Delaware
Breast cancer young survivor wants to help others cope
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s Young Survivors in Action outings often include women of many ages, all diagnosed before the age of 40,
Stephanie Cumella was only 32, with two young children, when she was diagnosed with a deadly form of breast cancer.
The disease threw her world into chaos as she tried to cope with treatment, work, family life and more.
It would also lead her into a career change, working with young breast cancer survivors who, like her, were diagnosed in their 20s or 30s.
“I can’t really speak for everybody but I know for me your kids are in sporting events or they’re in some sort of class play, or they have things that they have to go to,” she said. “It’s very hard to really take care of yourself and make that time because your life really kind of revolves around being a mom, being a wife and being a homemaker.”
Her first interaction with the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition was at the time of her diagnosis, when the nurse navigator put her in touch with the Coalition’s Lois Wilkinson.
Wilkinson talked about her story, which started with a diagnosis at age 47. She left Cumella with the feeling that the Coalition offered a place of community. Even so, it was a few years before she attended a DBCC event.
That came at a Survivor’s Night at the Blue Rocks.
Cumella chose that event because it was a family event and because other events had been during the work day or at times that were hard for her to fit into the demands of her paralegal work, treatment regimen and family schedule.
Seven years later, she’s a Coalition Survivorship Specialist and program manager of its Young Survivors in Action program.
Her work with DBCC started when the company she worked for encouraged their workers to get back to a local charity. She chose to volunteer at the Monster Mile walk in Dover. a breast cancer fundraiser. That led to more volunteering and, finally, an invitation to join the team as a survivorship specialist.
Cumella says her goal is to help young women and men find lasting friendship and bonds that helps them cope with the traumatic experience of cancer.
“You know, a lot of times you feel like you’re alone in it, even if you’ve had a partner that walked right next to you,” she said. “It’s definitely different having been in those shoes.”
She found simply talking with women who had the same experience to be emotional, supportive and ultimately healing.
“It’s just taking that initial step and trusting that we’re very welcoming and making sure that everybody has a good time,” she said.
DBCC’s Young Survivor in Action programs are designed to foster friendships and relationships among those who have experienced the disease.
Diagnoses rising
Women being diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age is a rising national trend. It’s still considered unusual, affecting only about 5% of women under age 40, but the rate of those diagnoses have been rising at 2% a year, according to Breastcancer.org.
The median age at diagnosis is 62, meaning that half of the women are diagnosed before age 62 and half are diagnosed afterward, the website said.
Many of the young women are diagnosed when they are pregnant or around the birth of a child, partly because pregnancy hormones encourage the growth of some cancers.
Cumella said the youngest woman she’s known who was diagnosed with breast cancer was 28.
About 300 people have reached out or participated in Young Survivors programs in the last 18 months, Cumella said.
While Young Survivors focuses on those under the age of 40, many of the regular participants are people who were diagnosed young and have lived to be in their 40s, 50s and 60s.
“You are still a young survivor, you just happen to be over the age of 40,” Cumella said.
Their participation also helps younger women see that there can be a long, fruitful life after treatment, Cumella said.
Stehanie Cumella and her children at one Young Survivors in Action family outing.
She discovered her own cancer after finding a lump in her right breast when she was trying to figure out why it was hurting.
The doctor she went to see wasn’t particularly worried about the lump, mostly because of her age. He didn’t suggest a mammogram but when Cumella asked for one, he readily agreed.
That led to a diagnosis of triple negative cancer, one of the hardest to cure. Cumella later found out she had the BRAC1 gene mutation, a marker that put her at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer.
Cumella chose to have a bilateral mastectomy, removing both breasts, followed by eight rounds of chemotherapy. Two years later she had surgery to remove her ovaries and ovarian tubes. Finally, she had breast reconstruction called a DIEP flap, using her own body tissue.
She’s been cancer-free for seven years.
