FrontLine - Winter 2011

FRONTLINEFRONTLINETM

On the front line in the battle against breast cancer. WINTER 2011

Each year, the PA Breast Cancer Coalition seeks to provide attendees of ourconference with a unique experience. The 2011 PA Breast Cancer CoalitionConference certainly provided that and more for the hundreds of attendees that

joined us in Harrisburg.

Just days before the conference, the PBCC learned that Dr. Craig Meyers, a researcherat the Penn State College of Medicine and a recipient of a PBCC Refunds for BreastCancer Research grant, discovered a nondisease-causing virus that successfully kills breastcancer cells in a laboratory setting. Dr. Meyers was in need of additional funding tomove the study forward in the hopes of eventually conducting human trials.

The PBCC invited Dr. Meyers to the conference as a special guest and surprised himwith a $100,000 research grant award to further his study that could potentially holdthe key to a cure for breast cancer.

The research grant presentation was only part of the event-packed day. Attendeeswere treated to an inspiring keynote address by Pennsylvania’s First Lady Susan Corbett,where she shared her personal experience as a daughter of a breast cancer survivor.

PA Breast Cancer Coalition Presents Researcher with$100,000 Grant to Continue Breakthrough Study2011 Conference Features Surprise Presentation, Inspiring Awardees

2011 Conference Recap continued on page 2

Pat Halpin-Murphy and First Lady Susan Corbett present Dr. Craig Meyers with research grant.

FRONTLINEA quarterly publication of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition

800-377-8828www.PABreastCancer.org

Statewide Headquarters344 North Reading RoadEphrata, PA 17522

HONORARY BOARD

Bernard Fisher, M.D.Michele M. Ridge

Senator Harris Wofford

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pat Halpin-MurphyPresident & Founder

Heather HibshmanExecutive Director

Madlyn AbramsonRosemary BolandSandra Christianson

Sandy CrayDeborah FreerJohn Glick, M.D.Gary GurianG. June Hoch

Andrea Mastro, Ph.D.Alice Sanders

Jeanne SchmedlenMary Simmonds, M.D., F.A.C.P.

Pat StewartLeslie StilesTed Williams

Norman Wolmark, M.D.

Carol BurkholderKim EubanksTricia GroveDolores MagroJennifer PensingerKevin Smith

PBCC STAFF

FrontLine is published as a quarterly communiquefor the information of the supporters and friends of the PA Breast Cancer Coalition. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or distributed without permission

from the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.

Amy Collins Law, [email protected]

TM

President’s Corner

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Give the Gift of REALHOPE this Holiday Season

PA BREAST CANCER COALITIONwww.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828

FRONTLINE - WINTER 2011

Leslie Anne Miller, Esq.Executive Vice President

In a laboratory at the Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, PA, Dr. Craig Meyers andhis research team found REAL HOPE. Their discovery of a virus that destroys breast cancercells inspired REAL HOPE among all those in attendance at the PA Breast Cancer CoalitionConference this October. It brings the PBCC REAL HOPE that finding a cure now...so ourdaughters won’t have to is within reach.

Dr. Meyers’ research was initially made possible with a grant from the PBCC’s Refunds for

Breast Cancer Research program, where PA taxpayers donate all or part of their state income taxrefund to fund research happening right here in Pennsylvania. It provides us with a real worldreminder that research is our best weapon in the battle with breast cancer.

As the season of giving is upon us, I hope that you will make a contribution to the PBCC

to help us fund promising research as well as support vast array of other valuable programs thePBCC undertakes on behalf of the 32 woman who hear the words, “You have breast cancer,”each day in Pennsylvania. Together, we can offer REAL HOPE that the battle against breastcancer can be won because of dedicated researchers like Dr. Craig Meyers and committedindividuals like you. Visit pbcc.me/Cure to make a donation today.

