Findlay's sixth annual - Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018 - The Courier
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Findlay’s sixth annual Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018
T2 R ACE FOR THE CUR E THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
I N C E L E B R AT I O N O F
‘We call ourselves survivors’
Honoree helped
bring Race for the
Cure to Findlay
By BRENNA GRITEMAN
LIFE EDITOR
It is not uncommon, in the midst
of a life-changing experience or in the
months or years following, to search
for answers why.
Looking back on her own breast
cancer diagnosis seven years ago —
and taking into consideration all that’s
happened since — Sandy Franks no
longer has to wonder.
“God knew what my path was,”
says Franks, who is the “In Celebra-
tion Of” honoree at this year’s Susan
G. Komen Race for the Cure.
The Findlay woman has been a
mentor to other women looking to
make sense of their diagnosis —
including her own daughter and one
of her closest friends — and has pro-
vided a shoulder to lean on for other
survivors still working through the
emotions of their cancer journey.
“I truly think that’s what my pur-
pose is,” she says.
But maybe Franks needed to be per-
sonally touched by cancer for another
reason, as she was one of about 10
people who raised their hands several
years back in commitment to bringing
See HONOREE, Page T3
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THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 R ACE FOR THE CUR E T3
Honoree “My commitment to Komen and
my alignment with their organization,
it truly is to promote the benefits and
the lifesaving capabilities of early
words and go through that again,” she
says of her daughter. “But she was a
trooper.”
Pessell, a neonatal nurse, under-
Continued from page T2 detection.” went a lumpectomy and 45 rounds of
This is a reality Franks learned chemotherapy. She is now doing well
the Race for the Cure to Findlay.
first-hand during her experience with with regular checkups, though Franks
She and that girlfriend mentioned
cancer in 2011, when a routine mam- notes that as a survivor, there is
above had just finished their first mogram changed her life. always a worry when a woman returns
Komen walk in Toledo, where they She says the diagnosis of DCIS for even a routine appointment.
were overcome by feelings of joy and (ductal carcinoma in situ) came from Still, she beams, “We call ourselves
gratitude “and what it meant to be left field, as she has absolutely no survivors.”
a survivor.” Franks whole-heartedly known family history of cancer and Since its arrival in Findlay, the
poured herself into the mission to had never felt a lump in her breast. Race for the Cure has become a family
bring the race to her hometown, with Further, Franks had retired just the effort. Franks’s granddaughter Cassie,
the outlook “let’s make this happen year prior as the North America direc- for instance, picks up survivors in a golf
and let’s make this totally awesome.” tor of human resources at Whirlpool cart and delivers them to the survivors’
The Race for the Cure made its Corp., where she had been a staunch tent. Grandchildren Alex and Lea, too,
debut in downtown Findlay in 2013, advocate for wellness, prevention and are constants at the event, as is Franks’s
drawing about 2,000 participants. By continuing care. other daughter, Dionne Neubauer.
contrast, the 2017 race — now staged at The ensuing biopsy was performed She feels it’s important for anyone
Blanchard Valley Hospital — attracted just shy of her 60th birthday, and affected by cancer to come see the
about 4,000. Last year, organizers Franks was in surgery for a partial spectacle and to celebrate life in gen-
proudly announced they had raised over lumpectomy at the OSU James Cancer eral — not just the survivors or those
$1 million since its inception. Hospital within three weeks of her who have been lost.
Franks chaired the local survivors’ diagnosis. “Because you never know when
activities for the first three years, then Due to her cancer’s early stage and you or a family member may be
served as race chairman for the follow- isolated state, Franks considers her- touched by this disease.”
ing two years. self “one of the lucky ones.” She was Survivors’ activities run from 8-9
“So for five years it’s just kind of able to keep all but one-quarter of her a.m., beginning with a parade led by
been my baby, so to speak.” she says. breast and, when a test of her lymph the “In Memory Of” family. This hour
She learned that she’d been chosen nodes came back clean, her previ- is particularly magical, Franks says, as
as this year’s “In Celebration Of” cancer ously scheduled radiation treatments people “line up on the streets and cheer
survivor during Findlay’s first survivors’ were canceled. Franks does, however, on the survivors.” Usually about 200
breakfast in June, and says she was continue to take the oral medication survivors attend these early festivities,
“totally surprised and humbled by it.” tamoxifen, intended to prevent breast which culminate in a dove release.
