Making Strides Against Breast Cancer by Indianapolis Monthly

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26 WHITE RIVER STATE PARK

In partnership with

Industry and Environmental Leadership with a Commitment to Communities Worldwide… At Carrier, we believe that leadership in environmental stewardship and sustainability begins at home. Carrier seeks to help improve the communities in which its employees, suppliers and customers work and live. As the world’s leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions, we proudly support hundreds of non-profit organizations in local communities worldwide. Carrier is proud to be a flagship sponsor of the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event since its inception 16 years ago, involving over 1000 employees in our fundraising efforts annually.

S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T T O I N D I A N A P O L I S M O N T H LY

by Laura Kruty

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The marquee at this year’s Making Strides kick-off event.

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FOR THE GREATER GOOD The partnership among Carrier, Community Health Network, and the American Cancer Society supports cancer patients financially and emotionally

ftentimes, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Certainly that’s the case with the collaboration among Carrier, Community Health Network, and the American Cancer Society. Alone, each entity does its part to help in the fight against breast cancer. But together, the three are using their enthusiasm, expertise, and willingness to help others to really make a difference in Central Indiana. STRONG CORPORATE BACKING

For 16 years, Carrier has supported the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk through a mix of fundraisers and participation in the event itself. The HVAC company is one of the longest-running local corporate sponsors of Making Strides.

The partnership started when a group of Carrier employees who were breastcancer patients banded together to support the walk. “It’s grown legs,” says Christine Rath, Carrier’s director of quality and continuous improvement. “It’s become a community of individuals that work together, at whatever employment level they may be.” It’s a cause that unites employees, many of whom have been affected by breast cancer in some way. “Every year, we find out about more people who are impacted directly themselves or have a family member or a friend affected,” Rath says. “It continues to strengthen us as an organization to help someone you know or someone your co-worker knows.” Last year’s top fundraiser at Carrier

lost his sister to breast cancer, which only served to bolster that personal meaning. Of course the Society benefits from Carrier’s involvement, but Carrier gets plenty out of it, too. Men and women who work there further their understanding of the disease, and it’s also served as a networking bridge between employees involved in raising money for Making Strides. “As employees, it’s raised our awareness as to what cancer’s about and how to prevent it,” Rath says. “And we work with people on this event who we normally may not work with on day-to-day business. From that standpoint, it’s really helped us become a closer-knit organization. It’s that common ground that’s brought us together.” Lori Morrison, executive director of

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the American Cancer Society’s Central Indiana office, is impressed by the way Carrier has rallied its employees. “They’ve done a great job of fundraising,” she says. “And they have a pretty good calendar of things they do to engage their employees.” Last year, Carrier raised more than $30,000, surpassing the minimum commitment to be a corporate sponsor. It’s been the top fundraiser four out of the last five years in Indianapolis. “They set a great example for other corporations across the city,” Morrison says. “We’re thankful for the relationship and support we see from them. If it weren’t for the support of our community volunteers and our corporate partners, which we view as volunteers, we would not have the ability to fulfill our mission.” A couple of the Society’s employerbased programs are in the works at Carrier, including Active for Life, an online tracker where employees can enter their physical activity and meals for the day. The Society also provides health information for Carrier’s employee newsletters. It’s a strong bet that the partnership between Carrier and the Society will continue for many years. “We’ve got a corporate responsibility to help further grow and improve the community we live in,” Rath says.

a mutually beneficial partnership, but it’s cancer patients who serve as the ties that bind. “We share a very common mission,” Morrison says. “It is so much about the patient and making sure they have goodquality care and access to that care as close to home as possible.” Two Society employees attend cancer committee meetings at Community, which is accredited by the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons. Community and the Society work side by side on a collaborative-action plan with several components, says Barb Watson,

Cancer experts coming together

The American Cancer Society and Community Health Network may have

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director for Community Regional Cancer Care East. Community often refers patients to the Society’s slate of services, including Look Good, Feel Better sessions that give beauty tips to cancer patients. At Community health fairs, the Society frequently provides educational pamphlets—which present solid, evidence-based information, Watson notes—and help with publicity. The Society works with Community’s breast-cancer navigators to ensure patients have access to whatever they might need. And patients who may not have a means to get to their appointments can receive rides to Community through the Society’s Road to Recovery program. “It’s a full gamut of cancer services that they provide,” Watson says. She appreciates the Society’s wide range of readily available resources and the open communication between the two. “We’re asking for their help, and they’re asking for ours. They’re helping us, and we’re helping them.” It’s all in an effort to ease the burden facing cancer patients. “We are committed partners in ensuring that patients have the best quality of care and the best opportunity for quality of life throughout their care,” Morrison says.

