1. Why did you decide to be a SHARE Breast Cancer Helpline volunteer?
Marjorie Schwartz, a Helpline Volunteer and Mentor, suggested I volunteer for the helpline. I was flattered to be asked and after thinking about it and considering whether or not I could make a real commitment, I agreed.
SHARE's Virtual Gala, A Second Helping of Life, is celebrating its seventeenth year on Monday, September 21, 2020. This year, attendees will join the gala virtually from the comfort of their own home for a fun and meaningful evening.
The funds raised by A Second Helping of Life enable SHARE to provide free support services and education programs to thousands of women and their families.
This September, join ovarian cancer advocates across the country for Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month through the #IWishIKnew campaign.
In honor of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month this September, SHARE, along with FORCE, T.E.A.L, and the Foundation for Women’s Cancer, are highlighting the voices of ovarian cancer survivors and patients speaking out on what they wish the public knew about ovarian cancer.
Why did you decide to be a SHARE Breast Cancer Helpline volunteer?
This is my second experience as a helpline volunteer. In 2016 I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer for the second time, and I was totally devastated. It happened that I was attending the SHARE Second Helping of Life that night, and my SHARE sisters calmed me down and got me thinking clearly again.
My cancer journey began in 2013. I was 33 years old, and had just gotten married six months prior to being diagnosed with uterine cancer. Being diagnosed with stage 1c uterine cancer changed my life and body forever.
My Name is Rosalind B. Pettiford. On November 2, 2009, I heard the terrifying words: “You have Uterine Cancer.” My only symptom was bleeding on vacation with my then Husband. We drove straight to the Veterans Hospital in Brooklyn on our way home, and Dr. Friedman scheduled me for a Pap smear.
I am very grateful that SHARE decided to start supporting women with
endometrial cancer so that I could join the community and benefit from its resources. In March 2017, I was diagnosed with stage IIIA uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) completely out of the blue at age 69. My only symptom was post-menopausal vaginal bleeding, and, at the time, I did not even know that it was a symptom of endometrial cancer.
April 28th was the fourth anniversary of the most frightening event of my life. I found myself remembering, in sharp detail waking up hemorrhaging, the ambulance ride to the hospital, the cold delivery of the news that it looked like cancer, blood transfusions, another ambulance ride to a different hospital, more transfusions, and a biopsy that became the surgical removal of a large tumor.
1. Why did you decide to be a SHARE Breast Cancer Helpline volunteer?
I found out about SHARE from a fellow SHARE volunteer that I met at a breast cancer
support group called Bay Area Young Survivors (baysnet.org), a group for those in the
bay area diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45. SHARE sounded like such an
amazing way to help other breast cancer patients/survivors across the country, and I
wanted to give back, as I received so much support from BAYS. I've been with SHARE
for just over 1 year!
2. What do you like most about being a Helpline volunteer?
Sometimes when I get a call, I feel nervous about whether I will be able to provide the
support that the caller needs.
I was diagnosed with endometrial uterine cancer in September of 2015. My symptoms were minor and I only realized they were “symptoms” after I was diagnosed and told what some of the symptoms were...bleeding, bloating and discharge. Heart disease runs in my family so cancer never entered my mind!
In 2013 gynecologist sent me for a hysteroscopy due to some light bleeding.