The experience in preparing for this cancer in high-risk women. Franks encourages anyone affected
role has further cemented her commit- Throughout her diagnosis, treat- by cancer in any way to turn out on
ment to “inspiring others to fight the ment and recovery, Franks came to race-day morning, even if they haven’t
good fight” and underscoring the impor- realize a universal truth about cancer: already signed up. Registration will
tance of early detection and the very real “It’s not just a disease that impacts still be available, or they can just come
possibility of survival it brings. you. It impacts your family.” take it all in. Photos provided
“I have embraced the role. I believe Three months after her diagnosis, “I think the sea of pink is what is SANDY FRANKS, OF FINDLAY, is pictured with grandchildren (from
in working toward that goal that one this truth was reinforced when a close the most incredible part of that morn- left) Lea, Alex and Cassie, who have volunteered and participated in every
day we have a world without breast friend was diagnosed with breast ing,” she says. “Everyone should have Findlay Race for the Cure. Franks is a seven-year breast cancer survivor
cancer. And I have decided my mantra cancer, followed immediately by a chance to see that.” and was instrumental in bringing the Komen event to the city.
is truly ‘to be inspiring,’” she says, Franks’s youngest daughter, Shauna
noting that the backs of her team’s Pessell. brennagriteman@thecourier.com Opposite page: Franks is pictured with daughters Dionne Neubauer (left)
shirts read #BeInspiring. “It was very hard to hear those Twitter: @BrennaGriteman and Shauna Pessell, also a breast cancer survivor.
T4 R ACE FOR THE CUR E THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
I N M E M O RY O F
She faced adversity ‘with a smile’
Honoree remembered as a loving mother and grandmother with unwavering faith in God
By SARA ARTHURS
STAFF WRITER
Lucy C. Macias’ daughters remem-
ber her as a person of strong faith,
with a life centered around family.
This year’s Findlay Race for the
Cure is in memory of Macias, who
died March 13, 2017, at 83, after being
diagnosed first with breast cancer and
later with pancreatic cancer.
“She had such a faith in God,” said
her daughter, Veronica Burkhardt.
Lucy and her husband, Frederick,
raised their seven children in a home
across the street from St. Wendelin
Catholic Church in Fostoria.
“We never could be late,” Bur-
khardt said.
She said her mother had friend-
ships with several priests, who would
bless her during her illness.
What did Burkhardt learn from
her mother? “Try and keep the faith.
See SMILE, Page T5
Provided photo
LUCY MACIAS is pictured with
her husband, Frederick, with
whom she celebrated her 60th
wedding anniversary the year
before her death. Lucy died March
13, 2017, and is this year’s “In
Memory Of” honoree at Findlay’s
Race for the Cure.
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THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 R ACE FOR THE CUR E T5
Smile Burkhardt said it wasn’t until three or four
hours into the surgery that surgeons realized
the cancer had in fact spread. At that point it
was too late to close the patient back up, so the
say goodbye to the grandkids and us in her own comment, “Lucy was always smiling.”
way,” Burkhardt said. And no one was a friend, she said: “They
At the end, medical professionals told the were all family.”
family their mother had a couple of hours to live. When the grandchildren arrived, their grand-
Continued from page T4 doctors did the best they could, removing the She ended up living several more hours than parents would go to “everything that they could.”