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by Lori D. Roberts

Carrier employees and family members gather at the Making Strides walk.

Together, They Fight Carrier employees take part in creative, fun-filled events to raise money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

he local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk may be scheduled for later this month, but local Carrier employees have already taken their first steps. As a flagship sponsor of the Making Strides walk, Carrier donates an initial $5,000 to the fight against breast cancer. Employees raise thousands more in September and October through a series of fundraising activities at the company’s westside facility. Last year, employees raised an additional $34,000, and the event coordinators hope to surpass that amount this year with events like a hotdog cookout, pizza luncheons, candy-bar sales, silent auctions, a golf scramble, and “breast cancer bingo,” which pays out several hundred dollars to lucky winners. “We do these every year,” says Brooke

Greenwood, a Carrier quality clinic manager and past co-chairwoman of Carrier’s campaign to raise money for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. “They’re well-known events, and they seem to be popular, so we continue to do them.” Food for the cause

Though the American Cancer Society encourages individuals and teams to raise money by walking, Carrier employees take another route by raising money through the many activities organized by Greenwood and others. The company matches individual donations, says Jennifer Doyle, who has co-chaired the campaign with Greenwood, and employees are encouraged to donate from their own banks throughout the year. But the

real moneymakers are the sales and games that give back to employees a little something for their buck. “What we found is that our employees like to get something for their money,” Doyle says. “They’d rather pay $10 for a piece of pizza and pop.” Indeed, food is a popular draw for Carrier employees, many of whom work long hours with short breaks. Instead of grabbing a Snickers bar from the vending machine, employees will instead buy the candy that the committee purchases in bulk and sells individually. This sweet fundraiser amassed almost $1,500 last year, Greenwood says. The beauty of the food events is that they often require little more than good planning, healthy appetites, and volunteers who are willing to bring in the

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PEGGY SCOTTEN Peggy Scotten was only 6 years old when she lost her mother to breast cancer. Nearly 50 years later, she can still remember her mother showing young Peggy the knot in her breast. She recalls the nurse who came to stay at their home to help care for her ailing mother, and she remembers the hospital where she died. And she still remembers holding her little sister’s hand in bed for months afterward, as her sister cried for their mother. Today, Scotten works to fight the disease that took the little girls’ mother too soon. The support associate for Carrier helps the local office raise money for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. During the month of October, Scotten can be found combining work duties with Making Strides efforts. She’ll bring food out to workers for a fundraising lunch. She’ll encourage participation and talk to people about why she’s trying to raise money. “I go out on the floor and try to motivate people to give,” Scotten says. But it hasn’t always been easy. Several years ago, during one of Scotten’s first quests for contributions, a co-worker seemed almost hostile to the idea. Scotten asked him why, and he told her that he watched his own mother die of breast cancer because she had no insurance, and the family had no resources. “I told him that’s exactly why I do what I do,” Scotten says. “I fight hard to make it so that any woman who needs help can go get it.” Scotten considers herself a breast-cancer survivor, although her story has an unusual twist. In 2005, a biopsy came back positive for breast cancer. Scotten opted for a bilateral mastectomy, which removed both breasts. Yet post-surgery biopsies of Scotten’s breast tissue showed no evidence of cancer. It was a familiar tale for Scotten, who lost half her liver in 1996 to a large cyst that also turned out to be benign. Regardless of her own medical history, Scotten has become the unofficial breast-cancer advocate among her co-workers. People who have experienced breast cancer themselves or who fear a mammogram will open up to Scotten. She keeps a running list of people affected by breast cancer—co-workers, relatives, and friends—and asks people to share their stories so she can add their names to her list. “Probably two out of three people are related to someone or have known someone who’s had [breast cancer],” Scotten says. “It surprises me how many people’s sisters have had it.” While Scotten doesn’t have too much trouble encouraging co-workers to buy pizza, a doughnut, or a soda to help raise money for Making Strides, it’s a bit harder to recruit walkers for the Oct. 26 event in White River State Park. Scotten has participated for the past decade, and she’ll be walking again this year with her children and grandchildren. In the meantime, Scotten will continue to share her passion for Making Strides with those at Carrier. “The whole company is cooperative,” she says. “They support us 100 percent.” —Lori D. Roberts

