HERE WE GO

Hi there!

Welcome! I am happy you found your way to my blog.

Today is October 1, 2024, which means Breast Cancer Awareness Month has begun.

Strangely enough, I find myself sitting in the café at Magee Women’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Thankfully, I am here today to sit in the audience as Magee Women’s Hospital teams up with a couple local football stars at an event called “Cooking with the Steelers!”

Although I am not a football fan, I am excited to be here and am humbled by the invitation. I feel like I am walking into the event on even ground. I do not know much about the players and I am fairly certain they are not familiar with the word Previvor. I am optimistic that this event will give us all an opportunity to learn from each other.

How did I find myself here? Well, I’m not exactly sure, but a little over a month ago, I was asked to do an interview for a new campaign the UPMC PR team is creating. Any time someone asks me if I would be interested in sharing my story, I quickly and emphatically reply YES!

You see, I believe true storytellers have the ability to raise awareness and play an integral part in creating change. Although I get nervous and fight off self-doubt and anxiety every time I am approached to share my saga, I step up onto the soap box provided, grab the mic, and give it my all.

Previvors are still a little known and even less talked about group of individuals. At times, it feels as though we are a bunch of wallflowers standing up against the gymnasium wall waiting to be asked to dance.

I remain hopeful that we will be noticed and acknowledged more with each passing day/month/year.

My soul feels gratitude every time someone reaches out. In addition to being asked to be part of the new UPMC campaign, I have had some other pretty cool opportunities recently. Some of which include being interviewed by Tina Black, a woman I have looked up to for years as a guest on her BE Series Podcast, doing a patient advocacy/education video for an incredible organization called CancerGRACE and modeling for an extremely talented photographer who is putting together a gallery to showcase menopausal women. Her goal is to empower others and prove through gorgeous imagery that women are beautiful, even as they cross the threshold into this phase of life. She was kind enough to take the session further and captured some incredible photos for me to use when tackling BRCA+ related adventures. Together, we created photos that take the viewer on a visual journey through the darkness, into the fire and she completes the odyssey with lightness that presents itself through the lens of recovery. I have a few other cool things brewing but am not quite ready to share. However, I will post all the juicy details right here as they unfold in time.

Here are a few of the photos Casey captured! Photo Creds for this shoot go to Casey Rose Photography. She is a phenomenal photographer and I would recommend her to anyone interested in capturing a moment in time!

As we maneuver through the month ahead, I pray the world takes time to look beyond all the pink it will see to reflect on the reason this color is so heavily represented.

Breast cancer does not only affect women/men in America. It is a global crisis! It does not discriminate against color or gender, it does not care if you are rich or poor, nor does it give two hoots how old you are or whether you practice a particular religion. And, if it has not crept into the life of someone you love, statistics say it eventually will.

I know I have mentioned all three of these points in past entries, but they remain at the forefront of my plight. I try to speak about each point every time I am asked to speak, and October seems like a fitting time to share them once again.

Individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent have a greater risk of carrying a BRCA mutation.

· 1 in 400 people in the general population will carry a BRCA mutation. 1 in 40 individuals of Ashkenazi Jewish descent will carry a BRCA mutation.

· Men and women can and do carry the mutation.

· IF you carry a BRCA mutation, you have a greatly increased chance of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer in your lifetime. It also increases your chance of being diagnosed with several other cancers.

· The world needs more advocacy in this area and genetic tests need to be easier to access.

A Mastectomy is NOT a Boob Job!

· It is an amputation of a body part!

· It is life altering and patients will carry the scars with them for the rest of their lives.

The statement “Save the Tatas” is outdated and needs to change.

· I have a deep passion for being part of the team that changes this narrative to “SAVE THE WOMAN/WOMEN!”

· Forget the breasts! Champion for saving the lives of the people you love!

I have a lot more to say, but I want to keep today’s post relatively short, so I am going to end for now.

As always, I appreciate the fact that you took the time to read what I have to say.

As we all wait for a cure, may we find ways to rally together and support ALL the fighters, survivors, thrivers and previvors out there!

Advocacy and awareness should be acknowledged and celebrated every day, not just these 31 days of October!

I am dedicating today’s blog post to my dear friend, Sheri Lott. If you have read some of my earlier entries, you know how important and instrumental this incredible woman is to me. I refuse to use “was,” because even though Sheri left this earthly world on June 4th, she will forever be an inspiration to me and a source I will forever tap into for strength and clarity. In her honor, I will continue to use my voice to educate and hopefully influence others. I know she is on my shoulder guiding me from a place where she is pain free. Cancer may think it won that fight, but I promise you, her story will not die with her. I will forever feel her silent presence and am confident that IF by using my words to tell her story and help ONE person/family avoid a cancer diagnosis, she will smile down with pride and will be reminded that her life was not lived in vain.

Rest in Joy and Grace, my dear friend. Until we meet again, keep tossing those purple skies my way and I will keep looking for them. XOXO

A post doesn’t feel complete without music. So, here we go…..

The first one is for Sheri! Although she is my Eric Chruch concert going partner in crime, her kids picked this one for her Celebration of Life and I can 100% see why!

I leave you now with an abundance of love and gratitude.

Peace,

Gina

PS….

The “Cooking with the Steelers” event was an incredible experience. THANK YOU DeShon Elliott (#25), Isaihh Loudermilk (#92), Head Chef, Kevin and the UPMC Nutrition team for the invite. It is a day I will remember fondly for many years to come!