pancreas and constructing a new path of blood that, as “No one’s going to They teased Lucy that
Sometimes it’s hard.” vessels. Lucy had a scar across her abdomen, and tell Mom when she’s going she was “a fair weather
She recalled another family member had had to spend a few weeks in a rehab unit. She
said she was sorry Lucy was by herself when had already been a diabetic, and the loss of the
to go.” Lucy died the fol- “We made mistakes. fan” — always attending
lowing morning. Burkhardt’s son’s football
she received the news that her son had died. pancreas, which secretes the hormone insulin Burkhardt said her We were not angels. We games, but staying in the
Her mother’s response was, “I wasn’t by myself that controls blood sugar, made this worse. mother got involved in the were rambunctious. ... car with the air conditioner
... God was with me.” Still, Lucy fared better than expected. She Race for the Cure soon on, or a blanket, depending
Burkhardt noted that stress can affect health, gave herself insulin shots and checked her sugar. after her breast cancer But she loved us. We on weather. But she was
and it was not long after Burkhardt’s brother died Scans every six months were always clear. diagnosis. There wasn’t a always positioned where
that her mother’s pancreatic cancer returned. In early 2015, that changed. Lucy learned Findlay race at the time,
always thought if we did she could see. Burkhardt
“She handled it with grace. ... She handled it she had cancer in her lungs. Doctors suspected
better than we did,” Burkhardt said.
but she attended the something really stupid, we said her father still goes to
it might have been there for some time, but Toledo race every year. her great-niece’s volleyball
Daughter Susan Macias said that although dormant. Burkhardt said both of her could come home and tell and basketball games.
her mother, like everyone, encountered adversity Her doctor in Toledo referred her to an oncol- parents would “cheer all of As a grandmother she
in her life, she always managed it “with a smile” ogist in Findlay who was “just wonderful.” And, her.”
us on” who were running was “Oh, just doting. ...
and with a strong faith, and taught her children at that point, Lucy decided she wanted to have and walking. Seriously, she loved every
to do the same. chemotherapy. B u rk h a rdt ’s n ie c e
SUSAN MACIAS,
single one of them,” Susan
That adversity, along with loss, included a “She had three grandkids’ weddings coming interned at the Komen
DAUGHTER OF ‘IN MEMORY OF’
said.
long health journey. up,” Burkhardt said. foundation, and then
HONOREE LUCY MACIAS
Although she had seven
Lucy was first diagnosed with breast cancer Lucy tolerated chemotherapy well at first. In Burkhardt herself got children, “she never played
in early 2009, when she was in her 70s. Several April 2016 she ended up in the hospital, though, involved. She is now the co-chairwoman of the favorites.”
years later, she got pancreatic cancer. with a mass in her stomach. It turned out there Toledo Race for the Cure. “We made mistakes. We were not angels. We
She went through a lumpectomy for breast was some leaking from past surgeries, which “Mom believed in giving back,” Burkhardt were rambunctious. ... But she loved us,” Susan
cancer, then radiation. caused sepsis, in which the body has an over- said. said. “We always thought if we did something
“Her sister had passed away from breast whelming response to an infection. She said her mother taught English to really stupid, we could come home and tell her.”
cancer in her early 40s,” Burkhardt said. She survived that, too. migrants and students at Fostoria High School, She said her mother had dreams for all of
That sister, Feliciana Frias, was a Komen “She was just so strong,” Burkhardt said. as well as Vietnamese youths. her children. She recalled her mother, “a hard
race honoree in 2015. Burkhardt said Lucy had But at that point, the doctors said Lucy’s body She was also heavily involved at St. Wendelin worker,” saving enough money for Susan to go to
seen what her sister went through during che- had been through enough, and it was time to parish, where she was a eucharistic minister and New York City on a class trip. There, Susan met
motherapy, and always said stop chemotherapy. She sang in the funeral choir. all kinds of different people, and heard many dif-
she didn’t want to experi- was given a prognosis of “Oh yes ... she loved to sing,” Burkhardt said. ferent languages. It changed her life, leading to
ence that herself. In the “She got to say goodbye six months to live, in April “She loved to dance, too.” her studying overseas in Russia and the Ukraine,
1970s, when Feliciana was 2016, and died in March Her parents used to go to dances together. At and joining the military.
