2019 Dancing with the Breast Cancer Stars by Jody Gilbert

Greetings Denver, Thank you for supporting Fighting Together to Save Lives year after year. Each year we expect excellence to share with you, the community, and the importance of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Celebrating the Livesâ&#x20AC;? of these beautiful Survivors! Annually we approach the throne of grace with open hearts, minds, and spirits to walk this journey with these ladies for such a time as this. If you have not been affected by breast cancer, tonight, you will experience the horrific tools of reality it takes on the patient and the family members. This year we are focusing on how the girls (the breast) affect the boys (the men in our lives)! So, buckle in! This journey will be an emotional one for these ladies and you, the audience. This event can bring back memories of lost loved ones that did not win the battle on this side, but on the heavenly side. Our Mission and Vision of Fighting Together to Save Lives is to support the breast cancer community by encouraging women and men to get annual mammograms for early detection to save lives. Also, to celebrate and acknowledge breast cancer survivors in the city. I pray you to enjoy this evening and continue to walk with us as we grow to a place where God would have us to be. I pray you to enjoy this evening and continue to walk with us as we grow to a place where God would have us to be. WE FIGHT! WE WIN!

As we “Celebrate Life” at the 5th Annual Dancing with Breast Cancer Stars. I am filled with joy and anticipation as we gather to celebrate those who are survivors of Breast Cancer. The women being honored tonight display such beauty and courage. I am truly honored to have had such inspiration cross my path. Not only hearing their stories but watching them live their stories have been moments that I will cherish and continue to share beyond the night’s events. I say to each one tonight; continue to soar and share your stories of solace and survival. Peace & Blessings Caroline D. Price V.P. Fighting Together to Save Lives

I want to express my sincere joy and appreciation to be introduced and now involved with Fighting Together to Save Lives Organization. I embrace FTTSL’s mission and vision for the organization and the importance of spreading breast cancer awareness in our communities. Our communities embrace not only African Americans but the Hispanic community, Asian community, LGBTQ community, and Caucasian communities because as breast cancer does not discriminate, either does FTTSL. We embrace all of our sisters that have encountered breast cancer. I am also especially grateful for the annual “Celebration of Life” beautiful event for our breast cancer survivors who have battled, fought, and survived through this horrific diseased. I give all glory and honor to our Lord and Savior for this special evening. Thank you to our volunteers for the many hours devoted to the success of this special evening. You have labored in love with us, and we are grateful for you. To our guest, tonight would not have been possible without you for coming out and showing your support to these beautiful women. And last but not least, a special thanks to our beautiful 2019 survivors for sharing their incredible journeys with us. Thank you all for sharing in our “Celebration of Life.

Blessings & Love Theresa M Levy Vice President II Fighting Together to Save Life

As we continue to bring awareness to the community about breast cancer, we will never forget our sisters who lost their battle to the horrible disease. Rhonda Porter Anita Wesley

2019 HONOREES Toni Brossuard Tawana Davis Tracey Drayton Barbara Morning Katrina Mackey Michelle Reggins Felicia Richardson Ashlee Saddler Debra Smith Tawana Smith Lequita J. Taylor

TONI BROUSSARD I am a 63-year-old female breast cancer survivor. I have two children and two grandchildren that I love dearly. In 2016, I had a lump removed in the left breast. Due to a lack of insurance, after retiring from other illnesses, I did not get a mammogram for 18 months in 2016. In February 2018, a diagnosed came from the doctor that I had invasive ductal carcinoma, breast cancer. Two lumps and spattering are in between the breast measuring 3 inches. The nursed who called me blurted out you need an MRI because you have breast cancer. Devastation quickly came upon me because I thought I only needed to do a lumpectomy. Due to the size of the lump, I had to do a complete mastectomy. A General Surgeon, not an Oncologist, decided he wanted to remove both breasts. The doctor states, I think it would be more manageable if you had the breast removed, and you could avoid further mammograms. Manageable for whom I asked? I never saw an Oncologist because my medical provider does not have a breast cancer department in Denver. It was baffling to me to have had a mammogram and lumpectomy in the same breast just a little over a year ago, and it was not detected! I changed providers and meet a new complete team of doctors on my first day; I felt they made my health and welfare a priority. I became an advocate and started to research ways to shrink the lumps, to save the breast. However, the results were, only one shrunk, and the other one did not. Although, in efforts to save my life, I still had to do the mastectomy. Also, I experienced the side effects of chemotherapy and additional medical issues that come as side effects of treatment. I did all this because I had grandchildren that I wanted to be around for, and I wanted to beat the odds of family members that passed from cancer! I am grateful to be still alive, and I have the Lord to thank for that! – Toni Broussard