Cumella and her husband, Anthony, have been married for 15 years and have a son who’s about to turn 11 and a daughter who is 9.
She says she’s made some wonderful friends through the Young Survivors program and recently had a full-circle moment.
“A survivor asked me to be there for them during their last treatment, be there for them as they rang the bell,” she said. “It was such a magical moment to be there and months afterward, the survivor told me that ‘you continue to provide a listening ear and empathy and you always go above and beyond to make me feel special and accepted.’
“Hearing this was so rewarding and brought me to tears. It is in those moments, spoken or unspoken, that I truly feel as though I am making a difference.”
Young Survivor in Action outings cover a range of topics and interests.
Cumella plans events online and in person. They range from exercise-related program to arts and crafts to meditation. One of her upcoming in-person events is an Aug. 3 full body sound bath.
Each month, the program offers FUNctional Fitness, an exercise class that requires no equipment and is suitable for all fitness levels; Yogalates, a combination of yoga and pilates; and Healing Meditation.
Many program events are exclusively for breast cancer survivors, partly to create opportunities to ask questions about things like fertility, sex, having children and telling children.
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There are also several special events open to survivors and their families such as the upcoming Survivor’s Night at the Blue Rocks on Aug. 29.
Cumella also oversees the Coalition’s healthy cooking program, Yes to Health, which is open to anyone who is interested.
She said she wants people to know that she’s there for anybody diagnosed with breast cancer, particularly young women and men, and wants them to feel comfortable about reaching out.
The best way to contact her is through her email, [email protected], which pops up on her phone, too.
You can follow the group’s activities on Facebook and on Instagram.
Upcoming Young Survivor events
June 27, 6 p.m.: Clay Sea Creatures and Pinch Pots, Middletown
July 3, 9:30 a.m.: Yogalates, DBCC’s Young Survivors in Action Facebook page
July 12, 11:30 a.m.: FUNctional Fitness, DBCC’s Young Survivors in Action Facebook page
July 17, 9:30 a.m.: Healing Meditation, DBCC’s Young Survivor in Action Facebook page
Aug. 3, 1 p.m.: 1.5 hour full body sound bath, Newark Natural Foods Community Room
Aug. 29, 6:35 p.m.: Survivors Night at the Blue Rocks, Wilmington
Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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PHILADELPHIA – Snow stacked up quickly across the Philadelphia region Sunday, with new reports showing nearly 9 inches in some suburbs and several inches on the ground in much of the city.
December Snow in Willow Grove, PA (Photo: Tyler Thrasher/FOX)
The latest Public Information Statement from the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, issued at 10:36 a.m. Sunday, shows significantly higher snowfall totals than the early-morning reports. Many communities that were sitting at 1 to 3 inches before sunrise are now in the 5 to 8 inch range, especially north and west of Philadelphia.
5,500+ PECO homes, businesses without power Sunday as winter storm impacts region
In the city, an observation from Center City lists 3.6 inches of snow, while neighborhoods in the Northeast like Fox Chase, Bustleton and Somerton are reporting between 4 and 5 inches. An official reading at Philadelphia International Airport shows 1.3 inches, underscoring the sharp gradient from the airport to the rest of the city.
The heaviest bands have focused on parts of Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Lehigh, Carbon and Northampton counties, where multiple towns are now reporting 7 to 8 inches. South Jersey and northern Delaware have also seen a solid plowable snow, with widespread 4 to 7 inch totals in some communities.
These totals are based on reports collected through about 10:30 a.m. Sunday and may continue to rise where snow is still falling.