sick, there wasn’t as much to the grandkids and us in
2017. Burkhardt’s son’s wedding, in November 2015, “It was my first trip outside of Fostoria. ...
medical knowledge and her own way.” She was still going to “They would be out there, dancing.” She had worked extra hard to make sure I could
her treatment was “kind of activities, taking a wheel- “You could tell that they just moved together. go,” Susan said.
experimental.” VERONICA BURKHARDT, chair or walker, through- ... Holding hands, dancing, letting go, spinning. Lucy would always give people compliments.
Lucy decided to undergo DAUGHTER OF ‘IN MEMORY OF’ out her illness, and it was ... They did love to dance,” she said. Burkhardt said now, she will find herself walking
what’s called a Whipple sur- HONOREE LUCY MACIAS only in the last couple of The couple met at a dance, in fact. Frederick down the street and say, “That’s a nice shirt” and
gery for pancreatic cancer, months that she really and Lucy celebrated their 60th anniversary the think, “Oh my God, I’m my mom.”
instead of chemotherapy. declined, Burkhardt said. year before Lucy died, when she was receiving
In this surgery, doctors She lived long enough to see her newest great- hospice care. They had a small celebration with Arthurs: 419-427-8494
remove the part of the pancreas affected by grandchild born, dying a few weeks later. their family and “a few very close friends.” saraarthurs@thecourier.com
cancer. Lucy wanted to die at home, and “She got to Burkhardt said everyone who met her would Twitter: @swarthurs
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T6 R ACE FOR THE CUR E THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
Going the extra mile
Findlay woman completes second
3-Day with eye on further fundraising
By BRENNA GRITEMAN This summer, Emily returned
LIFE EDITOR to Novi, Michigan, for her second
3-Day. But this time, she walked
With two Susan G. Komen 3-Days alongside Lori and her sister-in-law,
under her belt (perhaps walking Heather Wolfe.
shoes would be more appropriate Another huge difference from 2017’s
here), Emily Wolfe has walked 120 effort? Emily had given birth just four
miles in just six days. months prior to this year’s walk.
And that’s not counting the miles A heat index of 106 degrees only
and miles (and miles) she walked added to the challenge, and race orga-
training for each event. nizers seriously considered closing
While the mileage is impressive the route.
enough, consider this: Emily has “Lori really kept me going this
achieved a lifetime $10,000 donation year,” Emily says. “I just kept hear-
for the Susan G. Komen Foundation. ing her say, ‘I’m walking it. I’m doing
She’s also already signed up for this.’ And I’m like, ‘Well if you’re
next summer’s 3-Day, with an aim to going to finish it, I’m doing it, too.’”
raise another $10,000 between now Already with an eye on next
and next August. year’s trek, Emily is hatching some
Emily, of Findlay, walked her first creative fundraising ideas that will
3-Day in summer 2017. Her mother- be announced on Facebook in the
in-law’s cancer diagnosis in 2015 had coming months.
left Emily feeling helpless yet moti- Her 8-year-old daughter, Ava, has
vated to make a difference, and she also contributed to her monumental
began fundraising ahead of the gruel- donation by hosting regular summer-
ing 60-mile walk time lemonade stands. Emily says Ava
By the time Emily set off on that is already planning her lemonade sales
first 20-mile-a-day journey, Lori for next spring and summer.
Wolfe had undergone cancer treat- Donations to Emily’s personal fun-
ment and was considered a survivor. draising effort can be made online at
But Emily was determined. www.the3day.org/goto/emilywolfe .
Photo provided
EMILY WOLFE, of Findlay, right, recently completed her second Susan
G. Komen 3-Day in Novi, Michigan. The major fundraiser challenges
participants to walk 60 miles over three days, and this summer Emily was
joined by her sister-in-law Heather Wolfe, left, and her mother-in-law Lori
Wolfe, who is a breast cancer survivor.
THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 R ACE FOR THE CUR E T7
Taking Strides
to Eliminate
Breast Cancer
Schedule your mammogram
today at one of our locations!
Ask us about our new 3D tomosynthesis digital mammography!
419.423.5323
WOMAN
W I S E
Woman Wise Mammography
EasternWoods Outpatient Center
15900 Medical Drive South, Findlay
Monday - Friday, 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Tuesday evening, appointments until 7 PM
Mammography Services
Bluffton Hospital
139 Garau Street, Bluffton
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Additional appointment times available by request
Mammography Services
Ottawa Medical & Diagnostic Center
1740 North Perry St., Ottawa
Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Patients come to The Armes Family Cancer Care Center from Services Available
many counties across Ohio. They could go anywhere to receive at the Cancer Center
treatment but they choose our experienced, connected team. Medical Oncology Services
Radiation Therapy
Patients who do their homework know each type of cancer has Outpatient Infusion Therapy
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the same cancer care in Findlay as at prominent institutions Cancer Care Clinical Trials
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Your health is our priority. No matter what your cancer Nutritional Counseling
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Questions, please call: 419.423.5522 knowledgeable care and exceptional service. Clinical Pharmacy
T8 R ACE FOR THE CUR E THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
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THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 R ACE FOR THE CUR E T9
Get in the Komen spirit
with scenes from 2017!
Photos by KEVIN BEAN / The CourierT10 R ACE FOR THE CUR E THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
Photo provided
Committee for the Cure
The committee for Findlay’s sixth annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure includes (front, from left) Bri Hottinger, Dana Patterson, Pat Swisher, Lauren Gerdler, (back, from left) Allen
Clark, Ron Knopf Jr., Theresa Thomas, Sarah Gulch, Amy Scherf, Audrey Beining, Beth Marshall, Sue Pasche, Emily Wolfe and Ryan Shoemacher. Not pictured are Tara Thompson, Cindi Grant,
Danielle Perkins, Tom Susdorf, Bill Zachrich, Kathy Frysinger and Mike McGuire.THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018 R ACE FOR THE CUR E T11
The art of giving back
Survivor’s annual craft they’re helpful,” she said. “We are lucky. If you live or work
in Hancock County, you can use those services.”
Bohn, who is both a hairdresser and a Realtor, is also
shows support the agency a crafter. She and her husband, Dave, started out making
painted wooden decorations of a snowman on a sleigh with
that once supported her a lighted Christmas tree.
“I started hearing complaints from other crafters: ‘Why
are these craft shows all crammed into fall?’ and hearing
By JEANNIE WILEY WOLF the wish for something more spread out over the spring-
STAFF WRITER time,” she said.
She described that first show in 2014 as “nerve-wrack-
BLOOMDALE — Clare Bohn wanted to somehow give ing” but also “really, really good.”
back after her battle with breast cancer. “I was so afraid. I didn’t want a bunch of crafters staring
The answer came in the form of a craft show. at me going, ‘where’s all the people?’” said Bohn.
For the past four years, Bohn has organized the Bloom- But the weather was good and about 600 people
dale Spring Arts and Craft Show. In that time, over $9,000 attended that year.
has been collected for Cancer Patient Services, an agency The show has continued to grow annually, and a car
which provides free support to individuals who have been show was added two years ago.
diagnosed with cancer and live or work in Hancock County. “I love cars, and that can also help to draw people.
“I love Cancer Patient Services, and I think any way And the guys can go look at the cars and the women can
you can give back in life is good,” she said. shop,” said Bohn.
The fifth annual event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 There are also live music, food trucks and a silent auc-
p.m. May 18, 2019, at the Bloomdale Community Center, tion featuring items donated by businesses and individuals.
