DIONNA'S STORY
I was diagnosed on April 25, 2014, with Stage IV metastatic breast cancer and was given 3 to 5 years, at the most, to live my life. The advice I was given by the first hospital that diagnosed me was to get your affairs in order. Once I heard that, I took my records and went somewhere else. At my second opinion appointment, my oncologist, Olwen Hahn, came right out and said, "Don’t worry, you will be here to see your son graduate." At this time in my life, I was newly divorced, and I was diagnosed the day before my son’s 13th birthday. Hearing a doctor tell me they were not giving up on me was what I needed to hear.
Being diagnosed with Stage IV right off the bat is the scariest thing ever. I had never heard of metastatic breast cancer, and I had no idea what to expect or do. I didn’t have anyone to ask questions to or anyone I could relate to who would know what I would be going through. I did what any person who is diagnosed would do: I searched the internet. One thing I found about information on the internet is that it’s NOT all true. I continued to do my own research and educate myself about this disease. I was very lucky to find organizations that had the answers I was looking for at that time. Living Beyond Breast Cancer helped me through that tough time. I joined one of their programs, Hear My Voice; this was the turning point for me.
I learned so much about myself and my disease that my fears slowly disappeared. I learned to use my voice by being on advisory boards with Eli Lily, doing breast cancer proposals with the Department of Defense, telling my story to others during conferences, and one that is very dear to my heart, helping Latinos understand that cancer is not taboo and we count. I was asked to do a video about my life for Health Central that would be played during office visits around the United States back in 2016. I’ve completed four parts of this video throughout the years, and having my oncologist, Dr. Hahn, take part in these videos shows the relationship we have developed over the years. It is time for Latinos to make themselves count in the numbers that other races take part in. We need to be heard, we need to understand what cancer is, and we need to advocate for everything.
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This fundraiser is important to all of us because of the work we want to do. Our goal is to educate and reach out to any Latino community that wants to learn about their cancer and how to advocate for themselves. Education is the key to being an advocate for yourself. I just hit 9 years with Stage IV. I’ve had many struggles, but I have more wins because I know what to advocate for. Dr. Hahn promised I would be here for my son’s graduation. I've made it through his 8th grade, high school, and now college graduation. I am proud of being a strong Latina who has made it this far.
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Now it’s time to reach out and educate other Latinos to feel the same way.