Snow totals in the Philadelphia area
Philadelphia
- Fox Chase: 5.0″
- Bustleton: 4.9″
- Rockledge (city border): 4.9″
- Somerton (1 SW): 4.3″
- Center City/Philadelphia (observer): 3.6″
- Philadelphia International Airport: 1.3″
December Snow in Willow Grove, PA (Photo: Tyler Thrasher/FOX)
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Chester County
- East Nantmeal Twp: 8.8″
- East Nottingham Twp: 8.5″
- Malvern: 8.0″
- Berwyn: 8.0″
- Exton area: 7.9″
- Atglen / West Sadsbury Twp: 7.8″
- West Caln Twp: 7.5″
- West Chester (2.4 SSE): 6.5″
Montgomery County
- Blue Bell (2.3 NW): 8.7″
- Near Worcester Twp: 8.5″
- Skippack area: 8.0″
- Harleysville / Salford Twp: 7.5″
- Pennsburg area: 7.0″
- New Hanover Twp: 7.0″
- Pottstown area (including Stowe and NE Pottstown): 6.6″–7.3″
- Norristown: 7.2″
- Willow Grove / Jenkintown corridor: 6.0″–6.4″
Bucks County
- Doylestown (3.4 SW): 8.0″
- Hilltown Twp: 7.8″
- Tinicum Twp area: 7.5″
- Perkasie / Souderton / Trumbauersville: around 7.0″
- Fricks: 7.0″
- Newtown / Langhorne area: around 6.0″
- Levittown: 5.0″
- Croydon: 5.2″
Delaware County
- Bethel Twp: 6.5″
- Springfield: 6.0″
- Upper Chichester: 5.5″
- Aston: 4.8″
- Morton: 4.9″
- Lansdowne: 4.0″
Berks, Lehigh, Carbon and Northampton counties
- East Nantmeal / Alburtis / Earl Twp / Lake Harmony / Lehigh Twp (Carbon): around 7.0″–8.0″
- Coopersburg (Lehigh): 8.0″
- Center Valley: 7.0″
- Macungie (1 NW): 6.5″
- Allentown: 5.6″
- Bethlehem area: around 6.0″
- Pen Argyl: 7.0″
New Jersey
Burlington County
- Moorestown: 7.0″
- Mount Laurel / Burlington: 5.8″
- Medford Lakes: 4.8″
- Mount Holly (NWS office): 3.6″
Camden and Gloucester counties
- Haddon Township: 5.7″
- Pennsauken: 5.7″
- Pitman: 5.6″
- Washington Twp (Gloucester): 5.5″
- Monroe Twp (Gloucester): around 4.0″
- Winslow Twp: 3.1″
Atlantic, Salem and Cumberland counties
- Hammonton: 4.0″
- Woodstown: 4.5″
- Salem: 3.8″
- Pennsville: 3.5″
- Ventnor City: 2.5″
- Atlantic City International Airport: 0.6″
Delaware
New Castle County
- Bear: 6.8″
- Hockessin: 6.0″
- Wilmington (north): 5.4″
- Newark area: 3.9″–4.6″
- Middletown area: 3.8″
- New Castle County Airport: 3.3″
Kent County
- Smyrna / Clayton / Cheswold area: around 2.0″
- Magnolia area: 1.4″
Winter Light Spectacular at Lehigh Valley Zoo canceled Sunday due to snow, cold temperatures
By the numbers:
- Highest total so far: 8.8″ in East Nantmeal Township (Chester County)
- Other standout totals: 8.7″ in Blue Bell (Montgomery County), 8.5″ in East Nottingham Township (Chester County), 8.0″ in Doylestown area, Coopersburg and parts of Carbon County
- City of Philadelphia: generally 3″–5″ away from the airport, with around 3.6″ in Center City and up to 5.0″ in Fox Chase
- Many suburbs: now in the 5″–8″ range, especially north and west of the city
What’s next:
Snow continues to impact travel across the region Sunday, with many neighborhood and secondary roads still snow-covered or slushy. Drivers should plan for reduced visibility, slick spots, and extended travel times, especially in areas that picked up more than 5 inches of snow.
The Source: This article is based on observed snowfall totals from the National Weather Service Mount Holly Public Information Statement.
How to safely shovel snow
The Mayo Clinic has some tips for safely shoveling snow.