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goodies. For instance, the pizza lunches involve a mass order from Papa John’s. Volunteers dole out slices to employees, who can satisfy a hunger pang while supporting the campaign. Last year, the committee ordered 100 dozen doughnuts from Long’s Bakery and sold them for $1 each—a huge hit. “I think Long’s Bakery is the only place where people would pay $1 for a doughnut,” Doyle says. fun and games

The committee also takes advantage of the company’s Monday-through-Thursday work schedule to hold a golf scramble on a Friday. Last year, employees picked up their clubs and raised nearly $5,000 while hitting the links. Those who wish to ditch the dress code can pay $10 during specified weeks to wear jeans, resulting in comfortable workers and more money in the collection jars. One of the most popular events, though, is “breast-cancer bingo.” The company sells a package of five cards for $15 at the beginning of the event, or employees can pay a little more to purchase them individually. Each week corresponds to a different-colored game card. Doyle draws five numbers each day, and the numbers are emailed to employees and posted on the company-wide television system. When someone wins, the game ends until the next week, when employees can pull up the next card and hope it’s their turn to win the big money. The prize amount varies each week, culminating in the pink bingo card, which pays out $200. “People look forward to it,” Doyle says. “If I’m even one hour late sending out the numbers, I’m getting emails.” Throughout the year, Carrier’s junk auctions allow employees to score bargains while cleaning up the workspace. Instead of trashing leftover metal tables, filing cabinets, furniture, and other items from office renovations, the items are sold to the highest bidder in a silent auction. The auctions can raise anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 each, Doyle says. The good buys continue at the Pink Ribbon festival, the most widely attended event for the company’s campaign. This

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daylong activity includes a fundraising lunch and a silent auction of items donated by employees and local businesses. Last year’s offerings included HarleyDavidson gear. One employee is an avid baker, and her tasty creations can fetch big money, Greenwood says. Another employee recruits her mother, a professional massage therapist, to do mini-massages for a donation. Employees also line up to bid on the front-row parking spaces, which can raise several hundred dollars. The Pink Ribbon festival acts as a minireunion and an educational event as well. A few former employees who also happen to be breast-cancer survivors sell their handmade crafts and jewelry, and the American Cancer Society sets up a booth during the festival and hands out informational materials.

Moving forward

About 20 Carrier employees volunteer for its campaign committee. Planning usually starts in August, and committee members are heavily involved throughout the months of September and October. Their motivations vary. Some committee members are survivors or have close friends or family members touched by the disease. Others, like Doyle and Greenwood, haven’t been directly affected, but they support the cause nonetheless.

TIM NUGENT Tim Nugent is a man who knows how to wear pink. The Carrier machine repairman has been known to don a pink shirt and hat before he strolls down the assembly line collecting money for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. He’s even purchased a pink scarf for the effort, and he isn’t afraid to wear it if it will reinforce his message. “When they see me coming, they know I’ll take anything,” Nugent says. The local Carrier office relies on multiple planned activities to help raise money for the 16th annual event, which takes place Oct. 26 in White River State Park. A planning committee oversees many of the activities for the day shift, but Nugent is often on his own with the night shift. He encourages people to take advantage of the hot-dog sale, where they can purchase an easy lunch and support the cause at the same time. He sells tickets for 50/50 raffles or doles out the pizza and soda orders that bring in extra funds. “When we have 500 or 600 people on the night shift, if you even have a quarter of them buying lunch, we do really well,” Nugent says. Thanks to his efforts and his own weekly personal contributions, Nugent is a member of the Making Strides Pacesetters Club, which honors those participants who collect a substantial amount of money. Last year, Nugent raised $2,749. Nugent has been helping out for several years, stepping up when no one on the night shift would take the job. He was motivated in part by his sister, Sandra Gigure, who fought breast cancer more than 30 years ago before she died two years ago. His sister believed that a cure for one cancer might lead to a cure for all types of cancer, and now her brother is picking up her fight. “She was always a fighter and was always a part of everything. I thought, well, it doesn’t have to stop because she left,” Nugent says. Despite working six or seven days a week, Nugent’s participation behind the scenes doesn’t stop. His fellow employees have come to expect the co-worker in pink. Nugent usually comes into work, completes his tasks, and then spends time drumming up excitement for the Making Strides event. Most co-workers are enthusiastic about it, whether they’re hoping to win the 50/50 drawing or happy to raise money to fight the disease. “Everybody out there knows someone who’s had some form of breast cancer or a scare,” Nugent says. “I get them all summer wondering when [company events are] happening.” —Lori D. Roberts

Their biggest challenge seems to be the walk itself—participation isn’t quite as high as they’d like it to be. “We’re trying to get more people involved, trying to get more people to step up,” Doyle says. For now, the company’s successfully taking its own steps to contribute to the fight against breast cancer, something that involves and unites all employees.