404 S. Main St. It’s a month later than normal, because Last year, there was also a cupcake sale. And someone who Photo provided
Bohn is hopeful that a later date will bring better weather has lost their life to cancer is always honored, she noted. CLARE BOHN organized the Bloomdale Spring Arts and Craft Show
for the show, which offers booths both inside and outside. Bohn said it takes many people to make the day a success. several years ago as a way to raise money for Cancer Patient Services, an
The Bloomdale woman said she’s proud of the fact the “I couldn’t do it without the help of people who come agency which helped her during her experience with breast cancer. She
event features all handmade, homemade items. out and volunteer, every girlfriend, every person I even will host the fifth annual sale in May 2019.
“Our craft show is the only one in the area that has just think is a friend, my daughters, my family members,” she
crafters. And this is something I thought was really impor- said, adding the Van Buren Boy Scouts troop also helps
tant, because I don’t like when I go to a craft show and I out each year.
see Avon and Tupperware. Those aren’t crafts,” she said. She said her own experience with cancer has prompted
Bohn also tries to attract crafters who sell their items her to re-evaluate her life.
for $100 or less. “In a way, I think cancer is a blessing because it makes us
“We have pottery and glassware and painted things think about our mortality and it makes us think about what
and beads, all kinds of wooden crafters. It’s a neat variety.” we can do differently or makes us think how we can help
Bohn decided the event would be a fundraiser for CPS
because she used the agency’s services when she had
our kids. We can have a chance to plan and think about it,”
Bohn said. “So even though this is a scary and crazy thing,
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cancer about five years ago. During her treatment — which
included surgery, chemotherapy and radiation — CPS pro-
it’s also a gift, I think. It makes you think, ‘what can I do
different?’ And that’s the whole thing with this craft show.” ,)1%,*,%11-(
vided her with a wig and nutritional drinks and reimbursed
her for mileage back and forth to Michigan for treatment. Wolf: 419-427-8419 ;gehd]l]>Yeadq@Yaj;Yj]
“This is a great organization, just a lot of different ways jeanniewolf@thecourier.com
:AFaf\dYq T12 R ACE FOR THE CUR E THE COURIER
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018
After breast cancer, a tattoo
helped her reclaim her body.
Now she’s helping others.
BY SARAH NAGEM me feel a little bit sexier,” Phillips said. During the mastectomy, doctors
THE NEWS & OBSERVER Cancer and its treatments can inserted tissue expanders “that feel
wreak havoc on like cement bas-
APEX, N.C. (AP) — Petrina a woman’s body, ketballs” to pre-
Hamm had been through so much: A from hair loss “The scars are a constant pare Hamm for
diagnosis of breast cancer, although to joint pain and implants. After
she had no family history of the dis- forc e d me no -
reminder of everything reconstructive
ease. Six months of chemotherapy. pause. But the they’ve been through. So surgery, doctors
Surgeries to remove her ovaries and psychological toll took skin off of
her right kidney. A double mastec- — depression, instead of scars being the her hip to create
JULIA WALL / Via the Associated Press
tomy and then reconstructive surgery. FOUR-PLUS HOURS after Petrina Hamm walked into the Apex Tattoo
Hamm was grateful to be cancer-
loss of libido and reminder, they are going nipples, which Factory, she had a decorative tattoo covering the scars from her
feeling less femi- she later got mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Through Art from Scars, Hamm
free, but she hated looking in the nine — can be to have awesome art.” tattooed w ith
mirror and seeing the scars around hopes to provide the opportunity for more women to get tattoos that make
just as daunting. color to make them feel confident in their bodies after cancer.
her breast implants. Hamm said it can TATTOO ARTIST them look more
“Having two children and having MATTHEW “JAX” MYERS
be much like post- realistic. Carolina, but right away she started Hamm told him about her nonprofit.
nursed them, I liked my breasts,” said
traumatic stress Friends joked getting applications from women out- “I instantly wanted to help,”
Hamm, 45, of Apex, North Carolina.