TAWANA DAVIS I am Reverend Tawana Davis. I was diagnosed with stage IV HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer in November 2016. At this time, there is no cure for metastatic breast cancer, only treatment. Therefore, I will be in treatment indefinitely. Living with metastatic breast cancer knowing there is no cure is one of the most difficult challenges I have had to face. Yet, I have learned to live life and live life more abundantly through my mantra #cancercannot. #cancercannot steal my joy, a joy that cancer didn’t give, and it cannot take it away. #cancercannot invade my family; my two adult children who have been my caregivers since diagnosis and my grandson, who is my angel on earth that brings me joy every day. #cancercannot touch my frustrations and fears for my frustrations turn into resilience and resistance, and my fear turns into faith. Metastatic breast cancer is a diagnosis and not who I am. I am a survivor: by doing the work of healing which ain’t easy, through family near and far, and with the support of community living out my mantra: I am because we are ~ my humanity is inextricably bound with your humanity! #cancercannot is about living out loud, honoring God, embracing community, and choosing how I show up in the world has a healing healer. – Tawana Davis

TRACEY L. DRAYTON My Journey has allowed me to reciprocate supporting, educating, and advocating for women on Breast Health Awareness and Initiative. My mammogram was in November 2007. My mammogram showed no signs of cancer. However, weeks after, I detected a hard lump in my breast tissue. A second mammogram revealed breast cancer. During the very early or localized stages- Stages 1 or 2. Because of the early stages, it resulted in a biopsy of the auxiliary lymph nodes, and ultimately a lumpectomy. My treatment consisted of 3-4 months of chemotherapy and radiation. I survived the treatments through prayer, faith, having a positive attitude, a family support system, and a belief of healing. I initially did not share my Breast Cancer with others. I didn’t feel compelled to do so. My soul kept “tagging” at me to “open up” and share it with others. I saw that the Breast Cancer Ministry at (my church) Shorter Community AME Church, provided a support system to Breast Cancer Survivors. Joining the group provided me encouragement and strength. Currently, I am the Leader of the Breast Cancer Ministry and advocate on the disparities of Breast Health in communities (through Susan G. Komen -African American Advisory Council. My soul is “opened up,” bringing Awareness, so; others may know. – Tracey L. Drayton

BARBARA MORNING My breast cancer journey begins in August 1997. I received a call from my doctor that evening and asked if I was alone and if I had a Pastor. Then went on to say, “You have cancer.” I remember just sliding down the wall as a train hit me, crying. My sister-in-law knew that I was waiting on that call, and she came right away to comfort me. At the time, I had a daughter in College (Texas Southern University) and one daughter at home in High School. I remember telling my youngest daughter and not my oldest in College. My youngest daughter could not handle it. So, I knew my oldest daughter would not handle it well either and did not want her to leave College. All my daughter thought was my mom is going to be gone her mother did. When you hear the “C” word, you just automatic fear the worst. I had surgery and returned a week later for a checkup to find out I had to have it redone, and they did not get all cancer out received Radiation for three months, five days a week. I have been cancer-free for 20 years. It was a rough time for my family and me, but we made it through with GOD’S help. Early detection is the key to survival. – Barbara Morning

KATRINA MACKEY Katrina Mackey As I look back over my life and all the fights I’ve endured, I know it’s been God alone who has brought me through them all, and I get excited! Due to my family history of breast cancer with my Mother, Grand-Mother three Aunts, and two younger cousins, my OBGYN suggested I take the BRCA1 test. I was terrified of taking the test because I knew my family history, and I was a working single parent of three beautiful children. After getting my blood drawn for the test, twenty-eight days later, I received positive results for predisposed breast cancer1 early onset. Wow, me too! After focusing on and knowing a new journey begins, I called my support system. Upon arrival at the doctor’s office, I/we had three options: 1) A pill for the rest of my life to deter breast cancer and ovarian cancer. 2) Have a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy. 3) Do nothing and wait! Well, I decided to have the preventative surgery to avoid always wondering. Well, after having the preventative operations, they found stage II breast cancer! I was sincerely devastated! But in enduring the surgeries, treatment, and the side effects from the treatment, I got to my ten-year mark of being cancer-free! But no, why, after ten years did, I feel a lump in my right breast. After repeating the process of letting the doctor know, going in for an x-ray and getting a biopsy. Devastated to again, be faced with breast cancer, I shared with my family, and the call came from the Lord to again put our “WAR CLOTHES” on because it was back to the battle lines of fighting for my life. Surgery again, treatment yet again, but this time God had given me something I didn’t have the first time around, a that is Kenneth Mackey Jr., my husband! Someone I could talk to about my deepest feelings, someone who reassured me that God’s plan for my life was to “LIVE,” I am thankful for being a TWOTIME Survivor! – Katrina Mackey