And although Doyle and Greenwood won’t be co-chairing the committee this year, they’ll continue to participate in the planning and execution of the popular events. “It just makes me feel good,” Greenwood says. “I’m happy to help, happy to raise money, and I’m looking forward to the time when we don’t have to raise money anymore.”

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S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S U P P L E M E N T T O I N D I A N A P O L I S M O N T H LY

by Shari Held

Rendering of the future cancer center at Community Hospital South.

Providing the Best Care Community’s breast-cancer program is cutting-edge and patient-centric

ast December, Community Health Network became the first Indiana healthcare system to become affiliated with the internationally renowned University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Network™. The MD Anderson Cancer Center is the gold standard—for 10 of the last 12 years, including 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked it No. 1 in cancer care. “What that offers to patients is the assurance that the treatments that are being offered here are consistent with those offered by the best cancer center in the country,” says Myra G. Fouts, Community’s vice president of oncology services. All Community breast-cancer surgeons are board-certified, but to become MD Anderson–certified, they had to undergo a rigorous review process. “Not only did we pass the test, but MD Anderson was very impressed with

the quality of care that we deliver to our patients,” Fouts says. Patients with rare or difficult-to-treat cancers will especially benefit from the affiliation. Sumeet Bhatia, M.D., a medical oncologist with Community, notes that Community physicians can request a peer-to-peer consultation and have slides and scans evaluated in Houston (MD Anderson’s main campus). “If a patient feels they need to go to Houston, we are able to facilitate and set up all those appointments for them very quickly,” Bhatia says. “They will formulate a plan and we can execute it locally.” Creating an excellent patient experience

The affiliation with MD Anderson takes Community’s care for cancer

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patients to another level, but it’s always been at the forefront of innovative breastcancer treatment. Seven years ago, Community debuted its breast-health navigator program. At Community, each patient is assigned a nurse navigator at the time of diagnosis. This person is with the patient throughout his or her entire breast-cancer journey— coordinating all appointments and attending them with patients, answering questions, and providing emotional support. “This program is really foundational for the patient’s experience,” Fouts says. “It’s one of the things that is a point of differentiation in our breast-cancer program.” Many Community breast-cancer physicians have nurse practitioners who partner with them to provide patient care. This practice adds another layer of care to the patient experience.

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“The patient has the benefit not only of our physicians, but of somebody who is coming at their care from a slightly different perspective,” Fouts says. In addition, a whole group of dedicated cancer-care nurses provides education, facilitates patient care, and monitors and manages patients’ symptoms. “I’m really proud to say that our nurses do a phenomenal job,” Bhatia says. Community provides support groups for breast-cancer patients and their caretakers, including one for male caregivers. “Caretakers often feel helpless in caring for their loved one,” Fouts says. “We want to offer services to them in addition to patients because they can’t get better without the support of their loved ones.” Physicians, nurses, and navigators come together to provide holistic care for each breast-cancer patient. “Our goal is to be sure cancer patients are able to continue with their normal routines and not have a diagnosis of cancer interrupt their lives,” Fouts says. A timely, convenient approach

“A huge aspect of taking care of the disease is to deal with patients’ emotional needs,” Bhatia says. “We are able to get the team members in place very quickly. We believe that knowing someone is there for them right away makes a big difference to patients.” Typically, a patient has seen every member of the team—which may include a medical oncologist, nurse practitioner, breast-cancer surgeon, radiation oncologist, plastic surgeon, and nurse navigator—within 24 to 26 hours of being diagnosed. Once the pathology report comes back, a treatment plan is agreed upon by the entire team and put in place within one week. State-of-the-art procedures and methods

Community is at the forefront in offering intraoperative radiation therapy to qualifying breast-cancer patients. In this innovative procedure, patients receive their radiation treatment—sometimes the one dose is all they need—during surgery

