It is one of the true signs of fall here in Houston when the streets on
Island, Parkway are filled with thousands of people in pink.
So it’s a celebratory time here. Celebrating commemorating
bowing to find a
cure for breast cancer
to try to make that possible the plans for this year bigger than ever
here, to talk about it this morning, and why all of us should try to find some way
to take part
Kristin, brought a Susan G, Komen, State, executive director, the Gulf Coast
and a 13-year breast, cancer, survivor, and Corey Lee,
who
is also a breast cancer survivor for
Full disclosure, by the way. I was part of the hiring process for Christian when I was
on the board of Coleman, it obviously was a great move for both of us,
right? Yes.
Okay,
I’m going on, five years later. I know, man. Time is flying. Hey,
but now we have the race back again for the second year post
covid. You had it last year but it’s still changing is
bigger than changing bigger and better
last year we followed, you know, covid protocol CDC protocol
but this year we’re activating Sam Houston Park
and we have an after race party. So we’re back and forth.
We’re so excited. So having the race back, again means
normal in some category, but Coleman
also doesn’t want to sit still. I mean, we’ve evolved over the years to say, we
are used to be on the board, but I’m still family. Yes, your
things have changed, but their new programs, in place that can help women,
who are facing Diagnostic and meant to be. Absolutely. So, the funds
from the race that we raise, go to things like treatment assistance,
patient,
navigation,
and most recently, in July, we started a screening
and diagnostic voucher program. So men and women can actually
we can’t bear if they qualify
we can pass them that voucher
and we partnered with Methodist and they can go there and get their screen are
diagnostic mammogram. So how long is that process been
in place just since July.
Okay, just since July but the patient care Suite of services
our financial assistance program
has been in effect for a few years. And you know during this time we’re kind of
in a financial crisis
60% of our phone calls are people looking
for financial assistance right now breast cancer patients.
So this
race and the money raised
Really put a
huge difference. Yes. So Cory
as I mentioned
earlier that you have breast cancer, survivor, but you rather young, and I know that you
were feeling that way as well. How surprised were you
when you were diagnosed with breast cancer? When you 35
yes, very surprised shots. Heartbroken
I
always took care of my health and was made aware by my parents
of, you know, taking care of the precautions to avoid that, but
I
never thought that excuse me, it would be me.
And unfortunately with
Ten eight women. I was one of those. So what kind of cancer
did you have? And what is your journey been like to get back to where you are
now? So I was diagnosed with her to triple negative breast
cancer stage 3B. So
as you can imagine, very shocked,
my journey has been
a roller coaster really,
but my faith, my family and friends have definitely brought
me through.
I have been through
many rounds of chemo. Multiple surgeries lumpectomy
And
thinking that I was done
finding out that
I in fact was not, there was still residual cancer there so then
having to have a
misek mastectomy as well. So
been going through the motions, their
oral chemo is anything.
But the treatment center that I do at MD Anderson has been taking very
great care of me. The doctors and staff, there are amazing
and
they’re they’ve become really my family. So we talked about the family
talked about how important it is to have organizations
that family that
you may not have had before to have you
supported on this kind of Journey. Very important. I was
diagnosed during covid. So, unfortunately, my family was not able
to enter the building with me. So they were cheering me on from the sidelines,
but organizations, like has Susan G. Komen were there virtually.
I was able to take part in some programs.
I participated in the walk my first year and
this will be my second so I’m pretty excited about it and it’s
been a great experience. You know, there’s always a special place in
our hearts
It’s on that race day when people who have been going through what
you’ve gone through and they come out and take part in that race,
that is a big, big time for us to cheer you on and be in
your corner
and it’s so great when we see the race start out. And all
these people start riding down,
running down Parkway Kristen,
talked about the plans for Saturday.
What’s going to be in place that we still going to have the doves or I do? Yes, the
memorial doves Saturday. October 1st 6
a.m. you can register if you haven’t registered yet. If
you want to go online, you can do so at
Dot org
slash
Houston Race
and will be out there in full force. You can see by the tape,
the
crowds that come out and for supporting others and people
like Corey and and people like myself that are survivors and
people that are currently going through treatment to, I want to talk to you about
that as well because somebody, when you run into and you meet somebody like Cory,
who’s going through what she’s going through now and you have been there
almost
at the same age when you were diagnosed as well. So you had to
had to have the same sort of shocked about that early stage.
AJ. Yeah
I always say advocate for your own health.
There’s so many resources on Coleman dot-org that kind of
help explain some of the language. Even that you know that
you’re
you’re hearing all this new language for the first time and comb and
a Korg really has an explanation of those
terms and help and just, you know, reach out. And
just like you said, your family is a support system where here
are
four pillars or research Care, community and action,
and Community, being one of the biggest.
We just invoke
envelop
people like Cory at the time that she’s going through that process. How
important is it for you? Cory to be an advocate and speak
out about the process. You’re going through right now. It’s very important,
you
know? I don’t, I would not want anyone to feel alone
and that process,
it’s just inspiring to be inspired.
So if anything that I can do, share my story or a provide
resources,
give advice from Susan, G, Komen, and share those things,
any of the stats because black women
And unfortunately are 40% more likely to die from breast
cancer. So
it’s very important for me to be able to share that.
Well, I am
excited about the process that has brought you to
this point and I’m even more excited. As I pray
about what the future is going to be for you.
And if they have the same kind of future that Kristen has, who still going 13
years Survivor at this point
and many many more,
but thank you so much for being here this morning, okay? Okay, everybody remember the
date, Saturday, October, the first,
let’s hope for great weather. I don’t
Anything to do with that but let’s hope for it. Anyway,
I’ll put all of the information. You need on the newsmakers page
on click2houston.com Kristen barley Corelli.
Thank you for being here. Good luck in the race and good luck in your futures with
your health going. Thank you,
appreciate you being here.