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When I joined the Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) Board, I was very new to breast cancer advocacy. ABCF has been instrumental in introducing me to the various aspects of patient advocacy, from community events to research and legislative advocacy. The organization has done some incredibly important work since its founding in 1993, and I'm excited to be able to contribute to future efforts toward its mission.

Committed to supporting breast cancer research/treatment and serving as a supportive resource to the community affected by breast cancer.

I am honored to serve on the board of directors of the foundation that has been there for me for over a decade. Through the knowledge and drive of the women in this foundation, I have been fortunate enough to be involved in getting bills passed and providing breast cancer screening and support to many women affected by breast cancer just like me.

After being diagnosed, I began volunteering at ABCF in 1996. One of my friends was the President of ABCF at the time, and she got me interested in science, being around people whom I might be able to help. I knew I wanted to do more, and in 1999 I became a board member and corresponding secretary. I later became President for 4 years then happy to turn it over to Beth Emery. I have met some wonderful patient advocates from all over the world who I would not know without ABCF. It is an honor and privilege to be a board member.

I worked at San Antonio Metropolitan Health District (16 yrs) and University Health System (10 yrs) before retiring in 2017, in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Services (BCCS), and have been a volunteer with Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF). Giving me the privilege to assist & navigate women in our community through our complicated medical system. ABCF has allowed me to not only educate & reach out to women in our community but, also educate & reach out to state & national legislators to make changes in programs related to breast cancer.

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ABCF gives me the opportunity to make meaningful changes in breast cancer by being involved in breast cancer research, changing legislation to help those going through breast cancer, and reaching out to help the uninsured and underinsured with information and funding screening.

In 1992 Dale Eastman, a breast cancer survivor, along with three other survivors gathered around her dining room table to share ideas for making a difference in the lives of others diagnosed with breast cancer. During their respective breast cancer journeys they had discovered that treatment options available in the 1990s had not changed since the 1970s and that many women, after being diagnosed, had only two or three days to make major decisions regarding surgery and treatment. They deemed this totally unacceptable, and thus was born Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) in 1993. Dale and the other ABCF founders made the identification of the cause, prevention and cure of breast cancer, as well as ensuring quality care for all women, their personal quest and ABCF’s. That quest continues.