Survivors Who Inspire: Pete and Bonnie

Pete (left) pictured with Bonnie (right) on March 12 at Cokesbury Village

Pete Quayle is 91 years old, but after a few moments together you’d believe she’s nearly half that age! She’s active and a great listener, with a heart of gold.

Pete was diagnosed with breast cancer five years ago. She was no stranger to the disease, her sister had passed away from breast cancer many years earlier. Pete’s tumor showed up on a routine mammogram. It was early stage and so small that she couldn’t even feel it. When determining her course of treatment, she was told she was the “poster child” for savi, a newer, 5-day radiation using a bundle of tubes to deliver therapy from inside the breast. She went through treatment and was on the road to recovery. Just 1 month later her granddaughter was diagnosed.

Pete thinks of her breast cancer as a gift. It helped her provide understanding and support to her granddaughter, facing her own battle with the same disease. Pete then became a trained peer mentor through the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, so she could help others going through breast cancer with a similar diagnosis, treatment plan, or stage of life. She has mentored a handful of women, including Bonnie Siley.

When Bonnie was diagnosed with breast cancer in May of 2016 she was very surprised. She was the first in her family to have breast cancer. Her doctor gave her a few treatment options, one of which was savi. Unsure, Bonnie called the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, looking for some guidance. She was connected to a trained peer mentor, close to her age, with a similar diagnosis, and that mentor was Pete. Pete told Bonnie about her positive experience with savi and provided her with background about what to expect. Bonnie went through her treatment and nearly two years later, she is healthy and happy.

What blossomed over the course of Pete and Bonnie’s breast cancer journeys has become a real friendship. They get together for lunch throughout the year. Pete recently visited DBCC’s Great Stuff Savvy Resale for some retail therapy, where Bonnie is a loyal volunteer. These women have supported each other and today, share a vigorous bond that connects all breast cancer survivors.

Pete was recently told by her doctor she could stop getting annual mammograms but she is not interested in stopping anytime soon! Long live tenacious, kindhearted women like Pete and Bonnie. DBCC is proud to have played a small role in connecting their lives and will continue to help newly diagnosed patients so they do not have to face breast cancer alone.

If you or someone you know has been recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, visit www.debreastcancer.org or call 1-866-312-DBCC to get your peer mentor, and so much more!

Staff Profile: Laura Hernandez

Laura Hernandez, Bilingual Screening Navigator 

Laura is our Bilingual Screening Navigator. Starting as a volunteer in 2015, she became part of the staff in October of 2016. As you can tell, Laura is currently the youngest staff member DBCC has. Working from the Wilmington office, Laura does scheduling and translating for the State of Delaware’s Women’s Mobile Health Screenings Van. She also helps out with outreach events, and occasionally helps out in the Development Department. Born in Mexico, but raised in the U.S, Laura is fluent in both English and Spanish, making her our third bilingual staff member. Laura graduated from Delcastle Technical High School as a certified Cosmetologist in 2016. She is currently a student at the University of Delaware; where she anticipates graduating in May of 2020 with a bachelor in accounting. Laura aspires to become a Certified Public Accountant one day. When she’s not studying, Laura enjoys taking long naps, going for coffee runs, and being a dog mom to a three year old terrier mix named Toby.

To contact Laura, please email her at lhernandez@debreastcancer.org

Staff Profiles: Beth Krallis

Beth Krallis, Communications Director 

Beth Krallis, our Communications Director joined DBCC in September 2013. Working from our Wilmington office she manages the promotional activities of the DBCC’s programs and services, fundraising initiatives, and breast cancer advocacy. She also oversees the design and production of marketing materials including press releases, brochures, audio-visual materials/presentations and media communications. In addition, Beth coordinates all social media activities and assists with special events, partnership events, and other duties as required. Born and raised in Oceanside, New York. Beth moved to Delaware in 2005 to attend the University of Delaware where she majored in International Relations with minors in History and Economics. She graduated in 2008 and moved to Wilmington. Today, she lives in Wilmington with her husband, Chris.  Beth loves the beach, reading, tomatoes, animals and hashtags.

To contact Beth, please email her at bkrallis@debreastcancer.org 

A PINKtober to Remember

Well friends… we certainly had an October to remember! We want to give a huge thanks to the staff members, board members, volunteers, survivors, and supporters who made magic happen over the last month. October is a time to raise awareness, support, and funds for breast cancer and every year we are blown away by how many businesses, restaurants, community organizations, elected officials, and community members come to us to raise support and awareness for the cause. Thanks to YOUR INTEREST AND YOUR EFFORTS, we are able to come together and turn awareness into action. As a local organization, we rely on local fundraising efforts to help fund our mission and programs of breast cancer support, mentorship, and education in the community. NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU! 