Pat Halpin-Murphy

Thomas G. Frazier, M.D., F.A.C.S., the Medical Director of theComprehensive Breast Center at Main Line Health - Bryn Mawr, andMimi Barash Coppersmith, a breast cancer survivor, Founder of Town& Gown Magazine and Honorary Chair of the Penn State Lady LionsPinkZone, were each presented with the 2011 Pink Ribbon Award fortheir respective contributions and commitment to the fight againstbreast cancer as part of during the event-filled luncheon. The 2011 Potamkin Award winner, Susan Domchek, M.D.,Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania andthe Director of the MacDonald Cancer Risk Evaluation Program at theAbramson Cancer Center, shared some of her research findings withconference attendees during the morning’s Plenary Session. At the evening reception held the night before the conference, our2011 Shining Light Awardees Rob Ziemba and Jon Jehrio spoke abouthow they are inspired to support the PBCC with their annual Play ItAgain for Charity hockey game. The First Lady, the awardees and the check presentation to Dr.Meyers along with the excellent workshops and exhibitors made the2011 PBCC Conference one that all those who attended will surelyremember for years to come. Mark your calendars for the 2012 Conference, which will be heldon Tuesday, October 9th!

2011 Conference (continued)

“The luncheon was spectacular - remarks from Mrs.Corbett, the awarding of thePink RibbonAward, and

announcement ofthe $100K grantmade for a very special occasion.”- 2011 Attendee

“I was very impressed and am planning to return in 2012. It wasinspiring just talking to all the amazing women!” - 2011 Attendee

Survivor

Judi BluePhiladelphia County

Illuminating the lives of breast cancer survivors

Judi Blue is an administrative officer for the Cityof Philadelphia in the Dept. of Human Services.She was diagnosed with breast cancer in February2007.

Diagnosis and Treatment For my 47th birthday I gave myself the giftof a mammogram, the same as I do everyJanuary. The radiologist who read the resultsthought it looked OK, but I asked for a copyof the report and sent it to my gynecologist toget his opinion. He sent me to a breast specialistfor an ultrasound and then I had a biopsy. Asit turned out, I had triple negative breast cancer.The tumor was stage 1, grade 2, 80% IDC and20% DCIS. When I was a kid I wanted to be a doctorand I have always been vigilant in following upwith my mammograms because my Mom hadbreast cancer 13 years earlier. I was given theoption of mastectomy or lumpectomy. Since Iwanted to get back to work quickly, I chose thelumpectomy followed by chemotherapy andradiation.

The Hardest Part The hardest part was watching my parentswatch me. I don’t know which was sadder…my Mom, who had battled and won her breastcancer battle and knew what I was goingthrough or my Dad, who had to watch hisqueen and then his princess go through it.They were a great support for me. And you’dbe amazed at who comes to your rescue when

you need them. My ex,who I had broken upwith 5 months beforemy diagnosis, moved inwith me after surgery and stayed for 3 weeksuntil I was able to be on my own again.

An Epiphany

The day I came home from surgery, I hadan epiphany. I realized that I got the gift ofthis diagnosis so that I could be a brighterbeacon to others in the storm of breast cancer. I crochet and knit, creating fiber art. Amedical masseuse who was treating me foraches and pains asked to meet with me to talkabout an idea she had. She had delighted in theartistic way I dressed and asked if I wouldconsider painting a picture using my breast asthe paintbrush. The painting, and others,would be auctioned off to raise money to offsetcosts of massage treatments for other women.I agreed, and my painting was the first one sold!Now I have completed about 30 paintings, andfrom those images I make jewelry, calendarsand key chains. It’s wonderful therapy for meand creates sunshine on a rainy day for others. It’s my hope that my artwork will upliftand inspire other women with breast cancer.I recently read this motivational messagewhich I like to share and strive to live by,“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live toexpress, not to impress. Don’t strive to makeyour presence noticed, just make yourabsence felt.”

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“The day I camehome from surgery,I had an epiphany.I realized that Igot the gift of thisdiagnosis so that Icould be a brighterbeacon to others in the storm of breast cancer.”- Judi Blue

PA BREAST CANCER COALITIONwww.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828


Judi Blue shares a moment with her mom, who is

also a breast cancer survivor!