“I mean, these are much less droopy, disorder. that Hamm was side the state. Myers said. “I wanted to be a part
but they’re not really mine.” Hamm, a stay-at-home mom with getting a free boob job. But she missed This isn’t the first tattoo Hamm of it. ... The scars are a constant
Hamm wanted to reclaim her body, two biological children and two step- her old breasts, which she affection- has gotten since her diagnosis. She reminder of everything they’ve been
to put a final stamp on her cancer jour- children, wasn’t experiencing any ately called Lucy and Ethel. She calls went to Apex Tattoo Factory in Janu- through. So instead of scars being
ney. So she decided to get a tattoo that symptoms when she was diagnosed the new ones “Real Housewives” after ary to get a fish and her wedding date the reminder, they are going to have
covers her chest like a lacy bra. in May 2016. She had planned to have the TV show. on her wrist, because her husband col- awesome art.”
But first, she set out to help other a lumpectomy, but doctors found more Hamm said she was fortunate to lects freshwater fish. Phillips said she opted for a double
breast cancer survivors “feel more cancerous tumors, and the disease had have good health insurance, but medi- She also dyed her a hair a few mastectomy instead of radiation two
beautiful and confident after every- spread to her lymph nodes. She opted cal bills piled up. And she realized that times, once with “mermaid” pastel years ago for “peace of mind” that her
thing they’ve been through.” She for a double mastectomy as a precau- many women can’t afford decorative colors. The chemotherapy turned cancer won’t return.
started Art from Scars, a nonprofit tionary measure. tattoos, which can cost hundreds of her once-straight hair curly. For her, “Even if I didn’t do the tattoo, I
that connects women with tattoo art- Doctors also removed Hamm’s dollars. it’s about living a “I-do-what-I-want would go on living, and I wouldn’t let
ists and helps cover the cost. right kidney after they found a mass. There are other groups that help lifestyle.” it bring me down,” she said.
The group’s first recipient, 55-year- They later removed her ovaries to connect cancer survivors with tattoo Matthew “Jax” Myers, who owns At the same time, she added, “I
old Debbie Phillips, was set to get her prevent the disease from spreading artists, including P.ink, which hosts Apex Tattoo Factory, spent hours on want to feel pretty.”
tattoo at Apex Tattoo Factory, where there. special events at cities around the an early-spring evening drawing the To learn more about the nonprofit,
Hamm got hers earlier. “You ask yourself why, and there’s country. Hamm wanted Art From intricate design on Hamm’s chest. He or to donate, go to artfromscars.org
“For me, I think it’s going to make really no answer,” Hamm said. Scars to focus on women in North did Phillips’ tattoo the next day, after or search for the group on Facebook.
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31st
7 a.m.: Team tailgate begins 8:30 a.m.: Opening ceremony
7-11 a.m.: Kids’ Zone 9 a.m.: 5K run/walk
7-8:30 a.m.: On-site registration available ($45 for 9:30 a.m.: 1.4-mile Family Fun Walk Old Mill Stream Craft Show
those who did not preregister) 10 a.m.: Race results
7:30-10:30 a.m.: Local sponsor tents open 10:30 a.m.: Medal distribution and awards ceremony Saturday, October 6, 2018 • 10am-5pm
7:30-11:30 a.m.: Survivor and Forever Thriver Tent 11 a.m.: Kids’ Dash Sunday, October 7, 2018 • 11am-4pm
open Hancock County Fair Grounds • 1017 E Sandusky St • Findlay, OH 45840
8 a.m.: Survivor ribbon photo All events begin at Blanchard Valley Hospital, 1900 Check out website for $1 Off Coupons!
8:15 a.m.: Survivor parade S. Main St. Ample Free Parking • Pony Rides • Demonstrations • Delicious Food • Entertainment • RAIN or SHINE
419-436-1457 facebook.com/cloudproductions www.cloudshows.biz
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DIAGNOSIS
Signs and
screenings
There are a number of ways doctors can
test for breast abnormalities, including
simple physical exams and family history
assessments to X-rays and other radiation
screenings to find a tumor, pinpoint a
problem area or determine how far cancer
has spread.