REBEKAH KRUKENBERG, MS, CGC, LGC Rebekah Krukenberg, MS, CGC, LGC, is a certified genetic counselor who works within Community Breast Care. She has the distinction of being Community Health Network’s first genetic counselor dedicated solely to oncology. Each week, she travels to Community Hospitals North, East, and South to help patients understand the role that genetics plays in their health and their children’s health. In a typical day, Krukenberg meets with patients or families seeking breast-cancer–related genetic counseling. She counsels breast-cancer patients who have tested positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations, as well as people who think they might need genetic testing. Within the general population, one in every 400 to 800 people tests positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations. Within the Ashkenazi Jewish population, the odds are one in 40. Each child whose mother or father has a genetic mutation has a 50/50 chance of having the same mutation. “Genetic testing isn’t for everybody,” Krukenberg points out. Patients who are good candidates for testing are those who have a personal or family history of breast or ovarian cancer under age 50, multiple relatives with breast or ovarian cancer, cancer in both breasts or both ovaries, a combination of breast and ovarian cancer in the same family, and a family history of male breast cancer. During the 90-minute sessions, Krukenberg takes a thorough medical and family history and diagrams the family’s cancer history to see if a pattern can be detected. She discusses how cancer and genetics are related, the genetic conditions patients need to be aware of based on their family history, and their options for genetic testing. If the patient opts for that testing, the blood can be drawn that day and sent off for testing. She also follows up with patients to relay their results. Krukenberg sends each patient a personalized three- to four-page letter covering the highlights of their discussion. The information she shares complements what patients receive from their physicians. The presence of BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations influences a patient’s treatment options. “We never tell patients what kind of surgery to have,” Krukenberg says. “But fairly often when they have breast cancer, they decide to pursue a bilateral mastectomy instead of a lumpectomy or a mastectomy on one side, because their risk of recurrence of a new primary breast cancer is higher.” Breast-cancer patients who test positive for the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation and opt for a lumpectomy are placed on a higher-risk screening protocol, as are women who have never had breast cancer but who test positive for a gene mutation. Women with breast cancer who test positive for BRCA1 or BRCA2 are also at increased risk for ovarian cancer. For these women treatment might also include chemo-preventive medications or surgery to remove the ovaries. “Genetics is really all about the family,” Krukenberg says. “Most of my patients tell me the genetic testing and counseling isn’t for them—it’s for their kids. At the end of the day, what I’m trying to do for these families is prevent new generations of people from ever developing cancer. That’s a very exciting thing and a very worthwhile thing.” —Shari Held

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Christina J. Kim, M.D. Christina J. Kim, M.D., one of the dedicated board-certified breast surgeons that are the backbone of Community Breast Care, has extensive experience in breast surgery and surgical oncology. She received her medical degree from the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine, completed her surgical residency at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, and followed that with a residency in surgical oncology at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa. Recently, she added another credential: Kim is an MD Anderson–certified breast surgeon. Last year, Community Health Network became affiliated with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Network™, which is known for its excellence in oncology care, the huge volume of cancer patients it serves, and its cutting-edge research. “Really the bottom line for our patients is that Community’s affiliation with MD Anderson gives us another venue to think outside the box and to help patients that are difficult to treat,” she says. “We’ve always felt that the care we delivered to breast-cancer patients has been top-notch. But going through a very stringent quality-control process through MD Anderson confirmed that we are giving great care to our patients.” While serving as a surgical oncologist and assistant professor at the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine in Tucson, Kim’s research was heavily focused on breast cancer and the genomic profiling of individual breast cancers. She was fascinated by the search for novel ways to treat the disease and found breast cancer patients very rewarding to work with. “Breast-cancer patients just seem to be a different population of patients,” she says. “They are a very strong group of people. I learn a lot from interacting with them. Sometimes I think I get more out of our relationship than they do. Being able to help these patients has been a huge push for me to do breastcancer care.” By the time Kim joined Community Health Network in 2007, her focus was exclusively on caring for breast-cancer patients. She specializes in breast surgery and high-risk breast cancer. She’s excited that the affiliation with MD Anderson will open up new venues for treating patients. “It’s still early in our relationship, but we hope to bring some of MD Anderson’s innovative clinical trials and newer treatments to Indianapolis, so we can offer patients additional treatments that would not otherwise be available,” she says. “MD Anderson is at the forefront of that.” Kim says the greatest strides in cancer care have occurred in the area of breast cancer. “We’ve made huge progress in all modalities—surgery, radiation oncology, chemotherapy, and treatments,” she says. “You can’t say the same for any other type of cancer. Seeing all this evolve and staying on top of it all is very interesting to me. I really enjoy what I’m doing.” But it’s more about the patients. “The key point is that we are able to help and cure a lot of breast-cancer patients,” Kim says. “When I see patients coming back for their follow-up five, six, seven years later, it’s a wonderful thing. That’s what keeps me going.” —Shari Held