Just a quick recap… on our October to remember!

• We had thirty-three (33) partnerships and breast cancer events throughout the month.  This number does not count the many donations we received from generous supporters who just came together on their own and donated the proceeds to DBCC. This includes Dewey Goes Pink, which raised $95,000 and the Georgetown Car Show which raised over $10,000 among many others.
  

  
• We had fourteen (14) month long partnerships throughout October. These were businesses who ran month long promotions to support the cause.
• Winner for the “Most Bizarre” funds raised goes to WSTW who auctioned off a pink unitard worn by one of their DJ’s throughout October at various events.  They chose DBCC as the recipient of the funds.  Custom Coatings & Designs bid and won it for $500! 
• Twelve (12) new partnerships came in during October. These are organizations who we haven’t worked with before and we are grateful they came to us!
• The State of Delaware’s Women’s Mobile Health Screening van spent 18 days on the road screening throughout the state which averages to a little over four screenings a week! They provided breast and cervical screenings, along with blood pressure screenings, cholesterol, glucose testing, to women who are traditionally underserved and/or underinsured when it comes to accessing healthcare.
• Staff attended over twenty (20) outreach events and breast health presentations, held three (3) Pink Ribbon Teas for breast cancer survivors, one (1) ¡VIDA! Multicultural Outreach and Screening event; and one (1) educational conference with Christiana Care – Every Woman Matters.
• Great Stuff Savvy and Home had a FANTASTIC month.  They ran a month long customer appreciation month with DAILY incentives to shop. 
• And among all that, we continued to assist countless women, men, and their families through our programs and services which will allows us to serve as Delaware’s most trusted breast cancer resource!

Special thanks to all of our 2017 October partners. If we missed you, please contact bkrallis@debreastcancer.org to add your name to the list. It was only an accident if you were left off. 🙂

Bel Boutique, Big Fish Grill Rehoboth, Big Fish Grill Ocean View, Big Fish Grill Glen Mills, and Big Fish Grill Riverfront, Blooming Boutique, Iron Hill, Brickworks, Capitol School District, Chaiyo Dover Sushi & Thai, Columbus Inn, Continental Jewelers, Deer Park Tavern, News Journal/Delaware Online and Delaware Auto Show, Gatehouse Media, Del-One Federal Credit Union, Dewey Goes Pink (Starboard & Body Shop Fitness Rehoboth), Delaware Sports League, Sussex Tech Volleyball, Fusion Fitness, Georgetown Car Show, Bayhealth Go Pink!, Harvest Ridge Winery, McAleer School of Irish Dance, Kings Tire and Lube Milford, Lefty’s Alley and Eats, Katie O’Rourke LuLaRoe, Melodic Movements Dance Team and Performing Arts Program, DBCC’s Monster Mile for a Cause sponsors and participants, Dover International Speedway, Painting for a Cause at Glasgow Park Barn, Tonic, Oxford Feed and Lumber, Pink Ribbon Boutique,  Plantantion Lakes, Salon Pasca, Something Sweet Gourmet, Tanger Outlets Rehoboth, Currie Hair Skin Nails Glen Mills and Justison Landing, TJ’s Auto Repair Milford and UD Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey. 

 

 

DBCC Staff Profile: Migdalia Garduno

Migdalia Garduno,

Bilingual Outreach & Screening Coordinator 

Migdalia is our Bilingual Outreach and Screening Coordinator. She has been working for DBCC since 2014, starting as an intern she quickly settled as a full time employee. Working from our Wilmington office, she does outreach for New Castle County, and also translates for Hispanic patients on the Women’s Mobile Health Screening Van. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Mexico, she is fluent in English and Spanish, making her our second bilingual staff member. She graduated from Wilmington University in 2015 with B.A. in Behavioral Science.  Migdalia currently lives in Newark, DE with her husband Rey, their expected daughter Alessandra Ines, and their three dogs, Lalis, Romeo, and Bella.  

To contact Migdalia, please email her at mgarduno@debreastcancer.org

 

Staff Profiles: Eliza Mohler

Eliza Mohler, Development Coordinator 

Eliza Mohler joined DBCC in June 2017 as Development Coordinator. She is responsible for managing fundraising projects and special events, including community partnerships. As a long-time Delaware resident, Eliza is excited to use her 20 years of non-profit experience to help support women in her home state. She lives in Claymont with her husband and rescue dog, and in her spare time, she enjoys music, film, and writing.