Spotlight

Judi Blue is featured in the PBCC’s traveling photo exhibit, 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania. Sherepresents Philadelphia County in the exhibit, and spoke at the opening reception at Fox Chase Cancer Center in October.

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828

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PA BREAST CANCER COALITION


Thanks to the PBCC Conference SponsorsDiamond Gold

Print Totebag CenterpieceNametag

Pink Ribbon Reception

Continental Breakfast

Opening Session

Workshop

Silver Bronze

Pink Ribbon Sponsors

First Lady’s Reception

Media

Peter & Lauren Freer

Leslie Anne Miller, Esq.

Adams County Breast Cancer Coalition w Allegheny General Hospital w Andrews & Patel Associates,P.C. w APSCUF w Breast Health Center w Capital BlueCross w Carlisle Regional Medical Centerw The Center for Women’s Health, Ephrata Cancer Center, Ephrata Community OB/GYN and LancasterCounty Center for Plastic Surgery at Ephrata Community Hospital w Mimi Barash Coppersmith wCrown Holdings, Inc. w Easton Regional Cancer Center w Feinberg Shopp w Debbie & PatrickFreer - Strickler Insurance Agency, Inc. w Genomic Health, Inc. w Glatfelter Insurance Group wGood Samaritan Health System w Holy Spirit Health System w Joan Karnell Cancer Center atPennsylvania Hospital w Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center at Windber Medical Center w LancasterGeneral Health w LDC Health and Safety Fund w Lehigh Valley Health Network w Partners inWomen’s Healthcare, P.C. w The Reading Hospital Regional Cancer Center w St. Luke’s Hospitaland Health Network w St. Mary Medical Center w Leslie Stiles w The Wistar Institute

One of the frustrations inherent in breastcancer research is that, with the exception

of particular milestone clinical trials or studiesthat break new territory, conflicting results canmake patients’ and physicians’ judgmentsabout treatment and care difficult. A recent example of this is the finding by aresearch group from the Stanford UniversitySchool of Medicine that a woman with afemale relative who has had breast cancerbecause she carries a genetic BRCA mutationis at no greater risk for the disease than awoman whose female relative had breast cancerbut did not possess the mutation. The studywas the largest analysis to date of breast cancerrisk in noncarrier members of BRCA mutationfamilies and included a total of more than3000 families in Northern California,Australia, and Canada, 292 families in whicha woman had a BRCA mutation. It has been shown that women who inheritthe BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations have a5- to 20-fold higher risk than the generalpopulation of developing breast or ovariancancer—if you inherit the mutation, you havea 40-86% chance of developing breast cancerin your lifetime. If you do not inherit themutation, your risk, according to the Stanfordstudy, is much lower. Women with themutation have a 50/50 chance of passing themutation on to each child. In contrast to the Stanford findings, a studyin 2007 reported that noncarrier relatives ofbreast cancer patients with the BRCAmutation were at increased risk compared to

women in the general population. However,that study used as its “general” population agroup of women made up of those with andwithout a family history of breast cancer. TheStanford study, on the other hand, comparedwomen who had cancer in their familiesbecause of the mutation to women who hadcancer in their families but not the mutation. It will be interesting to see if the findingsfrom the Stanford study can be replicated.Noncarrier women in these families need toremain vigilant because of their family history,but perhaps no more so than a woman whosesister or mother developed breast cancerseemingly spontaneously. But, again, theStanford results do conflict with earlierfindings, so it is difficult to say with certaintyif they will prove true in the long run. In themeantime, it is imperative that women withclose relatives who have breast cancer from anycause report this to their physicians andcontinue to get regular checkups andmammograms. Interestingly, the Stanford study also foundthat a small percentage of women (3.4% in thepopulations studied) who are at highest risk ofdeveloping breast cancer for unknown reasons(ie, not the BRCA mutation) account for 32%of diagnosed breast cancers. There could bemany reasons for those cancers, includingenvironmental and behavioral, but it isprobable that many currently unknown genemutations exist that affect or cause thedevelopment of breast cancer.

