Looking at the women signing letters at the round tables at “a local country club” recently, Carolyn Brown recalled her journey that started in 2016 when she sensed something in the side of her sports bra. Only the “something” was in her breast … a lump. But that didn’t make sense. There was no family history of breast cancer and besides, she was only in her 20s with a five-year-old son, Jack.
And the diagnosis was grim. She had stage III triple-negative breast cancer.
In earlier days that diagnosis would have been a death sentence. But thanks to research and programs provided by the Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation‘s Celebrating Women Luncheon, that wasn’t to be the case.
Carolyn told the former Celebrating Women Luncheon chairs and committee members and the Foundation team including President Ben Renberg, Development VP Christina Goodman, Event Manager Angela Randall, Marketing and Communications Director Jen Huntsberry, Donor Engagement and Experience VP Sarah Cantu and Events and Annual Campaigns Manager Courtney Stoutimore that, thanks to the annual event’s 25 years of fundraising, awareness building and doing such things as letter signing, she and countless others had not only survived the disease, but their families have been comforted and supported throughout the journey.
At one point Carolyn pointed out how the Baylor Scott and White Dallas Foundation had provided the resources like Child Life specialist Cinda McDonald to help Jack through his mom’s battle.
Even to this day, Jack and his parents still regard the people who had helped them over the months of recovery as friends.
It was during Baylor Scott And White Dallas Foundation’s 2017 Celebrating Women Luncheon when Carolyn had taken her place at the podium on the stage surrounded by 20 healthcare providers who had been on her team. She explained that “these people had been the ones who had taken her through nine months of surgeries, chemo and radiation, resulting in her being cancer-free.”
That luncheon also followed the year that Linda Custard had “also successfully gone through a year of [breast cancer] treatments, and had a special glow about her as she and [keynote speaker] Jamie [Lee Curtis] embraced.”
Yes, the letter signers past and present have and are the source of hope, but they’re also to be celebrated at the 25th anniversary of Celebrating Women that will take place on Friday, October 18, at the Hilton Anatole.
Now serving as Silver Jubilee Presiding Chair, Linda and her Council of Honorary Co-Chairs (Pam Busbee, Christie Carter, Cindy Carter, Nancy Carter, Nancy Chapman, Marybeth Conlon, Laura Downing, Tucker Enthoven, Fredye Factor, Ola Fojtasek, Tucean Franks, Elizabeth Gambrell, Margo Goodwin, Dr. Karen Halsell, Randi Halsell, Lisa Longino, Sarah Losinger, Melissa Macatee, Sharon McCullough, Pat McEvoy, Peggy Meyer, Tincy Miller, Daffan Nettle, Helen Nixon, Debbie Oates, Pam Perella, Sue Porter, Michal Powell, Aileen Pratt, Carol Seay, Debbie Snell, Barbara Stuart, Tucean Webb and Gretchen Williams) report that the underwriting letters should be hitting mailboxes the first part of June. But if you’re already on summer hiatus, not to worry. The Celebrating Women’s website is open for business. In fact, Tom Thumb Albertsons has already signed up for its 20th year as presenting sponsor.
As for the keynote speaker, stay tuned. That’s to be revealed as soon as the ink has dried on the contract. In the meantime, when was the last time you had that mammogram?