To contact Eliza, please email her at emohler@debreastcancer.org    

Staff Profile: Midline Estimable

Midline Estimable, Bilingual Community Outreach Manager

 

Midline is our Bilingual Community Outreach Manager, and started working for DBCC in 2017. Working from our Rehoboth office, part-time and in the Nanticoke Cancer Center in Seaford, Midline manages outreach events in the Sussex County.  Midline is one of four bilingual staff members. Born in Haiti, Midline is fluent in both English and Creole. Midline emigrated from Haiti into the United States at the age of four. She later graduated from Wesley College in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts. She now has a son named Jordan who she says is the joy of her life.

To contact Midline, please email her at mestimable@debreastcancer.org

Staff Profile: Kelly Paustian

Kelly Paustian, Office Manager/HR

Kelly with her husband Nate, and son Jackson at Longwood Gardens.  

Kelly Paustian has been at DBCC since August of 2009 when she started out as an Administrative Assistant in our Wilmington office.  Today, she is the agency’s Office Manager/HR Specialist and is the self-described, “Girl who has her hand in a little bit of everything”.  Kelly assists with grants and volunteers, oversees the agency’s partnerships, serves as the liaison between the Board of Trustees and the agency, manages human resources, coordinates meetings and events, and more. Kelly graduated from the University of Delaware in 2004 with a B.A in Sociology. Aside from that, Kelly is a proud wife to Nate, and mom to their son, Jackson, born September, 2016.  Mira, a 75lb shepherd/husky mix rounds out their family.  Kelly is also involved with the Wilmington Drama League, a local community theater, where she directs children’s plays.

To contact Kelly, please email her at kpaustian@debreastcancer.org

Senator Stephanie Hansen Tours Women’s Mobile Health Screening Van

On Monday, July 24th, Senator Stephanie Hansen was eager to tour the Women’s Mobile Health Screening Van while it was at Westside Family Healthcare in Bear.

“It’s absolutely critical that we increase awareness and access to preventive care like mammograms, both from an individual quality-of-life perspective and to help control our health care costs as a society,” said Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown. “Improving access is a real challenge in many communities across the state, some of which are miles from the nearest doctor’s office. Making cancer screenings a mobile service is a huge step in bridging that gap, and I applaud the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition for going above and beyond.”

The Division of Public Health’s Women’s Mobile Health Screening Van is a mobile screening van that goes to local communities in Delaware to provide a number of services including:

• Breast Screenings
• Cervical Screenings
• Blood Pressure Screenings
• Cholesterol testing
• Glucose testing
• Information on healthy lifestyles
• Translation services for Spanish and Haitian-Creole

It screens underserved women throughout the state and completed 1,005 mammogram screenings in the last fiscal year with 85% of these women considered low income.

Women ages 40 and older who are interested in scheduling a breast or cervical screening should contact the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition at 1-888-672-9647 to schedule their appointment. Click here to view the screening schedule on the Coalition’s website. Women who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for a free screening through the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) Screening for Life program.

 

Get Ready for the Battle on the Turf 5k Run/Walk!

It’s time to put on your racing shoes because on Wednesday, September 13th, the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is holding its first annual Battle on the Turf 5k Run/Walk and 1.5 mile Fun Walk. This event is at the DE Turf Sports Complex in Frederica, Delaware and will start at 6:30 p.m. It is open to women, men, and children of all ages and is family friendly!

 

Now here are a few things that you need to know about the event:

• You can register before the event at races2run.com/events/battle-on-the-turf-5k/ for $25 until September 11th.
• You can also register for Battle on the Turf the day of the race for $30 starting at 5:00 p.m.
• You can register as an individual or as part of a team.
• The event doesn’t just end the minute you cross the line as there will be REFRESHMENTS, MUSIC, AND AWARDS!
• The awards given out after the race are for the top males and females in various age groups along with team awards that will be given out.

And what is this 5k helping the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition with? Our programs! This 5k will benefit our programs that:

• Increase breast cancer awareness
• Promote the importance of early detection
• Provide access to mammograms and bilingual screening navigators
• Offer support and resources to women and men in the community that are newly diagnosed or facing a recurrence of breast cancer.

All of this would not be possible without our sponsors & Supporters: DE Turf Sports Complex, Bayhealth, Dover Colonial Rotary, Dedicated to Women ObGyn, Wesley College, L&W Insurance, Eagle 97.7 FM, Races2Run, SODEL Concepts, and UnitedHealthCare.

We look forward to seeing you on September 13th at DE Turf Complex!