MICHELLE REGGINS My journey started in August 2018, and it has been one long year of chemotherapy treatments and surgery. It all began last August, and we were on a family cruise. I’m usually an active person; we were jumping into waterfalls we were hiking, and zip-lining. I noticed something wrong was wrong. I could only walk a few steps and would have to sit down to rest. Also, I kept saying,” My chest hurts.” I also became aware that when I tried to climb a flight of steps on the ship, I could only make it halfway. I told myself, I am not this out of shape. I’ve always been a person on the move, but now this time, I had no energy whatsoever. So, the first thing I said was, “When I get back for my yearly check-up right before I return to school (I’m a teacher in DPS). I am going to let my doctor know.” I have always done a yearly mammogram since my early 40’s. I’ve had several women in my family get breast cancer and die of breast cancer. After receiving my mammogram, I received a call from the doctor to come back into the office. A test detected a mass in my right breast. The breast mass was determined to be staged II breast cancer in August 2018. My mother is ten years survivor! So, I figured this was beatable. By the end of September, I was no longer able to work due to the chemotherapy treatments, and it took a toll on my body. I began my 7-month fight with lots of help from friends and family who took care of me. Today I am now totally cancer-free. Yesss! I thank God every day for helping me get through, and this battle and stay healthy! One last thing: Always count your blessing! Always, always listen to your body. – Michelle Reggins

FIGHTING TOGETHER TO SAVE LIVES DANCING WITH BREAST CANCER STARS Reception 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Ballroom Doors Open 5:45 p.m.

PROGRAM Introduction of the Host – Bernard Wesley Host Quincey Shannon Welcome to Fighting Together to Save Lives 5th Annual Dancing with Breast Cancer Stars! INTRODUCTION OF HONOREE’S Tawana Davis / Erik Lee Davis Ashlee Saddler / Robert Saddler Toni Broussard / Gabrielle Broussard Katrina Mackey / Darrell Jordan Felisha Richardson / Tim Bealer Barbara Manning / FTTSL Escort Michelle Reggins / FTTS Escort Tracey Drayton / Christopher Drayton Tatyana Smith / Joseph Smith Debra Smith / Joseph Smith Lequita Taylor / Michael Taylor Blessings DINNER SERVED Smooth Jazz Artist: Tony Exum Jr. Featuring Rajdulari INTERMISSION Tribute Song to Survivors: Lequita Taylor Performance by: Da’jana Smith Welcome to My World (Men & Breast Cancer) Brave Sisters Dance by 2019 Survivors Introduction of the Founder: Bernard Wesley Jackie Wesley / Founder Closing Remarks Celebration

FELISHA RICHARDSON In 2002 I was over a friend’s house with a house full of people, and my husband said to me, what is on your shirt? (Of course, the shirt was white). It turned out that the leak was blood. I thought if I wore a Band-aid every day, the blood would stop leaking. I finally went to the doctor, and the diagnosis was Breast Cancer in the right breast. Very devastating news. The doctors went in and did a Lumpectomy. One week went by; I then received a phone call from the nurse. She told me they didn’t get it all. The doctors needed to go back in to remove additional tissue. I don’t recall how many weeks I was out of work. My post-treatment was radiation Monday through Friday for six weeks. I would get radiation for about 30 to 45 minutes each day then head on to work. Because of my age, I had to take a pill every day for five years called Tamoxifen. I was living my best life, 15 years cancer-free. I would do the Susan G. Komen walks and proudly tell folks how many years cancer free I was. Then in November 2017, I felt a lump in the same breast. Due to previous experience, I went to the doctor’s office right away. Of course, it was like starting all over again with a mammogram, then an Ultrasound. The result came back positive. This time because it was round two. I was informed by the doctor that I would have to have a Mastectomy. I elected to have a Bilateral Mastectomy. I made this choice in order not to have to deal with the third time having breast cancer. I went through the surgery, and this time my post-treatment was chemotherapy. It was a struggled to decide to do four rounds of chemotherapy. I did ask the doctor what if I do nothing instead of chemotherapy, and the answer was, the cancer could metastasize. I did the four rounds of chemotherapy, and I am now taking a pill call Anastrozole every day for ten years. I had a fantastic support system. I am doing excellent and back to living my best life. Thank you, God. – Felicia Richardson