The testing will start with basic skin puckering or dimpling; a nipple
exams and mammograms. If your turned inward; fluid coming from the
doctor finds anything abnormal in nipple; or scaly, red or swollen skin.
the regular screenings, she may order
additional tests such as ultrasounds,
MRIs, blood tests or a biopsy. Self-Exams
Checking yourself can be part of
a healthy breast regimen. According
Signs of Breast Cancer to the NCI, self-exams have not been aging and taking birth control all can exams, the breast tissue can change breast, which can find tumors that
found to help reduce the number of cause the breasts to feel different. from year to year; your doctor will can’t be felt with physical exams.
Although cancer presents dif- determine if further testing is needed.
deaths from breast cancer, but it can Mammograms can also find small
ferently in different people, the During this time, you can also talk
National Cancer Institute listed a offer some benefit; many women find Clinical Breast Exams deposits of calcium that may indicate
lumps on their own, though these fre- about your family history with your breast cancer. Doctors also may use
number of warning signs for which During an annual physical, your doctor, which could be indicative of
women should be on the alert and quently are not indicative of cancer. doctor will examine your breasts for it after breast cancer has been found
cancer risk. to determine how far it’s spread. The
contact their doctor if these appear. The breast tissue can have cysts and lumps or other changes. She will also
They include: a lump or thickening other lumps. It’s important to remem- feel around the breast and test the medical community recommends reg-
in or near the breast or underarm; ber breast tissue changes during men- lymph nodes, which are one of the first Mammograms ular mammograms for women age 40
changes in a breast’s size or shape; struation and menopause; pregnancy, places cancer spreads. As with self- A mammogram is an X-ray of the and older.
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WHO’S AFFECTED
Male Breast Cancer
It’s rare, but men have breast tissue and can
have breast cancer. Like breast cancer in women,
early diagnosis plays a significant role in a
good outcome. And like the disease in women,
treatment generally includes surgery to remove
the affected tissue, chemotherapy and radiation
therapy.
Causes common type of male breast cancer.
Lobular carcinoma, which is cancer
The Mayo Clinic reports that sci-
ence is still unclear on the causes of that starts in the milk-producing
male breast cancer. We do know that glands, is rare, since men have very few
everyone of all genders is born with milk-producing glands. Other types of
some breast tissue, which consists male breast cancer are Paget’s disease,
of milk-producing glands known as which affects the nipple, and inflamma-
lobules, ducts that move milk to the tory breast cancer.
nipples, and fat. At puberty, women Symptoms and Treatment
develop more breast tissue; men do Symptoms of breast cancer in men
not, but they retain what they were may include a painless lump or thick-
born with. ening in the breast tissue, nipple dis-
There is evidence that a family his- charge or changes to the nipple, such as
tory of breast cancer can make men redness, scaling or turning inward, or
more likely to get the disease. Gene
changes to the skin covering the breast.
mutations, particularly in BRCA2,
Diagnosis and treatment for male
increase a man’s risk of both breast
breast cancer includes clinical breast
and prostate cancer. Other risk factors
exams, imaging tests that allow the
are older age; exposure to estrogen;
doctor to identify problem areas and
a genetic syndrome known as Kline-
felter’s syndrome, in which boys are abnormalities or a biopsy, when a
born with more than one copy of the doctor extracts tissue from the suspi-
X chromosome; liver and testicular cious area to test if it’s cancer. Because
disease; and obesity. male breast cancer is often hormone-
related, hormone therapy may be part
Types of a treatment regimen; surgical treat-
There are several types of male ment could include a full mastectomy
breast cancer, according to the Mayo or removal of a few lymph nodes that
Clinic. Cancer that begins in the milk would be the most likely place for
ducts, or ductal carcinoma, is the most cancer to spread.
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