenny to value every moment and she never misses an opportunity to spend time with her family.  She writes, “I feel that my story is a story of survival, learning and life improvement.  I completed chemo at the end of June and look forward to living a healthier life from this point forward!”  Jenny and her husband, Bobby, live in Stillwater.  There is no family history of breast cancer.  

JoAnn Williams JoAnn is an RN who works in the area of blood and marrow transplant.  She attended the conference last year while going through chemotherapy.  After 20 years of caring for patients going through treatment for cancer, JoAnn discovered a whole new level of strength and compassion when she went through chemotherapy herself.  She continued to work while in chemotherapy and radiation treatment, attending to patients while bald.  She writes “I was able to share with them and let them know that I really did know how hard it could be sometimes …but that they too could make it through and someday would help another cancer patient by saying: This is what happened to me”.   JoAnn has a 21-year-old daughter, Amanda.

The BCAA would like to thank all of our models for participating in our conference today and for being willing to share their stories. Their positive attitude, their love for family and friends and the joy with which they live their lives are an inspiration.