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while they’re still sedated. “We’re in the process of building that program to offer it to other patients, not just breast-cancer patients,” Fouts says. Recently, Community Hospital North began offering a program called Healing Touch, an alternative-medicine technique that has been well researched and its effectiveness validated. “People are surprised at how much better they feel afterward,” Fouts says. “We have a vision moving forward to expand our integrated-medicine services to add acupuncture, massage, Reiki, and art therapy. There’s a lot more we’re working toward.” Community will be following MD Anderson standards for these integrativemedicine protocols, too. Expanding accessibility and reach

Community’s breast-cancer–care program is in place at Community Hospitals North, East, and South. Soon, its south campus will get a new look, as construction is underway on a comprehensive cancer center. Slated to open the first quarter of 2014, the center houses breast surgeons Chase Lottich, M.D., and Erin Zusan, M.D.; medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists; breast diagnostic, radiation, and laboratory services; private infusion bays for chemotherapy; a pharmacy; and the Fig Leaf Boutique, which will feature Medicare-accredited fittings for prosthetics, wigs, and bras. “It’s a very exciting opportunity for the south side of the city,” Fouts says. “They can come to the cancer center and get all their needs taken care of in one place. This is the concept we are moving toward in our entire program. It’s really about making it a patient-friendly environment.” It’s also about giving patients the best opportunity to beat breast cancer. “We tell each patient not to identify themselves as a breast-cancer survivor,” Bhatia says. “This cancer is just an inconvenience, and we hope that in a few months this inconvenience will be just a memory. That’s how we are approaching breast cancer today. And we are winning the war.”

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Participants on stage at the Making Strides walk.

by Laura Kruty

On Patients’ Sides Through its four main areas of work, the American Cancer Society strives to support those fighting the disease

s the “official sponsor of birthdays,” the American Cancer Society will be blowing out plenty of candles of its own this year—100, to be exact. A century ago, the organization was founded by a group of 15 physicians and business leaders in New York City. At the time, a cancer diagnosis was essentially a death sentence, and the disease was rarely discussed. The initial goal was to raise awareness of doctors, nurses, patients, and family members to educate across the country. The original focus of raising awareness continues to this day, but it’s only one facet of the Society’s mission. Throughout the United States, the organization also devotes its resources to programs and services, research, and advocacy, all of which

help ensure cancer patients can continue to celebrate birthdays of their own. Doing good at the local level

The Society estimates that more than 4,500 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed in Indiana this year. A diagnosis is only the beginning of a journey that, for many, is overwhelming and frightening. The Society offers a variety of services—for patients and caregivers alike— that can relieve fears about the unknown. One such offering is its helpline, 1-800227-2345, a nationally recognized resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. Annually, it fields calls from nearly 1 million people. “An individual can call and get access to resources within their community,”

says Lori Morrison, executive director of the Society’s Central Indiana office. “Either we help directly based on what we offer, or we can refer you out.” Women who are undergoing chemotherapy can learn where to find a wig. Those interested in clinical trials can get matched with one that fits their situation. Patients can also request a personal health manager, a file that organizes all information pertaining to medicines, lab results, insurance, and more. It’s a convenient way for them to easily manage their diagnosis and treatment. “We get positive feedback about what a godsend that is for patients and caregivers,” says Beverley Austin, manager of the Indianapolis Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event. The helpline is most active around 2 to

