Dorothy is joined by Ronnie Haggerty, a board member of The Rose, who recounts her personal story of rallying together with friends years ago when a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. She describes the important role friends can play during this time; a role no other person can fill. This was also the first time she encountered seeing the different ways The Rose helps women.

Known for her deep understanding of philanthropy and the regulations governing 501(c)3 organizations, Ronnie has spent her career helping nonprofits grow and become sustainable. If you’ve ever thought about starting a nonprofit, Ronnie has some sage advice that may surprise you. The nonprofit sector brings its own kind of challenges, yet they fill the gap in providing resources and services to the community.

Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1.) How can nonprofits operate effectively?

2.) What are key things to consider when determining whether to start a nonprofit?

3.) What are some of the significant challenges uninsured women face in terms of accessing healthcare and what can nonprofits do to help?

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Nonprofits and Best Business Practices

09:33 Advice for Starting a Nonprofit

26:16 Challenges Faced by Uninsured Women

28:40 The Role of The Rose in Providing Healthcare Access

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asking for help is never easy.

Dorothy Gibbons introduces Kathia, manager at The Rose’s southeast location. Three departments fall under Kathia’s leadership: medical records, registration, and sponsorship programs. The Rose offers care and access, removing barriers like language, cost, and transportation. Even after diagnosis, bilingual patient navigators remain with patients, helping them through paperwork and treatment. Preventive care and self-advocacy are emphasized throughout.

Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. What is Kathia’s role at The Rose?
2. What does 'removing barriers' mean at The Rose?
3. How does the sponsorship program at The Rose work?
4. Why is it hard for women to ask for help regarding their healthcare?
5. What is the process for patients who may need sponsorship?
6. How does Kathia personally relate to patients at The Rose?
7. What support does The Rose provide for patients diagnosed with breast cancer and facing barriers?
8. How does the new system at The Rose improve patient experience?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Patient-Centered Care Program

05:20 Building Relationships Before Sponsorship

08:07 Healthcare Barriers for Non-English Speakers

11:02 Support Resources for Cancer Patients

13:13 Patient Education Process Explained

18:15 Teaching Self-Advocacy to Kids

22:32 Compassionate Staff with Shared Experiences

23:13 Connection and Mission Forward

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Misinformation still finds its way into the conversation.

Dorothy Gibbons and Dr. Raz dive into breast cancer myths, mammogram safety, risk factors, and common social media claims. They sort through concerns about bras, deodorants, cell phones, diet, and trauma. Evidence and screening guidelines guide the facts during this episode.

Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. Does getting a mammogram increase your risk of developing breast cancer due to radiation exposure?

2. Why is there so much controversy and skepticism surrounding mammograms and breast cancer screening, especially compared to other screenings?

3. Is breast cancer only a concern for women with a family history of the disease?

4. Is breast cancer purely an older woman’s disease, or can younger women get it too?

5. Does wearing an underwire bra or any bra cause breast cancer?

6. Can deodorant use (especially with aluminum) lead to breast cancer?

7. Is carrying a cell phone in your bra (or close to your body) a cause of breast cancer?

8. Does hair dye or using plastic water bottles increase breast cancer risk?

9. Does hormone replacement therapy (HRT) increase breast cancer risk?

10. Can breast injury or trauma cause breast cancer?

11. Does obesity relate to breast cancer risk?

12. Can animals sense breast cancer in humans?

13. Are alternative treatments or internet trends (like ivermectin or bee venom) effective against breast cancer?

14. Is it important for patients to trust their doctor and treatment process?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Mammogram Radiation: Safe and Essential

04:22 Annual Screening Controversy Explained

08:28 Breast Cancer: Risks and Incidence

11:14 Impact of Treating Women's Diseases

13:52 Aluminum in Deodorant Safe

18:29 HRT Risks and Tapering Explained

25:52 Ivermectin Misuse and Clinical Trials

28:51 Health's Role in Cancer Prevention

29:47 Poison Necessary to Fight Cancer

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cookie Joe has spent her life teaching dance, shaping not just technique but character, faith, and compassion in her students. When cancer struck, she embraced it as a purposeful challenge, inspiring her community through fundraisers, open conversations, and shared strength. Her story is a celebration of resilience, community, and faith over fear.

If this conversation matters to you, share the episode with your family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. How did Cookie begin dancing so early in life?
2. Why is dance such an important part of Cookie's identity?
3. What unique fundraiser is Cookie's dance school doing for breast cancer awareness?
4. Why are butterflies used as an emblem in her school’s breast cancer awareness activities?
5. What types of dance and performing arts does Cookie's school teach, and who attends?
6. How does Cookie make dance accessible to children with disabilities or limited opportunities?
7. In what ways does dance challenge and engage the brain, and how might it affect cognitive health?
8. How does dance serve as spiritual practice and meditation for Cookie?
9. What was Cookie's experience with breast cancer, particularly during COVID?
10. How did breast cancer impact Cookie's relationships and outlook?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 From Doctor Dreams to Music

03:15 "From Volunteer to Choir Teacher"

09:17 Finding Humor During Adversity

11:44 "Trust Me, We'll Be Fine"

15:59 Community Fair with Local Support

18:50 Community Support Through Collaboration

23:17 "Building Trust Through Connection"

26:40 "Empowering Women Through The Rose"

28:30 "Embracing Unique Personal Stories"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Keyanna McKenzie went from navigating family history and personal health challenges to creating the "Boobies and Babes" event, empowering women to prioritize their health. Her mission is to break the silence, foster community, and make conversations about breasts and self-exams a normal part of life. Inspired by her grandmothers and her own experiences, she now advocates for advocacy, awareness, and living dreams fully.