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www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828


Barbara C. Good, Ph.D.

Study Suggests Relatives of Women with BRCAMutation at No Greater Risk for Breast Cancerby BARBARA C. GOOD, PH.D., Director of the National Surgical AdjuvantBreast and Bowel Project (NSABP) Division of Scientific Publications

“Noncarrier women in these families needto remain vigilant because of their familyhistory, but perhaps nomore so than a womanwhose sister or motherdeveloped breastcancer seemingly spontaneously.”

-- Barbara Good, Ph.D.

PA BREAST CANCER COALITION

MED I C A L ART I C L E

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828PA BREAST CANCER COALITION


Grassroots Partners

To find out how, call the PBCC at 800-377-8828 or visit PaBreastCancer.org

Kicking off a month of breastcancer awareness was a family

affair for some of those who took partin the 10th Annual WestmorelandWalks: Taking Steps Against BreastCancer 5k this year. Not even a rainyday could dampen the spirits of thosewho turned out to walk. Nearly$225,000 has been raised over 10years for the PBCC. Thanks to CherylMcMullen, Kathy Brown, the Boardof Directors, sponsors, and walkerswho make this possible!

Plant the seed in your community and watch it grow statewide - become a Grassroots Partner.

With winterright around

the corner, soonwe’ll be wishing wehad hit the linkswith the Womenin PA GovernmentRelations for theirannual golf outingback in September!Their fun day onthe green broughtin some green for the PBCC as well - over $6,300 was raised! Manythanks to Sherry Bonawitz and all the organizers and participantsfor their continued support!

Linda Golden’s passion for riding horses and her experience as abreast cancer survivor inspired her to organize Ride the Trail fora Cure over six years ago. The enthusiasm with which the event hasbeen received among riders, the community, and survivors - alongwtih Linda’s commitment, leadership and organization - is what haskept it going strong for six years running. Over $6,000 was raisedthis year, for a grand total of $44,806 for the PBCC since the eventbegan. Thanks to Linda and all participants for another great ride!

Ride the Trail to a Cure

Warwick High School Ice Hockey took on Hempfield HighSchool on the ice, but in an effort led by Warwick student Marc

Wiczkowski, these rival teams partnered together to raise funds andawareness for the PBCC.Their efforts ‘net’ thePBCC $1,526! Wethank Marc andthe Warwick andHempfield teams andtheir supporters forshowing how cool it isto support the fightagainst breast cancerwith teamwork!

The Northeastern High School Football team put together awinning game plan for raising awareness and funds to help in the

fight against breast cancer this year. The team collected donations andsold pink socks -like those worn bythe players in thephoto. Their effortsraised $1,004 forthe PBCC. Thanksto the team forshowing even toughguys can ‘ThinkPink’!

For Bermudian Springs HighSchool senior Lauren Egenrieder’ssenior project, she organized a 5krace. Working with her advisor, JaredNace, to secure sponsorships,registrations, and donations, Laurenraised over $4,400 for the PBCC!(We think she deserves an A+ for thiseffort.) Way to go Lauren!

The Garden Spot Motorcycle Club was revved up and ready to gofor the 3rd Annual Ride to Help this year. Participants enjoyed a

fun motorcycle ride followed by a pig roast with great food and funfor everyone. Over$3,800 was raisedfor the PBCCfrom this year’sevent. Specialthanks to the eventorganizers and allparticipants fortheir generosityand willingness tohelp!

www.PABreastCancer.org 800-377-8828PA BREAST CANCER COALITION

FRONTLINE - WINTER 2011 7

67 Women, 67 CountiesExhibit Visits Philadelphia &

Greene Counties

Speakers at the exhibit opening held at Fox Chase Cancer Centerinclude Judi Blue, Joanne Grossi, Pat Halpin-Murphy, Lori

Goldstein, M.D., and Michael Seidel, M.D., Ph.D.