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JOANNA RUSSELL Joanna Russell knows that the fight against cancer is often a bumpy ride. As a volunteer with the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program, she hopes to make that trip a little more pleasant by providing transportation to and from treatment for patients who have no other way to get there. “It is a program that makes a difficult situation a little more bearable by offering rides to those who do not have a car, cannot drive, or who may be too sick to drive,” she says. After losing her 23-year-old son David to leukemia in 2007, Russell was eager to find a way that would enable her to sort through her own grief while affecting the lives of others. In 2010, she became a Road to Recovery volunteer, never realizing the impact the program would have on her own life. “It really has been a two-way street,” she says. “They say that those who volunteer get back what they put in, and I think that’s true. At least it has been for me.” Russell says that driving someone to their appointment once a week and lending a sympathetic ear may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but it’s often a big deal to the patient who may be in the fight of their life. In the two years that she was actively driving for the program, she says there have been good times, as well as sad times. She has celebrated with those whose cancer has gone into remission and grieved for those who have been lost, but through it all she says she’s met a lot of wonderful, strong, and inspiring people. They’ve taught her a lot about keeping things in perspective and always remaining upbeat—no matter what twists and turns life has in store. It was those lessons that Russell took to heart earlier this year when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While undergoing treatment, she suspended her activity with the Road to Recovery program, but the people she encountered were never far from her mind. “I drove a lot of people who were worse off than I was, and they still managed to be positive while making an effort to get to their appointments, so that really helped me to remain strong in the fight,” she says. Today, Russell has finished her own treatment and is looking forward to getting back on the road as soon as she recovers from what she describes as “chemo brain.” “I’m still a little murky, so I don’t want to get lost while driving anyone around or accidentally drop someone off at the wrong place,” she says with a laugh. “However, I am eager to get back because when you give of yourself to others, you feel more fulfilled. Volunteering helps the world go around.” —Julie Young

more Ways to Make Strides The American Cancer Society hosts several additional Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in and around Central Indiana this month. • Making Strides of Hendricks County: Oct. 5 at the Hendricks Regional Health YMCA • Making Strides of Hamilton County: Oct. 5 in Noblesville’s Dillon Park • Making Strides of Bloomington: Oct. 12 in Bryan Park • Making Strides of Lafayette: Oct. 19 at Subaru of Indiana Automotive For information, or to register as an individual or a team, visit makingstrideswalk.org.

12 MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER | October 2013

3 a.m., a time when the house is silent and one’s mind is racing with the uncertainty of what comes next. “It’s quiet, you can’t sleep, and we’re there,” Austin says. The Society also makes it easier for patients to receive necessary care through its Road to Recovery program. Those who can’t drive themselves or who don’t have the means to get to their appointments can receive a ride from a trained volunteer. Another service, Reach to Recovery, pairs a newly diagnosed woman with a breast-cancer survivor. The goal is to match women who had a similar diagnosis at about the same time in their lives. The survivor acts as a mentor, offering advice and answering any questions the patient may have. Local hospitals host Look Good, Feel Better sessions during which women experiencing physical changes from cancer, such as hair and eyelash loss, can receive makeup application and skin-care tips from a cosmetologist. “It’s like a middle-school slumber party,” Austin says. Women who come in feeling down about how they look often end up forgetting about what they’re going through, she says. “That’s a very popular program we offer.” A key role in research

As the largest non-governmental funder of cancer research, having spent more than $3.9 billion on cancer research since 1946, the Society has played a role in nearly every cancer breakthrough in recent history and has supported 46 researchers who went on to become Nobel Laureates, Austin notes. As of March, the Society was funding 15 research projects in Indiana, totaling nearly $8 million. Public advocacy

As a 501(c)3, the American Cancer Society is limited as to how much lobbying it can do to influence legislation. That’s where its sister organization, the Cancer Action Network (commonly called ACS CAN), comes into play. “When people join CAN, they have the

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opportunity to let lawmakers know that funding research is important,” Austin says. For a $10 donation, members of the public can join. When there’s pending legislation that affects cancer patients, they’ll receive an email alert from which they can directly contact their legislator. “They can have a voice in that decision,” Morrison says. ACS CAN played a role in the movement to make Indiana’s restaurants and most of its workplaces 100-percent smoke-free. Making it work

The statistics about the state of Indiana residents’ health continue to be disheartening. More than 30 percent of adults are obese, according to 2012 numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Childhood obesity continues to be a problem. And last year, Indiana tied for sixth in terms of the most adult smokers—24 percent of the population— in the United States. They’re figures that the American Cancer Society is aiming to reverse with its education initiatives. Its Workplace Solutions program offers an employee-wellness initiative called Active for Life, an online activity-andnutrition tracker, as well as in-person or web-based tobacco-cessation support. The Society can also help employers assess their health benefits, workplace policies, and employee programs. Mark your calendars

Relay for Life is the Society’s signature fundraiser, with more than 5,000 events across the U.S. But in October, it’s all about Making Strides, which has netted an impressive amount of money in its run in Central Indiana. “We’ve raised $3.3 million and have hosted 83,000 walkers in our first 15 years,” Austin says. Last year’s event brought in about $325,000 and attracted 320 teams and about 4,500 walkers. To sign up, visit makingstrideswalks.org. It’s just one of the ways that people—and the American Cancer Society—can help cancer patients celebrate more birthdays.

