Women in Profile – Breast Cancer Awareness
Every week we work with outstanding professional women, and with this issue we have decided to do our part in spotlighting some of these fascinating women. On the front cover are just a few of the many women that we have met, and on the inside you will find short profiles on each of these women. In the future months we will be doing more profiling of women from different walks of life.
Chen Wang
Corporate Counsel & IP Leader
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
302-983-4629
Chen Wang is an intellectual property law attorney and manager of a staff of IP attorneys and paralegal in DuPont’s Legal department based in Wilmington, Delaware.
Chen was first personally touched by breast cancer through her mother’s diagnosis, which was a shock for the entire family as there had been no family history, and given the low statistics for breast cancer in Asians. Her ob/gyn suggested that Chen obtain a baseline mammogram while her mother recovered from a single mastectomy. On the day her mother completed her chemotherapy treatment, Chen was advised of her own breast cancer diagnosis, at age 36. Chen focused on her positive prognosis through surgical treatment, and the aspect that she was getting a new figure, to embrace her double mastectomy and reconstructive surgeries with optimism. The knowledge al recovery minimized fear of the unknown. For the first time, she willingly accepted help from her friends and family, especially her former in-laws and her sister.
Through surviving breast cancer, Chen found a desire to contribute to beating the disease, a renewed appreciation of her family and friends, and a focus on the daily positive little things. Chen walked into the new office location of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition in Wilmington four and one-half years ago with the desire to volunteer, and currently mentors breast cancer patients and serves as the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. She chooses to see the positive side of life’s daily challenges.
Michelle E. Harris
302.764.4947
On April 22, 1974 after a three-year fight, a ten-year-old girl lost her mother to breast cancer. She had no idea that 35 years later that she would be faced with the same diagnosis; but on February 4, 2008, Michelle Harris was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast.
Faced with many challenges, one at the top of the list was sharing the news with her family and friends. Also, Michelle is an independent, analytical individual who does it on her own – researching a problem and usually not asking those close to her for help. However, without a clear idea of what she would be up against and knowing that this journey could not be taken by herself, she told her family. After the tears and fears, she knew that her family and friends were ready for the challenge and prepared to fight with her for her life. And that’s exactly what they did.
The lesson learned for Michelle is that life isn’t a solo road trip. Instead, God places people in our lives for the good and bad times and amazingly people rise to the challenge.
So here she stands 18 months later, after lumpectomies, mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstructive surgery with her faith stronger then ever and a true sense of gratefulness.
For Michelle, the journey has not been easy, but it’s her journey and she has managed to keep her head up realizing that all things work together for good, even cancer.
Linda Houben
Customer Service Representative
INVISTA S.à r.l.
Wilmington, DE
302-998-0911
I like to think of Linda as the girl next door. The type of person you’d like to have as your neighbor, sister and friend. She works hard, has a full-time job, and is just about finished raising two great kids. While she’s forever grateful for being a “Breast Cancer Survivor,” she’s more interested in what’s next. There’s a story about living life, but holding onto the fork. When the dishes are cleared, you’re told to hold onto the fork because of what’s to come for dessert.
From the moment Linda found the lump on her breast, she just knew it was cancer. Her first thought was ‘na, not me’. Always trying to talk herself out of knowing what it was. There wasn’t any denial it was just how could her parents experience another child having cancer? Linda received her guidance through her sister, Nancy. Linda didn’t want to search the internet as most information was negative.
Thinking there were no gray areas, Linda addressed the ‘black and white’ situation, deciding to take care of ‘it’, the sooner the better. Within 6 weeks, surgery was complete and her first chemo treatment was under her belt. The worst experience for a woman is losing her hair but the love from family, friends and a supportive work group, you don’t even know it’s gone… except for the draft!
My only regret is that I didn’t know that Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition was available to me. I didn’t know they were around until about a year after treatment, I read about them in a magazine. I immediately called and signed up to be a mentor. Sharing your life’s experience and hearing other’s share theirs is truly fulfilling.
Linda enjoys reading, going to the movies and visiting close friends in Chicago and Indianapolis.
Cindy DelGiorno
Cindy DelGiorno was 34 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was six weeks away from her wedding to local filmmaker Gordon DelGiorno. Once the lumpectomy was over and the pathology reports were in, she decided to put off any other treatment until after the wedding. During the wedding weekend events, there was no talk about cancer. A health and fitness enthusiast, Cindy was humbled by this new role as a “cancer patient”. As the chemotherapy treatments progressed, Cindy suffered several debilitating side effects. After four years of working toward a graduate degree, she was one internship away from completing it. Within a few weeks of chemotherapy, Cindy took a “leave of absence”, unable to continue working as a teacher, and also as the school counseling intern at a local private school.
When treatment was over, Cindy and Gordon were relieved to find out chemotherapy did not ruin her fertility. That summer, they ran several 5Ks and Cindy took a new teaching position. They both became very active with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Every year, Gordon’s production company, Filmbrothers Productions, links an event to a fundraiser for the DBCC. Cindy is now finishing that internship and back to her full schedule of working, running, teaching a weekly yoga class, and weight-training. Within the next few years, they plan to start their family.
Renee Ridenour
President
Pine Mountain Springs, Inc.
Renee is a 2-year breast cancer survivor. She found her cancer by self-exam. The cancer was caught early, Stage 1 with no lymph node involvement. Through the course of treatment, it was learned she was BRAC1 positive. Shortly after completing chemotherapy, she had a bilateral mastectomy and ovary removal as a precaution. Renee sums up the situation by saying, “I don’t need anything that is on my body tomorrow; I just need tomorrow.”
Renee credits her husband, family and friends for getting her through treatments. “I have a wonderful husband and family, and incredible network of supportive friends that just kept me going.” Running her business, Pine Mountain Springs, Inc. kept her mind occupied through treatment and time seemed to pass more quickly.
Renee is active with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition as a volunteer and peer mentor. The organization was helpful to her when she was going through the diagnosis, surgeries and treatment. The peer mentor program couples people going through treatment with those that have already completed their cancer journey. In her own words, “They gave me hope when I needed it most! Now, I want to help the next person get through it.”
Photos Provided By:
Royal Photography
Royal Photography’s owner, Roy McDowell, brings a wealth of experience, both creative and business, along with an unmatched ability to put people at ease, to every occasion he photographs.
Over the past 18 years, Roy McDowell has captured “that” moment for more than 300 brides and grooms and preserved high school memories too numerous to count. Such exposure has led Roy to become one of the most recognizable photographers in Delaware. He creates a lasting impression, not only of an event, but of himself. The pride, precision, and passion he exudes has compelled brides-to-be to track down, “the photographer who took their senior portrait years before”.
Roy exhibits this same commitment and customer service when working with the many schools and businesses with whom he’s managed contracts.
“The consumer drives the product I provide; not the other way around”.
With the help and support of family, friends, and business associates, Roy McDowell strives to achieve his goal of providing an unforgettable experience with superior photographs, exceptional customer focus, and lasting relationships.
Royal Photography
Phone: 302-438-1308
E-mail: royalphotogde@aol.com
Hair styling & make-up application were provided compliments of J. Christian Studio,
where hair and art perform. J. Christian Studio is located at 7465 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE.
As an International Platform Artist and Master Educator for Sexy Hair Concepts, J. Christian travels here and abroad teaching other Stylists about hair fashion.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact J. Christian Studio at 302-235-2306.
Cover Photos Shot on Location at Longwood Gardens
www.longwoodgardens.org
Where you can enjoy “Autumn’s Colors”
September 7th to November 22nd
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