Affiliate Spotlight

Upcoming Affiliate Events and Special Events

Spotlight Articles:

Recognition of supporters, sponsors, 2012 honorary survivirs more>
Inflammatory Breast Cancer more>
2012 Honorary Survivors
     Natalia Montoya - Pueblo County more>
     Charlotte K. DeLange - El Paso County more>
     Sheri Schwagart - Teller County more>

 Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Recognizes Supporters and Introduces Pikes Peak region’s 2012 Honorary Survivors

Colorado Springs, Colo. (Jan. 12, 2011) – On a cold January evening, residents of the Pikes Peak region came together to honor breast cancer survivors, recognize volunteers and say thank you to supporters of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Each year the Southeastern Colorado Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure selects three breast cancer survivors, one from each of the affiliate’s service area counties, as Honorary Survivors.  The individuals represent Komen throughout the year and enjoy some well-deserved pampering. The 2012 Honorary Survivors are:

• Charlotte DeLange, a 14-year breast cancer survivor, representing El Paso County
• Sheri Schwagart, a 9-month breast cancer survivor, representing Teller County
• Natalia Montoya, a 10-month breast cancer survivor, representing Pueblo County

Also honored on this evening were Joan Schulz and Diane Kosakowski, each receiving the Promise of One Award. The award is a prestigious national honor given to a very small, select group of committed volunteers whose extraordinary efforts ensure the organization’s ability to fulfill the promise of saving lives and ending breast cancer forever.

The affiliate presented Impact Sponsorship Awards to Pink Realty, WS Gear, Mountain Shadow Riders, and Waste Connections of Colorado Springs. These organizations and businesses were recognized for their extraordinarily generous financial support of the affiliate’s mission.

Two other awards were also given at the community meeting. First, the Promise of One Award, an award recognizing exceptional contributions, service, leadership and support made by recipients on behalf of the affiliate. The recipients of this year’s Promise of One Award went to the May family (Doug, Sheila, Cody, Conner and Madison). 

The Legacy Award was presented to Gay Harrison. The Legacy Award is given to individuals who have made a significant contribution to the affiliate over the course of many years, thereby making a recognizable and lifelong difference to the accomplishment of the organization’s mission. Harrison has volunteered in numerous capacities for the Southeastern Colorado Komen Affiliate for more than 16 years.

 KRDO News Channel 13 Educates about Inflammatory Breast Cancer

News Anchor and 2011 Race for the Cure Honorary Chairperson, Heather Skold, shared an important story with viewers about Inflammatory Breast Cancer. Featured in Heather's story were Lesa Graybill, our Afffiliate Teller County Honorary Survivor, and Dr. Laura Pomerenke, breast surgeon and Southeastern Colorado Affiliate Board President. Many thanks to these three ladies for raising awareness about such an unusual form of breast cancer. To see this feature, go to film clip

 2012 Honorary Survivors

Hello, my name is  Natalia Montoya. I am 31 years of age.  Thankful to be alive and healthy.  Cancer free. I am a very positive, outgoing individual. I am a mother of two young boys who gave me the motivation to fight for my life. First of all, I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March 2011. When I found out, I have to be honest and admit, I was upset and scared.  Cancer?  Me? No way! But then I said, “God, give me the strength to fight and fight hard.” I told myself I will overcome this battle with pride and faith. Here I am 10 months later 100% cancer free....all I can say is" I did it!" It was tough but definitely worth it. I continued to struggle during chemo:  being sick, losing my hair and being weak.  However, I knew no matter how tough it was and what I was going through that it could be worse. My oldest son asked me, "Mom?  Cancer? Are you going to die?” I said, “Mijo, when have you ever known me to ever give up?  Of course not.  It is in my blood to fight.  We’re not quitters and we never give up.”  I also said. "I’m only losing my chi chis (another word for breast)… imagine if it were my legs or arms! I can survive without them.  They serve me no purpose now that you boys are grown. Then he looked at me and said, "Okay, Mom, I’m ready to fight with you.  We got this!” Last but not least this sickness made me realize how truly important life is and taught me how to live again. Thanks be to God...

 Charlotte K. DeLange

My pleasant and orderly life came to a screeching halt in July 1998, when a yearly routine mammogram revealed a large mass in my left breast.  It was not a lump that could be felt—so remember to get your mammogram yearly!  After a biopsy, I was diagnosed with stage 3 lobular invasive cancer with lymph node involvement.  My oncologist, Dr. Headley, immediately began chemotherapy in an effort to shrink the mass.  I had a left-breast mastectomy followed by more chemotherapy and then radiation.  Cancer certainly changed my life.  My world became a series of Dr. appointments, chemo treatments, radiation and physical therapy.  My life ceased to be my own as I once remembered it!

I was so fortunate to have such a great support group in my staff at work at the AFA, friends, and my husband Bob, whom I labeled my Good Humor Man!  Bob searched the town for different varieties of Chicken Noodle soup which I craved! You would be surprised how many varieties exist!  He kept my spirits up and talked to all the folks in the infusion ward about football, baseball and anything they wanted to talk about.  I kept my staff informed of all my procedures—it was important to me to talk about what was going on and to let them know how important their health is in their daily lives!  Keeping a positive attitude, finding humor in your life, and sharing with others is critical!  At least while I was bald and wearing a wig, I could sleep in 25 minutes more each morning as I didn’t have to do my hair—silver lining to everything!

