PINK THRIVER SPOTLIGHT

pinkthriver spo ight

pink pages a ual LKNW'S

Finding my way to North Carolina.

I was born and raised in Boston and graduated from Newbury College in Brookline, Massachusetts, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a heavy concentration in accounting. I also have an associate degree in food service management. I relocated to Winston-Salem in 2001 and moved to Charlotte in 2008. I have three beautiful daughters ages 30, 19, and 13 and two high-IQ grandchildren who keep me on my toes … ages 11 and 6.

Dezrene Gerald

… but cancer doesn’t have me!

On July 21, 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 3 invasive mammary carcinoma. It was a total shock. There’s no way to fully explain or express the feeling that comes over you when the doctor gives you this news. After getting through that day and talking with my family and close friends, I awoke the next morning and told myself: “They say I have cancer but cancer doesn’t have me. I will get through this and beat it!” I immediately went into prayer mode. I continued with my exercise routine and followed an overall healthy lifestyle regimen. I have now fi nished doing all my testing and have a couple more appointments to attend.

What feeds my mind, body, and soul.

I have a profound love for music and the arts—dancing, singing, creating healthy and delicious meals in the kitchen. I also enjoy rollerblading, reading, hanging out with family/friends, and researching and studying medicinal plants for my new business, Karibseed Essentials.

See you on the other side of healed.

I truly believe that God wants me to be a voice in this space to inspire and uplift those going through the same thing— who may not have any faith or hope to make it through this journey. I am living proof of God’s grace, mercy, and healing power … if you just believe and have faith. I am a naturalist and a fi rm believer that we can heal ourselves using herbs and food as medicine. Isn’t it ironic that one of my lifelong goals has been to become an herbalist and/ or have a strong infl uence and presence in the holistic market? My plan to beat this disease is to use a holistic approach and, if needed, combine with traditional medicine. This is why I have decided to become a patient at Utopia Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida. In the fi rst fi ve days, they already had me in to see their holistic dentist and scheduled me for surgery … the dentist found cavitation in my wisdom teeth bones which could be a major contributing factor to my cancer diagnosis.

OOlivia Newton--John thought words matter, too, so she insisted

on being called a “Thriver” instead of “Survivor” since, in her view, “surviving” brought images of clinging to a life raft when in reality, “I am thriving,” she smiled in her Sandra Dee way. It is with great homage and respect that we share the following with our readers—Thrivers right here in Lake Norman making Olivia proud by carrying on her indomitable spirit,

courage, positivity, and love. To all of you within these pages and beyond, we are hopelessly devoted to each and every one of you … k p thriving!

Cheri Lofquist was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 36. She had seen a dimple on the side of her breast while out of town. “I had my fi rst mammogram and biopsy as soon as I got home, and it turned out I had breast cancer. I was in shock! I thought how could I have breast cancer at such a young age? I totally broke down. Finally, after pulling myself together, I told myself I will beat this—cancer is not going to take me down!” Cheri had a mastectomy and eight treatments of chemo but like the true Thriver she is, she continued teaching and working out like she always had. “My job, friends, family, faith, doctors, and exercise kept me positive, strong, and courageous. Yes, I did lose my hair but no wigs, just scarves and cute hats,” she smiles. “I have been cancer free for 18 amazing years now and have retired from teaching after 20 years (although I still sub … love the kids!). I am a real estate broker with Roost Real Estate/eXp and have an 11-year-old son that keeps me young!

In December of 2018, Heather Sapp, new mom to her 10-month-old son, went in for her very fi rst mammogram at just 35 years old. It wasn’t until her followup appointment in 2019 that she discovered she had Stage 0, Ductal Carcinoma In Situ. After hearing the chance of it coming back—even after the doctorrecommended unilateral mastectomy—would be 25 percent, she chose to do a double mastectomy. “As a woman of faith,” she says, “my mantra and verse through this journey was and still is James 1:2-4 — ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance fi nish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.’ I’m so thankful for this valley, as hard as it was and even still is emotionally, I see the bigger picture of helping others who have or are or will be walking a similar journey.”

pinkthriver spo ight

Roxann Wesolowski felt a lump in her breast in 2018; she had a lump in her breast in 2018; she had just had her mammogram so she was just had her mammogram so she was not overly concerned. Still, she made an not overly concerned. Still, she made an appointment immediately. “The doctor appointment immediately. “The doctor walked in with my husband and I knew walked in with my husband and I knew the news was bad. I had stage 3 invasive the news was bad. I had stage 3 invasive lobular carcinoma, and it had spread lobular carcinoma, and it had spread to my lymph nodes. When you are told to my lymph nodes. When you are told that you have cancer, the world stops. that you have cancer, the world stops. It stands still and waits for you to take a It stands still and waits for you to take a breath. After meeting with my doctors, I breath. After meeting with my doctors, I made the decision to have both breasts made the decision to have both breasts removed with immediate reconstructive removed with immediate reconstructive surgery. I was also scheduled for eight surgery. I was also scheduled for eight rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of rounds of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation following treatment. I decided radiation following treatment. I decided to do my own research and it turned out, despite having already endured four rounds of chemotherapy, I didn’t need chemo at all! I encourage women to do their own research, get a second opinion, and ask questions. And surrounding yourself with friends and family is essential to your recovery. A family friend who plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had special cleats made with my name and picture on them to and picture on them to wear for My Cause My wear for My Cause My Cleats (an NFL charity event) … coincidentally event) … coincidentally they were playing the Panthers and he had three interceptions … life is good!”

A week shy of her 49th birthday, Cammie McHugh was diagnosed with breast cancer. Having lost her mom to breast cancer eight years prior, she was diligent with mammograms. “That year,” Cammie shares, “I had been called back for a second mammogram … I somehow knew they would fi nd a malignancy. I’ll never forget hearing those words: “It’s breast cancer.” The next week seems like a blur, but I very quickly made the decision to have a double mastectomy. I am blessed that it had not spread to my lymph nodes, and I would not need radiation or chemotherapy. I almost felt guilty at times, remembering what my mom had been through after they found it in HER lymph nodes. One of the biggest blessings to come from this experience has been the opportunity to help other women. It seems like every few months I get a call from someone who knows my story and has a friend who’s about to embark on the same, needing that ever-important support and encouragement. I was blessed to be surrounded by family and friends who lifted me up throughout my journey, and I am grateful to be able to do the same for others.” Maria Marvels-Stubbs, founder of Pink Victory Breast Cancer Foundation, is a three-time breast cancer survivor. “I battled breast cancer in 2002, 2006, and 2017,” she shares. “In 2017 the cancer came back on the right side from 2002. I had surgery (over eight hours), and I was in the hospital for six days and then in a nursing home rehab for two and a half months. It was a rough journey for me but my faith in God continues to see me through. I have learned that if you trust in God, His light will shine through in magical ways. When you have faith in God, you don’t have to worry about the future as much … you just know it’s all in His hands and you go about your day and do the best you can. I like to remind women that early detection does save lives. I want to encourage anyone battling this diffi cult disease to fi ght your fi ght because you will WIN.” w