Dear Friends and Family,
On August 10th, 2012 our lives changed forever. On this day Gillian was shockingly diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage 3 pregnancy-related breast cancer that had already spread to her lymphnodes. Gillian was 9 weeks pregnant with our son who, by the graces of God, is about to enter this world in just a few weeks time.
Devastated by the news we quickly sought medical support from an amazing team of world renowned physicians at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD. Just days after her diagnosis, Gillian underwent a radical modified mastectomy along with stage one breast reconstruction. Physical, emotional and psychological recovery was (and still is) difficult as this was layered onto a precious time in our lives when we were supposed to be joyously celebrating the impending arrival of our first child.
With strength, determination, acceptance, and a lot of love and support from friends, family, professional colleagues, and our amazing Hyattsville community (including our wonderful Mother’s Group), we moved forward to overcome the very big obstacle before us. After rehab Gillian started (phase one) A/C chemotherapy in the fall, and with courage, grace and a very positive attitude she completed her final round just last week. Following the much anticipated arrival of our son in March, Gillian will then resume (phase two) chemotherapy for 12 consecutive weeks. Once she has completed this Gillian may receive radiation treatment (TBD). Her final breast surgery will be in late summer-early fall 2013, followed by five years of hormone therapy.
Thanks to major medical advancements in breast cancer research, and a wonderful team of amazingly dedicated physicians, today Gillian’s prognosis is very good!
The doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital worked together flawlessly and expediently to save both Gillian’s life and that of our unborn child. We would like to extend our most sincere thank you to our friend Dr. Alan Dackiw for his tireless assistance in coordinating our team of medical experts at a time when we needed it most. We would also like to recognize and thank Gillian’s Oncologist Dr. Vered Stearns, Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Program, and her amazing medical support staff, specifically nurses Carol Riley and Beth Thompson, for their care and genuine 24-7 support through this difficult time. We would like to thank Dr. Julie Lange, Gillian’s Surgical Oncologist for giving Gillian a ‘clean (cancer-free) slate’, as well as Dr. Gedge Rosson, Gillian’s Plastic Surgeon for his comical ability to keep Gillian smiling and feeling beautiful inside and out. Last but certainly not least, we would like to also extend our sincerest gratitude to Gillian’s Obstetrician, Dr. Nicole DeQuattro, for her continued monitoring and genuine care of Gillian and the baby throughout this entire journey, as well as Gillian’s Reproductive Endocrinologist, Dr.Jeanne O’Brien at Shady Grove Fertility, for making it possible for us to have our own child now and perhaps more in the future (despite this horrible disease).
In some small way we would like to give back to the cancer research facility that supported us for the last several months. Our hope is that women with pregnancy-related breast cancers like Gillian will continue to have more and more life-saving options before them and that one day this disease will have a cure.Here’s how you can help to make that happen:
BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER EVENT
On Saturday, February 9th we will be hosting a fundraiser event at Franklins Brewpub in Hyattsville, MD from 2-5PM. The Lichota and Leslie Fundset up under Dr. Vered Stearns at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Program, will help support a multidisciplinary program specifically designed for women diagnosed with pregnancy-related breast cancer. This fund will provide necessary resources to support their complex emotional and clinical needs by providing patient education and navigation, personalized care planning, and ongoing emotional support. In addition, the fund will support the further expansion of practice guidelines and current research as they work toward the understanding, prevention, and eradication of breast cancer in pregnancy.
WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE:
- Eat, drink, and celebrate life: For those who attend the fundraiser event on February 9, 20% of your bill will go towards the Lichota and Leslie Fundcharity. For this to happen, supporters must turn in their bill upon exiting the Brewpub!
- Charitable Donations to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Program: To make a gift go to hopkinscancer.org and click on Make a Gift. If you choose to donate online or mail a check, use the text box at the top of the online formor the memo area on the check to designate the gift to physician Vered Stearns for the Lichota and Leslie Fund. Checks can be mailed to:
Dina Mallis Klicos, Director of Major Gifts
Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
Johns Hopkins University
One Charles Center
100 N. Charles Street, Suite 234
Baltimore, MD 21201
- 50-50 Tickets: 50-50 tickets will be sold in advance or on the day of the charity event (1 for $5 or 3 for $10). All proceeds will go into a single cash pot. 50% of the total money raised will go to one lucky ticketholder; the other 50% will go towards the Lichota and Leslie Fundcharity. You may purchase tickets through Gillian or Boe, as well as from the following helping hands:
Heather Wolfe –hraczwolfe@gmail.com / 978.697.9617
Chelsea Berge – chelsea.lowes@gmail.com / 231.360.7200
Christine Blackerby – Blackerbyc@gmail.com / 202.744.9179
Robert Croslin – rocros@hotmail.com / 240.460.1827
Matt Sitek – matthewsitek@gmail.com / 586.873.9437
Donna Brust- Dbrust@lionbrothers.com / 410.952.7423
Karen Blount – Mtbklb@aol.com / 410.937.7053
Thank you for your continued love and much needed support!
Sincerely,
Gillian & Boe (& our little “Miracle Man” Lil’Leslie)