Gas the snowblowers and get those shovels out because snowfall is headed for Delaware.
Snow is forecast for this weekend with bitterly cold conditions then settling in through early next week.
On Saturday, Dec. 13, the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey, placed all of Delaware under a winter weather advisory and the Delaware Bay under a gale warning.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia and areas surrounding the city are under a winter storm warning.
Here’s a look at what to expect with the Delaware weather forecast for Saturday, Dec. 13, through Sunday, Dec. 14.
Delaware weather radar
When will it snow?
A period of snow is expected the night of Dec. 13 through mid-morning Dec. 14, according to the National Weather Service.
This may start as some light rain or a rain/snow mix south and east of I-95 before quickly changing to all snow. Snowfall intensity may increase for a time early in the morning on Dec. 14.
About 1 to 5 inches of snow across the region is possible. While the location of where a zone of higher amounts can occur is less certain, the greatest chances for this is mostly across the I-95 corridor, the weather service said.
The snow will begin falling around 11 p.m. in Wilmington while snowfall will begin in the central portion of New Castle County by midnight and the southern part of the county by 1 a.m., according to the NWS.
The northern part of Kent County can expect snow to start falling around 2 a.m. and areas around Dover by 3 a.m.
Snow will begin in the southern part of Kent County and northern portion of Sussex County around 4 a.m.
Most of Sussex County can expect snow at 5 a.m. while the southern part of the county will see snowfall by 6 a.m. Areas around Rehoboth Beach can expect snow by 7 a.m.
How much will it snow?
That will depend where you are in Delaware.
A total of 1 to 5 inches of snow across the whole area. There could be a zone of 5-plus inches near I-95 into southern New Jersey and northern Delmarva, where snowfall rates near 1 inch per hour are also possible, according to the NWS.
Snowfall intensity may increase for a time early Sunday morning, forecasters said.
Most parts of New Castle County can expect up to 4 to 6 inches, while Kent County could see up to 1 to 2 inches in some areas. Sussex County should expect at least an inch, the NWS said.
Delaware snow forecast
Here’s an AccuWeather town-by-town snow forecast for this weekend in Delaware:
New Castle County
- Middletown: 3 to 6 inches
- New Castle: 4 to 6 inches
- Newark: 4 to 6 inches
- Pike Creek: 4 to 6 inches
- Wilmington: 3 to 6 inches
Kent County
- Dover: 2 to 4 inches
- Felton: 2 to 4 inches
- Harrington: 2 to 4 inches
- Milford (In Kent and Sussex counties): 2 to 4 inches
Sussex County
- Georgetown: 1 to 3 inches
- Millsboro: 1 to 3 inches
- Rehoboth Beach: 1 to 3 inches
- Seaford: 1 to 3 inches
Snow impacts
Here are some of the likely impacts of the weekend weather, according to the NWS:
- Snow-covered roads and slippery conditions possible the night of Dec. 13 and the morning of Dec. 14.
- Rain to snow could reduce the snow totals some. In addition, any pre-treating of surfaces would get initially washed away on the night of Dec. 13.
- Hypothermia or frostbite could occur with prolonged exposure and lack of proper clothing. Some impacts to infrastructure are possible the night of Dec. 14 through Dec. 16.
Windchills reach single digits, gale warning
When you’re outside shoveling, make sure to bundle up because it’s going to be bitterly cold Dec. 14 into Dec. 16.
Bitterly cold conditions will arrive Dec. 14 and continuing through early next week with the coldest time frame the night of Dec. 14 through the night of Dec. 15. Air temperatures on Dec. 16 stay below freezing across the region.
By Sunday night, the windchill will make it feel like 6 degrees in Wilmington, 4 degrees in Dover, and 5 degrees in Rehoboth Beach.
Many areas will not get above freezing from Sunday through Tuesday until a warming trend begins Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Peak gusts of 25 to 40 mph will be present Sunday into Sunday night which will result in very low windchill values.