ANDREA FARRELL Andrea Farrell was enjoying life as a new mother to 3-month-old Luke when she felt a marble-like lump in her right breast during a self-exam. Her maternal grandmother had breast cancer many years ago, so Farrell knew she carried a slightly higher risk. She soon had an ultrasound of both breasts, followed by a mammogram and a biopsy of the lump the next day. On Jan. 4, 2012, Farrell received news that she was positive for stage II breast cancer. She learned she had triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive form. Farrell also carries the BRCA1 gene, something that increases her risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer. “That’s one of those dates I will never forget,” Farrell says of that early January day. “I really managed my expectations through the process, knowing that this could be a reality, but it still doesn’t prepare you for the words you hear.” Once she got over the initial shock, Farrell knew she had to put up a fight. She had a career, a husband, and a young son who needed her. “Every day has to count,” she says. “That, to me, was my anchor.” Farrell, who was living in Alabama at the time, opted for an aggressive treatment regimen, which included four months of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy. On the day before Luke’s first birthday, Farrell learned she was cancer-free. Now she’s using her experience to help other women living with cancer. While on the mend after her double mastectomy, Farrell realized how uncomfortable and unattractive her post-surgical bra was. It didn’t work well with the tubes and drains coming out of her back and sides. The rough Velcro-like material chafed against her skin. And she knew she wasn’t the only woman in that situation. After much research, she developed a line of bras especially for women undergoing breast-cancer treatment or breast augmentation. Blush Life Apparel offers regular and strapless bras with slits for tubes and drains. There are small or wide bottom bands and zipper or hook-and-eye closures. The bras are made from SeaCell, a type of fiber derived from seaweed, which offers skin-protecting properties like reducing inflammation and relieving redness and itching. “It’s one of these garments that can really go with you, no matter what stage you’re at,” Farrell says. A full launch takes place this month. The bras are available online and will soon be sold in retail stores. A portion of sales will benefit the American Cancer Society, an organization with which Farrell is involved. She has a team, Blush for Life, at its Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, and has been a guest speaker at its events. Farrell, a former Colts cheerleader, will also represent her fellow alumni at the Oct. 6 Colts versus Seattle Seahawks game, the ticket for which will feature her face. Battling—and beating—breast cancer has taught Farrell to enjoy life as much as possible. “What’s really important is your health, your family, the life you live, and what you’re doing to maximize that to the fullest. I almost look at my experience as a blessing because it’s given me the opportunity to see what life is all about.” —Laura Kruty

October 2013 | MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER 13

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WHAT:

The 16th annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk hosted by the Central Indiana office of the American Cancer Society

WHEN:

Saturday, October 26, 2013

WHERE:

Celebration Plaza in White River State Park 801 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN 46204

TIME:

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; the walk starts at 9 a.m.

TO REGISTER:

makingstrideswalk.org

Walking in the 5K event is free, although participants are encouraged to raise at least $100. When you sign up online, you’re given a personal My Strides page, from which you can send emails to your family members, friends, and co-workers, asking them to join your team or to make a donation. All they need to do is click a button to give. Every bit helps toward the chapter’s $345,000 goal. Volunteers are also needed on the day of the walk to help with registration and water stations. For more information or to find additional Making Strides events, visit makingstrideswalk.org.

14 MAKING STRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER | October 2013

Genelle’s daughter-in-law Heather is direct, “The tumor was pressing on her spinal cord. I knew things had to happen quickly.” At Community North, they did. “She wasn’t getting responsive care where she lived so we flew her up here. The next day she was seeing the doctor,” says Heather. The affiliation between Community Hospital North and East and MD Anderson Cancer Network™ is what impressed Genelle and Heather the most. “When you find out MD Anderson is number one* in the nation it removes any doubt,” says Genelle. Heather adds, “My sense of confidence came from their sense of urgency.” Cancer is proof that there are no dumb questions. So keep asking. And take comfort in knowing that the answers start here. For a referral to a participating physician, call 800.777.7775. To learn more about Genelle’s story, visit eCommunity.com/cancercare.

THE ANSWERS START HERE

* The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is the No. 1 cancer hospital according to U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Hospitals” survey.

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