The PBCC’s traveling photo exhibit, 67 Women, 67 Counties: FacingBreast Cancer in Pennsylvania visited two of the southernmost

corners of Pennsylvania this fall. In October, Fox Chase Cancer Center(FCCC) in Philadelphia County hosted the exhibit. The SouthwestRegional Medical Center (SRMC) in Greene County displayed theexhibit for their community in November.

PBCC President & Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy joined FCCC

President & CEO Michael Seidel, M.D., Ph.D.; Joanne Grossi,Regional Director of the U.S. Department of Health and HumanServices; Lori Goldstein, M.D., Associate Professor & Director of theNaomi and Phil Lippincott Breast Evaluation Center; and Judi Blue, aPhiladelphia County exhibit participant and breast cancer survivor inspeaking to the crowd at the opening reception.

Heather Hibshman, the PBCC’s Executive Director, made the trip

to Greene County for the opening reception. She spoke at the eventalong with Carolyn Wissenbach, Penn State County Extension Directorand Greene County Cancer Coalition Chair; Cynthia J. Cowie, CEOof SRMC; H. Adam Patton, D.O., Diagnostic Radiology of SRMC;and Valerie Cole, a breast cancer survivor and SRMC volunteer.

Special thanks to the PA Department of Health for their continued

support of the traveling photo exhibit.

What is better than taking it to the hoop for a good cause? Notmuch if you’re the Northeast Rockers of Philadelphia! Their 4th

Annual Jamfest gave young basketball players an opportunity to play agame that they enjoyand support the PBCCin the process. Thanksto event organizers andcoaches Colleen andMarty Bednarek aswell as the players for a$4,000 donation! Wayto score big for thePBCC!

Join the PBCC and the LadyLions at the 6th Annual Pink Zone in February

Join the Lady Lions, 2011 PBCC Pink Ribbon Awardwinner and event Honorary Chair Mimi BarashCoppersmith, and thousands of breast cancer survivors at the6th Annual Pink Zone at Penn State on Sunday, February26th!

The Bryce Jordan Center is sure to be awash in pink

when the Lady Lions take on the Golden Gophers ofMinnesota. Breast cancer survivors can get free tickets forthemselves and up to three family members or friends andpurchase additional tickets for $5. Survivors will berecognized in a special half time ceremony and post-gamereception. Free bus service for breast cancer survivorsattending the game will also be available fromHarrisburg/Hershey, Bedford/Altoona, DuBois/Clearfield,Huntingdon, Lewistown, Williamsport/Lock Haven, andWilkes-Barre/Scranton. Be sure to confirm your bus seatwhen you order your tickets!

Tickets are available for the public and survivors at

GoPSUSports.com/PinkZone!

More details will be forthcoming, so check the PBCC

Event Calendar or a future Pink Link for more info! If youdon’t receive email from the PBCC, visit pbcc.me/PL toregister for Pink Link and email updates on this event. Hopeto see you in February!

The Women’s Harrisburg District Golf Associationheld a benefit event for the PBCC once again this year.

A great time was had by all who were in attendance. Thanksto their efforts, $2,062 was raised to help the PBCC. Eventorganizer Linda Schneiter joined PBCC Executive DirectorH e a t h e rHibshman andPBCC BoardMember DebbieFreer for a photoat the event.Our thanks andappreciation goesout to Linda andall who made theevent such asuccess!

344 North Reading RoadEphrata, PA 17522

Address Service Requested

www.PABreastCancer.org 800.377.8828

REFUNDS FOR BREAST CANCER RESEARCH

Your state tax refund

today can ensure

her tomorrows.

Look for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition’s Refunds for Research line (line 35) on your state income tax form and donate your refund to breast cancer research.

Help find a cure for breast cancer now... so our daughters won’t have to.

Get more PINK(without the INK!)

Sign up for the PBCC’smonthly e-newsletterPinkLink.

pb c c .m e /PL

This tax season YOU can help find a cure for breast cancer!

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FrontLine - Winter 2011