ASHLEE SADDLER

The gym has been my second home for as long as I can remember. I have always had a love/ hate relationship with the gym, but everything about being fit has pushed me to transform mentally and physically. In November 2018, I was training for boxing exercise when I learned of my diagnoses. I was at the peak of my strength physically and arguably in the best shape of my life. I didn’t drink, smoke, do drugs, or eat fast food. So, for someone to tell me that I had breast cancer, it destroyed my perception of reality. In my mind, the truth was as long as I took the proper steps in caring for my mind, body, and spirit, I would live a long and healthy life. I wore my seatbelt, ate enough fruits and vegetables to counter my love for chocolate, and kept up my water intake. In November of 2016, I had my first mammogram and a ductogram, which, based on my presented symptoms, left me with a diagnosis of duct ectasia. The specialist reassured me that I did not have breast cancer. Fast forward almost two years to the day, and on November 19, 2018, diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer. I was angry that I trusted the doctors. The information I received was the tumor (which never showed up on any mammogram) was 8mm, and after a lumpectomy, they would do surgery to remove it, and then we’d talk about treatment options. Following the diagnosis, I had three biopsies, ten mammograms, a host of ultrasounds, and a bilateral MRI. Everyone was confident in the removal of this 8mm tumor.Shortly before Christmas (2018), my general surgeon called me with the pathology results. She removed 9cm of breast tissue with the expectation that the margins would be clean. Well, that wasn’t the case, there were no clean margins around the 9cm that was removed and there was micrometastasis in one of my lymph nodes. Without hesitation, I decided to move forward with a double mastectomy, and the second pathology report revealed the entire left breast, including up to the skin and the chest wall was impacted by ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). I completed a painful course of radiation in May of 2019, and as I continue to go through therapeutic hormone treatment, my family and friends have been a tremendous support. They have prayed with me, and for me, as God continues to show me the purpose of this journey. – Ashlee Saddler

DEBRA SMITH – “Two of a Kind” During the year 2002 to 2004, I was fighting Lyme disease. At the time, I was battling Lyme disease. I scheduled my regular annual mammogram in March of 2004, and during my mammogram checkup, there was a lump detected. At that time, my doctor suggested I continue with my yearly mammograms, and they would continue to monitor for any change. My doctors performed annual mammograms to see if there was a difference in my breast tissue. They monitored my breast results for three years. After receiving my report from the doctor, I received a call from my doctor, informing me that I needed to get a biopsy. I remember contacting my daughter and mother, who at the time had relocated to Denver, CO, as I was still living in California. They traveled to California to be there by my side. They were there for me as I underwent the biopsy to remove the lump from my breast. We were given the results one week later, and I was diagnosed with stage II Breast cancer on September 12, 2008; and they were standing right there to support me as we received the diagnosis together. I went through chemotherapy and radiation for six months and two blood transfusions during my treatment time. But life can genuinely throw you a curveball because my daughter contacted me on June 1, 2016, informing me her doctor was sending her to an Oncologist for abnormalities discovered during her breast exam. At the time of her diagnosis, she had three options for treating her findings, a low dose of chemotherapy pills, double mastectomy, or yearly monitoring of her breast tissue. I knew in my spirit, and in my heart of hearts, I did not want her to go through the same stress of monitoring I had to endure for three years. My daughter and I were both tested after her visit to her Oncologist and my daughter and I are both carriers of the BRCA II mutation. The family prayed for the right decision, for my beautiful daughter and she underwent a double mastectomy two weeks before her 30th birthday, on November 2016 and praised God no treatment needed! – Debra Smith

LEQUITA TAYLOR Lequita J. Taylor is the oldest of six children born and raised in Denver, Colorado. On April 18, 2003, Lequita was diagnosed with breast cancer and had her surgery on May 9, 2003. After having a lumpectomy and 18 lymph nodes removed from her right arm. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, her first thought was, “God, why me? But now, after everything that she has been through, she can say…” Why not me.” Because of her experience, she is now able to help so many people in her ministry. Lequita went through eight treatments of chemotherapy, going completely bald and thirty two treatments of radiations, the body, burned from radiation but, she thanks God for her healing and her full recovery from this horrible disease. She is a spokesperson for women and men who have experienced breast cancer. As of April 18, 2019, she is now a sixteen-year survivor, and she gives all praises to God for her healing. Since she went through breast cancer and having a funeral home, she has buried at least ten people that went to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center with her. We were blessed to honor those who lost their battle to cancer as Taylor Funeral Home. Lequita has learned that when you put God first, everything falls in its divine order, and when you have faith, you can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. God Bless You All! – Lequita Taylor

We, Fighting Together to Save Lives,

Entertainers

thank you from the bottom of our hearts

Tony Exum Jr. Featuring Rajdulari

for being here with us tonight.

Sound technician - Spot on Sound

Your presence is appreciated.

FTTSL DJ – Eugene Johnson

We would like to thank: