When diagnosed with colon cancer, I invited a dear, close friend of mine to join me at Painting Days. At the time, I had a colostomy bag on my right side as well as a port on my left collarbone area. I was not… physically attractive or happy with my body by ANY means, along with several scars from the surgery. When I removed my shirt AND bra and stood before my artist… a feeling I have never felt engulfed me. I did feel empowered, confident… and okay. The tears flooded me, but in such a positive way. The financial return is wonderful – but the whole personal experience as a woman dealing with cancer is beyond anything I could’ve ever imagined. I am truly thankful and blessed. It is a feeling I will forever keep in me.
2014 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
I am single, self-employed and self-insured. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in January of 2012, and had a relapse in June 2013. I received a stem cell transplant in September 2013, without which I would have died. As a result, I was unable to work for most of 2012-2014. My insurance denied coverage for all of my treatment in 2012 as a pre-existing condition. It was devastating. I had so many bills that I had a hard time paying, including prescriptions. Your support eased my transition into working again and reduced the financial burden of supporting myself and my health. Thank you!
2014 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
There nothing like a diagnosis of cancer to give you a new understanding and expanded compassion for every person’s inevitable trials in life. Besides the leiomyosarcoma, my biggest challenge is changing from a two-income family to a one-income family. In the past, I would never carry a balance on a credit card. Now they are all at their limits out of necessity. I am looking forward to getting back to work when chemos and surgeries are done, but I don’t know when that will be, because upcoming treatment is not yet determined. Thank you for doing what you do to raise cancer awareness, encouraging screenings, and furthering support in the cancer community. You go above and beyond and it is inspiring.
2015 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
My sister insisted I get a mammogram after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had not had one for 8 years due to instance issues. The mammogram revealed cancer in both breasts. I had surgery and radiation, but did not have to do chemo because we caught it early.
My sister saved my life, and I will forever be grateful to her. I am not ready to leave my children and I feel I have been given a second change. Thanks for all you do, not just for those of us with cancer, but for all women. Recognizing the strength and beauty of the female form without objectification is a rare thing. We are all made different physically but we share the potential to be stronger than we can imagine.
2015 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
The 2015 Breaststrokes Painting Days very well may have saved my life. I attended with 5 Survivor friends, and remember being so impressed with the overall energy in the space that day – the quiet strength, resilience, & sense of empowerment was contagious. I found myself doing a self-exam later that week. I was shocked to find two distinct lumps in my left breast. It’s not often one goes through an entire identity & existential crisis in a 24 hour period.
Coming face-to-face with your own mortality is not for sissies. I want to embrace my experience as a way to be a help to others. Cancer has made life more fragile, painful & beautiful. I am sincerely honored & appreciate being a recipient. Thank you so much.
I was initially diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in November 2011. I had a bi lateral mastectomy in December 2011 followed by 35 rounds of radiation. Fast forward to march 2015 when we discovered the cancer had returned and was in my lymph nodes. I had 6 months of chemo and then more radiation. I have now also had a full hysterectomy.
I can’t begin to describe how my life has changed. The nausea and tiredness takes its toll. Then the medicine you have to take causes additional issues. I am hoping to get my life back since I am finished with surgeries and chemo. I am ready to start a new normal! Our community appreciates all you do!
2016 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
I was initially diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer in November 2011. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in December 2011 followed by 35 rounds of radiation. Fast forward to March 2015 when we discovered the cancer had returned and was in my lymph nodes. I had 6 months of chemo and then more radiation. I have now also had a full hysterectomy.
I can’t begin to describe how my life has changed. The nausea and tiredness takes its toll. Then the medicine you have to take causes additional issues. I am holding to get my life back since I am finished with surgeries and chemo. I am ready to start a new normal! Our community appreciates all you do!
2016 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
Due to the effects of chemo, I have not been able to start the job that I had in place, but will be starting at the end of August, once I am through chemo. I do receive child support and food assistance, but with 4 kids, and no steady income, ends just aren’t being met. I have relied on family and friends for help, but do not want to burden them with all of this, any longer. Thank you so much for the generous gift. The money went towards months of rent with some left over for other expenses. I can now focus on healing!!
2016 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
I was initially diagnosed with Stage 1 Breast Cancer in November 2011. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy in December 2011 followed by 35 rounds of radiation. Fast forward to March 2015 when we discovered the cancer had returned and was in my lymph nodes. I had 6 months of chemo and then more radiation. I have now also had a full hysterectomy.
I can’t begin to describe how my life has changed. The nausea and tiredness takes its toll. Then the medicine you have to take causes additional issues. I am holding to get my life back since I am finished with surgeries and chemo. I am ready to start a new normal! Our community appreciates all you do!
2016 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
Due to the effects of chemo, I have not been able to start the job that I had in place, but will be starting at the end of August, once I am through chemo. I do receive child support and food assistance, but with 4 kids, and no steady income, ends just aren’t being met. I have relied on family and friends for help, but do not want to burden them with all of this, any longer. Thank you so much for the generous gift. The money went towards months of rent with some left over for other expenses. I can now focus on healing!!
2016 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
I am single, self-employed and self-insured. I was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia in January of 2012, and had a relapse in June 2013. I received a stem cell transplant in September 2013, without which I would have died. As a result, I was unable to work for most of 2012 – 2014. My insurance denied coverage for all of my treatment in 2012 as a pre-existing condition. It was devastating. I had so many bills that I had a hard time paying, including prescriptions.
Your support eased my transition into working again and reduced the financial burden of supporting myself and my health. Thank you!
2017 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
Having terminal cancer is terrifying. One moment you are living your life like everyone else & the next moment you are fighting for every single day. Even before your doctor gives you the diagnosis, there are anxiety ridden weeks of exams & appointments, CTs, MRIs, biopsies, blood tests & genetic testing. So many tests. SO. MANY. TESTS. So many Drs & nurses & technicians, poking & prodding. So much information that you never really wanted to hear, but is now vitally important. So much time lost; time lost from work, time lost from family, from friends, time lost arguing with insurance companies, & time lost waiting for results. It’s mentally, emotionally, physically & financially exhausting. Even with insurance, a single day of tests can run thousands of dollars. The support Knoxville BreastStrokes provides is truly a blessing. The chance to stop worrying for a moment, about how to pay the next medical bill, or not having to choose between medication or rent. Being able to afford transportation to life extending treatments. Keeping a child’s home life somewhat normal, food on the table & gas in the car. Knowing there are so many people who have freely donated their time, money, & talents is both humbling & inspiring. I am more thankful & grateful than I could ever express.
2018 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
I am living with Metastatic Breast Cancer now for two years. I am a 46-year-old single mother of three beautiful teenagers…19, 17, and 14. I haven’t been able to wok steadily for the last 8 mos. Continuously going through chemo, radiation, MRI and CT scans. Without the support of BreastStrokes I don’t know how I would’ve paid for my rent and KUB. God sent. The financial support means so much! One less thing to worry about. Thanks so much Breaststrokes!!
2018 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient
The treatment regimen required following a cancer diagnosis drains one physically, emotionally and psychologically. When you add the financial strain, it can seem insurmountable. After months out of paid work, and working full time to get healthy, my finances were drained as the requirements of radiation ramped up. Thanks to BreastStrokes generosity, getting to and from daily treatments was handled, so my sole focus could be on recovery. Words cannot convey the relief and gratitude I felt.
2018 BreastStrokes Grant Recipient