In 2001 I had a right-breast mastectomy but avoided chemotherapy and radiation so was eligible for reconstruction at the same time.  It was during this time that I decided to begin some type of volunteer work so that I might give back to all that I had received.  Bob already volunteered for Silver Key two days a week so I thought I could do as much!  I started with the American Cancer Society and helped with the Reach to Recovery program and in the Cancer Resource Center at Memorial Central. Then in 2006 I decided that Susan G. Komen sounded like a good fit also!  I have been there in the capacity as an office volunteer, help at Health Fairs and the Race and do whatever they need me to do!  I believe strongly in their mission—that is why I am still there—we help so many people!  I also volunteer in Dr. Sharon’s office in the Memorial North system—I love them all!

In January 2011 my breast cancer metastasized to my bones so I now begin another journey!  Although it is not curable, it is treatable.  I do monthly infusions and take medication and look forward to each day with great anticipation—every day above ground is a good day!

I am honored to be selected as the El Paso County Honorary Survivor and to share my story in hopes of helping and inspiring others.  I have had four close friends diagnosed with breast cancer in the last two years.  I want everyone to realize it can happen to them and to be diligent about their health care, especially their breast care.  Thank you all for being a part of my life and I hope you are for a long time yet to come!  If one person says to me that I have helped them, it has made my day!

 Sheri Schwagart
 
It is an incredible honor and blessing to be selected as the 2012 Susan G. Komen Honorary Breast Cancer Survivor for Teller County. I am very thankful for the wonderful people at Susan G. Komen who dedicate their time, energy and resources to provide support, encouragement, research and education to the community with the goal of eradicating breast cancer in the future. I hope to give back as much and more than I have received, when my treatment is complete.
 
I am new to this role of survivorship having just been diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Stage IIB at the age of 40 in 2011. My cancer journey began at the end of April, 2011, when I felt a small pulse of pain in the upper right quadrant of my breast near my armpit, while watching TV with my husband one evening. It happened once and then again which caused me to feel around in the area where I noticed a small painful lump. I was concerned but not immediately alarmed. I was only 40, had never smoked, exercised regularly and had a healthy diet which included plenty of fruits and vegetables with very few processed foods. Just two months prior in February I had received my first baseline mammogram which is recommended once turning 40 and the results were clear. I had always done regular self breast exams along with annual physical check ups that included breast exams by a doctor. I felt I was taking all the right preventative measures as my mother was diagnosed at age 54 with breast cancer and is now a 22-year survivor. I waited only a few days to see if it went away before calling my gynecologist to make an appointment. 
 
Within a week I was seen by the gynecologist who told me that it was a good sign that my lump was painful and tender as "breast cancer does not hurt." He assured me after a physical exam of the breast and viewing it on a uterine ultrasound that it was a benign fibroadenoma and nothing to worry about. I had advised him that my mother had been diagnosed at age 54 with breast cancer and he told me that because she was post-menopause and I was pre-menopause that it was different and I should not be concerned. I felt reassured and relieved; however, by the next morning after doing some research online I began to have doubts. I called the doctor's office and was referred to a breast surgeon who provided me with several options along with statistics on how unlikely breast cancer was at my age, even with my family history and also reassured me that it was a good sign that my lump was painful as "breast cancer does not hurt." Confused and scared, I left the office with a plan of waiting six months for further evaluation.
 
The lump in my breast continued to give small pulses of pain, a poignant reminder that my lump was still there. I waited three months, rather than six months, before seeking a third opinion with another doctor and I am thankful I did not wait any longer. I had done research online that led me to the conclusion that a biopsy would be the only definitive way to determine if my lump was benign or cancerous. Again, I went online to research and found Dr. Pomerenke; I immediately made an appointment. Dr. Pomerenke listened to my concerns, confirmed that breast cancer lumps can be painful if located near a nerve and that my family history was indeed a reason to be concerned despite my age. She said that even though my mammogram had showed nothing, it was most likely because the lump was located too high up in the breast to be detected. She looked at my lump with a breast ultrasound, felt it was suspicious enough to warrant a biopsy and was able to perform a core needle biopsy procedure in her office that day. She is responsible for saving my life. On August 8, 2011, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and so my journey began. Based on her recommendation, due to my family history, I went for genetic testing to determine if I carried one of two breast cancer gene mutations that are hereditary and can lead to breast cancer. After testing, it was found that I had inherited the BRCA-2 gene mutation. Other members of my family have and are being tested for this gene; my sister is also BRCA-2 positive and has had a double mastectomy as a preventative measure.
 
I have completed 6 rounds of chemotherapy over an 18-week period, am awaiting a double mastectomy, radiation treatment and a hysterectomy. I am learning to survive and thrive during this difficult time. I am extremely grateful to the team of doctors I have now assembled for providing such extraordinary care and I am most grateful for the kindness, love and support of my friends, family and other survivors such as Lesa Graybill who have helped me cope along the way. I am most grateful to my wonderful, loving, caring and supportive husband Tom who has been my greatest support during this time, allowing me to share my feelings, tears and laughter while being my caregiver, guiding me, and holding my hand along the way. This can be a difficult journey made easier with the love and support of others and there are many blessings that occur along the way, a greater appreciation for life, love and family. It has also reunited my husband and me with his parents after many painful years of separation. I am a survivor because of these people and hope to give back as much and more than I have received in the years to come. It is also my hope that my story will empower other women and men to follow their instincts when it comes to their healthcare and assemble a great team of doctors that can lead to survivorship.