If this conversation matters to you, share the episode with your family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. How did Keyanna first learn about The Rose?
2. What led Keyanna to seek breast health care at a young age?
3. What was Keyanna's first experience at The Rose like?
4. Does Keyanna have a family history of breast cancer?
5. How did Keyanna discover her own breast lump?
6. How did Keyanna process the discovery of her lump and what was her next step?
7. What role did The Rose play in Keyanna’s diagnostic journey?
8. What inspired Keyanna to create the “Boobies and Babes” event?
9. What is unique about the “Boobies and Babes” event, and who is it for?
10. How does Keyanna address the stigma or lack of conversation among young women regarding breast health?
11. Why is genetic counseling and understanding risk factors important, according to Keyanna?
12. What challenges does Keyanna identify for women in accessing breast health care?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Breast Cancer Journey in Houston"

05:49 Pain, Caffeine, and Reality

09:41 "Normalizing Breast Health Conversations"

11:11 Young Women’s Health Awareness

13:54 "Advocating Wellness and Awareness"

19:37 "Honoring Memories and Love"

21:16 Edo Event With Modern Flair

23:34 "Be Your Own Advocate"

26:45 Empowering Women & Young Creatives

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joanne Patterson shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. At age 46 and a single mother of four, she knew the odds were against her. Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, she chose positivity and optimism as she battled against the cancer that steadily deteriorated her body.

While Joanne's journey has been marked by setbacks and obstacles - including losses no one would ever want to endure - her resilience and determination have never wavered. Twenty years later, she is the epitome of life lived to its fullest as she embraces each day with a renewed sense of purpose and appreciation, traveling the globe and enjoying the new friendships that have entered her life.

Help women like Joanne by pledging your support at therose.org.

Key Questions Answered

1.) How can gratitude and a positive attitude can help overcome challenges?

2.) How and why is perseverance key in moving forward?

3.) Why is it important to find joy and celebrate every day?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Reconnecting with The Rose after 20 years

01:47 Joanne's initial diagnosis and treatment

06:38 Maintaining a positive attitude during treatment

09:45 The impact of The Rose on Joanne and her daughter

15:33 Joanne's recurrence and ongoing treatment

25:30 The power of gratitude and acceptance

26:57 Coping with loss and maintaining resilience

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cristina Rodriguez, a Harvard-educated attorney and proud immigrant daughter, faced her diagnosis at 45 with honesty and vulnerability. Communication became her lifeline at home, especially with her young daughters. Now seven years out, she supports others through similar journeys and champions the life-saving power of routine screening.

If this conversation matters to you, share the episode with your family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. What is Cristina's background and where is she from?
2. How did Cristina end up at Harvard Law School, and was that her original plan?
3. What kind of lawyer is Cristina, and what is her role as a trial lawyer?
4. Did Cristina use her professional communication skills when dealing with her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment?
5. How was Cristina's breast cancer initially discovered?
6. How did Cristina communicate her diagnosis to her children, and what advice did she follow?
7. Did Cristina have to undergo chemotherapy?
8. Did Cristina have any family history or known risk factors for breast cancer?
9. How did Cristina support her friend Maria Boyce when she was diagnosed with breast cancer?
10. How did Cristina tell her colleagues and clients about her diagnosis?
11. What practical tips does Cristina offer other women about cancer screenings and self-care?
12. How does Cristina use her experience to support others facing cancer?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "From Georgetown Waitlist to Harvard"

05:26 "Waiting to Share the Truth"

06:52 "Parenting Through Surgery Decisions"

13:01 "Stress, Support, and Gratitude"

13:36 Supporting Through Experience Gaps

18:52 "Owning My Sharpie Marks"

21:02 "Flower Power for Support"

24:46 Practicing Compassion Through Support

28:51 "Lean Into Support, Prioritize Health"

30:26 "Support Others, Embrace Self-Care"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Stobbe's life took a dramatic turn from Broadway stages to confronting a breast cancer diagnosis, but she transformed adversity into action. Supported by her family, students, and community, she became a beacon of hope and openness. Her leadership in events like Paint the Path Pink now brings strength and awareness to countless others.

If this conversation matters to you, share the episode with your family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. What is Julie’s background and how did she get started in music?
2. How did Julie transition into teaching in the public school system?
3. How did Julie discover she had breast cancer?
4. Was the mammogram that detected cancer Julie’s first mammogram?
5. What stage was Julie’s breast cancer when it was diagnosed?
6. What treatment did Julie undergo for her breast cancer?
7. How did Julie communicate her diagnosis to her adult children?
8. What role did her school and local community play in supporting Julie during her treatment?
9. How did Julie become involved in the ‘Paint the Path Pink’ event, and what does the event entail?
10. How did Julie share her cancer journey with her students, and what was their response?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 From Doctor Dreams to Music

03:15 "From Volunteer to Choir Teacher"

09:17 Finding Humor During Adversity

11:44 "Trust Me, We'll Be Fine"

15:59 Community Fair with Local Support

18:50 Community Support Through Collaboration

23:17 "Building Trust Through Connection"

26:40 "Empowering Women Through The Rose"

28:30 "Embracing Unique Personal Stories"

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.