Areas of blowing snow are possible, which may result in roads becoming snow-covered again and reduced visibility at times, according to the NWS.
Wind gusts between 35 to 40 knots are probable on the Delaware Bay and the New Jersey and Delaware Atlantic coastal waters along with hazardous seas. Areas of freezing spray are possible the night of Dec. 14 and Dec. 15.
How do I stay safe in the snow?
It is strongly recommended that you stay at home when it snows.
But if you absolutely need to drive, make sure you bear in mind the following safety tips:
- Drive slowly. Snow and ice can decrease traction on the road, so be sure to reduce your speed.
- Avoid using cruise control.
- Increase following distances from the usual two seconds to roughly five to six seconds, as it’ll take longer for you to come to a stop on snowy roadways.
- Make sure you have at least a half a tank of gas in your car.
- Make sure you have an emergency driving kit in your vehicle. Items should include blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, first-aid supplies, drinking water and shelf-stable food items like protein or energy bars and trail mix.
If there’s a chance you’ll have to shovel your driveway or walkway this weekend, make sure you pay attention to the latest weather forecast, wear appropriate clothing and boots, and drink lots of water.
Make sure you also pace yourself as you’re shoveling. Check if you feel any pain or soreness and have your phone close by in case of an emergency.
What should I do to keep warm?
With winter fast approaching, residents are recommended to take the necessary steps to stay safe as the weather turns cold.
This includes making sure your homes “can be safely heated” and you always have crucial items on hand in case of an emergency, including nonperishable and pet foods, water and medicine.
Delawareans are also encouraged to have a driving kit in their car this winter.
Items should include blankets or sleeping bags, extra warm clothing, first-aid supplies, drinking water and shelf-stable food items like protein or energy bars and trail mix.
Olivia Montes contributed to this story.
Delaware
Search Warrants in Dover Lead to Arrests for Drug and Gun Offenses – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
The Delaware State Police have arrested 39-year-old Neal Barnes, 52-year-old Anthony James, and 51-year-old Kevin Walker, all from Dover, Delaware, for felony drug and gun charges following three search warrants in Dover.
On December 11, 2025, members of the Kent County Drug Unit executed search warrants at three residences on the 60, 70, and 100 blocks of Vanessa Drive in Dover. The search warrants were obtained following an investigation of Neal Barnes, Anthony James, and Kevin Walker for the distribution of illegal narcotics from their residences. During the search warrants, all three suspects were detained inside their respective homes without incident, and a child was present in Walker’s residence.
During a search of Barnes’ residence, detectives found the following items:
- Approximately 2.76 grams of cocaine
- Approximately 99.76 grams of crack cocaine
- 9mm handgun and ammunition
- .38 caliber handgun and ammunition
- Digital scales
- Drug paraphernalia
During a search of James’ residence, detectives found the following items:
- Approximately 19.88 grams of crack cocaine
- Approximately 52.59 grams of cocaine
- Drug paraphernalia
- $2,472 in suspected drug proceeds
During a search of Walker’s residence, detectives found the following items:
- Approximately .69 grams of heroin
- Approximately .35 grams of methamphetamine
- Approximately 11.77 grams of crack cocaine
- Approximately 31 ecstasy pills
- Approximately 14 acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride pills
- Approximately 21 buprenorphine and naloxone sublingual films
Barnes was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $57,000 cash bond.
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
- Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of a Violent Felony (Felony) – 3 counts
- Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
James was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $146,000 cash bond.
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 3 (Felony)
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony)
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Walker was arrested and taken to Troop 3, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $39,500 secured bond.
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, Tier 2 (Felony) – 2 counts
- Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (Felony) – 2 counts
- Possession of a Controlled or Counterfeit Substance except Human Growth Hormone without a Prescription – 5 counts
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child by Committing a Drug Offense with a Child in the Dwelling
Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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