Grace recalls her diagnosis, now almost eight years ago. Her symptoms were not the usual signs of itching, rashes, or pain. When she had a terrible fall in her bathroom, the emergency visit to the hospital warranted a screening that detected her cancer. After finding her blood pressure to be 170/110 — significantly higher than average — Grace’s physician immediately advised a series of tests.
Behind every survivor like me is a story that could have ended differently. When you invest in research, you are funding outcomes and giving families more time, more options, and more hope.
The tests came back clear. But Grace paused when the physician inquired about the last time she had received a mammogram. She had never had one. Two mammograms, two biopsies, one MRI, and a PET scan later, Grace was diagnosed with stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer.
With no family history of health issues, Grace was in utter disbelief at her diagnosis. Had she known, Grace would’ve taken preventive measures. Early detection wasn’t on her radar.
“Now, because of my experience, I make it a point of duty to keep it on as many people’s radars as possible,” Grace said. “I tell everyone that early detection is key to survival.” Though she regrets missing the chance to avoid toxic chemotherapy through regular screening, Grace is grateful for being here to tell her story.
The treatments that gave her a second chance at life did not appear by accident; they were tested and refined, due to years of research, funded by federal dollars. Any cuts to this funding will undo the progress that has been made.