DC Round 3

Many of you know for the past two years I have been going to Washington DC to help with peer review of breast cancer grant proposals for the Department of Defense.  I just got back from my third time there.  It is always an overwhelming and intense process but it is also so rewarding and inspiring.  As usual I met many wonderful survivors, even one that I knew previously on line... Vicki from http://www.pink-link.org/ had just sent me an email a few weeks ago saying I had been one of the winners of their New Years Resolution contest and my goodies would be mailed soon.  Next thing I knew she and I were in the same room together in DC to review proposals!  We recognized each other's names during the introductions and laughed about what a small world it was and if she had known I was going to be there she would have just brought my prizes with her.  We had breakfast together on the last day and began what I am sure willl be a long and wonderful friendship and a partnership to battle breast cancer.  I encourage you to check out pink link and all its wonderful resources.

Additionally one of the wonderful survivors that was on the same review panel as me has a great website call http://www.thereislifeafterbreastcancer.com/  At this site survivors post stories about how they have thrived in life after breast cancer.  Hayley compared it to a "Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul" kind of site.  Hayley has certainly made the most of life after her cancer and again I look forward to our new friendship and working together.  Check out her site too!

All these women are so amazing but I want to leave you with the story of the lady I went to the airport with.  She was a survivor of over 5 years and had done her first DC panel last summer.  In November she was told the cancer was back and went into fight mode.  Now just weeks after completing chemo and radiation she is back in DC again for another panel.  She is amazing and again I feel blessed to be able to spend some time with her (even if it was waiting in line to check bags and waiting in line for security etc.)  Apparently there was a reason the lines were so long and slow that Friday - so that she and I could chat and gain strength from each other!