An Open Letter to the Organizers of Idaho’s Stampede for the Cure

For 9 years, certainly one of our station’s relationships in the neighborhood gave me the reward of being a part of one of many largest fundraisers for breast most cancers care and analysis in Idaho. 

Due to extraordinarily unfavourable social media feedback, I hardly ever write my articles in first particular person anymore. I’m not precisely positive when it occurred, however it looks as if individuals have forgotten what “Boise Type” is all about. Sooner or later, individuals stopped treating Boise radio hosts, TV personalities and journalists like we’re human. I’m somebody who simply desires to do job, introduce you to one thing new or educate you one thing you didn’t know earlier than. I’ve misplaced observe of what number of occasions that my husband has needed to hug me and attempt to put me again collectively after a unfavourable remark from our social media web page has pinged my watch and stopped our night lifeless in its tracks exterior of labor hours. 

I’ve been scared to share this story for that purpose, however it’s too vital to not share. I moved to Boise in June 2010. The subsequent Might, my new job bought me concerned with the Susan G. Komen Race for the Remedy. On the time, I used to be 23 years previous. There was no historical past of breast most cancers in my household. I knew how vital the occasion was, however and not using a private connection to breast most cancers I felt like I used to be going by the motions studying the statistics. 1 in 8 ladies might be identified with breast most cancers. Early detection is vital. Idaho is lifeless final for the variety of ladies getting their common screening mammograms. 

Flash ahead to 2022 and my world got here to a screeching halt. In the identical week, two mates that didn’t know one another posted on social media that that they had discovered a lump of their breast. Their experiences had been very totally different, however the underlying message was the identical. Do self checks. If one thing feels off, if one thing feels totally different, converse up. 

So, I did one thing I by no means considered doing earlier than. I did a self examination. Based mostly on the historical past I shared with you and the truth that I used to be below 40, I didn’t anticipate finding something. However I did. My blood ran chilly when I discovered a reasonably important lump in my proper breast. My coronary heart sunk and I instantly felt like throwing up. I’ve had traumatizing experiences with previous practitioners, so I keep away from medical doctors at any time when attainable. Via Townsquare Media’s involvement with the now defunct Komen Idaho Race for the Remedy, I knew this was one thing that I shouldn’t ignore. It took me every week to work up the braveness to inform my husband. I requested him to substantiate what I believed I felt. The lump was simple. When he felt it, I cried. I cried rather a lot, however with out him I in all probability wouldn’t have labored up the braveness to name Girls’s Well being Associates. 

Once I instructed them what I discovered, they instructed me that they needed to see me that day. Six hours later, I used to be in entrance of a compassionate supplier. They don’t do diagnostic mammograms of their workplace, so that they referred me to one of many main hospitals within the Treasure Valley. My PA was very trustworthy in telling me that the breast care providers had been very backed up and it could possibly be 5-6 weeks earlier than the hospital might match me in for a diagnostic mammogram. Each mates who had posted their tales shared related experiences, so I wasn’t stunned when she instructed me that. 

Effectively…it was a bit of longer than that. It took that hospital nearly two weeks to succeed in out to me to schedule that diagnostic mammogram and 56 days from my appointment at Girls’s Well being Associates to get me on the schedule. For nearly two months, that lump was all I might take into consideration. It affected my marriage. It affected my job. It destroyed my psychological well being. 

The hospital was lastly capable of see me final Monday and I can’t thank God sufficient for the excellent news I obtained. It was a benign cyst. Really, it was a number of benign cysts (a shock to me,) however in the end the physician decided that it was nothing to fret about. He instructed me that common screening mammograms beginning at 40 are simply tremendous.  As relieved as I’m, I’m mentally exhausted. For 2 months I attempted to be optimistic and so did the small group of people that knew what was occurring, however my thoughts stored operating the worst case situation. I used to be hesitant to say “sure” to something within the months following me discovering that lump. I hate letting individuals down. Sometimes, I’ll say sure to issues even on the expense of my psychological well-being…however this? It made me say no to a number of issues or keep away from giving concrete solutions to individuals who usually considered me as reliable and arranged. It destroyed me. 

On the flip facet, I mentioned sure to being a part of the Snake River Stampede’s “Stampede for the Remedy” and “Pink within the Grime,” two months earlier than discovering that lump. Wanting again, saying “sure” means a lot extra now. All of those feelings I felt? I felt these figuring out that I had job and medical insurance. That’s a blessing and it’s a blessing that not each girl in Idaho has. That breaks my coronary heart. 

Relating to the variety of ladies over 40 who get their common screening mammograms, Idaho ranks lifeless final in the US. Breast Most cancers, when caught in its early levels, has a 5-year survival charge of 90%. Sadly, in our state there’s a important variety of ladies who’re uninsured or underinsured. They that worry getting these screenings will put a monetary burden on their households or they reside in a rural space the place entry to mammograms is tough to come back by.

That’s the place Stampede for the Remedy steps in to assist. The Snake River Stampede has all the time believed in rodeo’s mission to additional breast most cancers consciousness, however in 2006 they determined that it was time to kind a non-profit to maintain their fundraising {dollars} in Idaho. They known as that non-profit Stampede for the Remedy. Since its inception, they’ve raised over $750,000 to assist ladies get their mammograms at St. Luke’s or St. Al’s, freed from cost. They’ll add to that complete this yr by their Pink on the Grime Luncheon and Public sale and Stampede for the Remedy night on Wednesday, July 20. 

I now not take a look at occasions like this as simply one other charity fundraiser. Now that I’ve been on the opposite facet of an consciousness marketing campaign like Stampede for the Remedy, its influence means a lot extra. I need to take this time to precise a heartfelt thanks to the organizers of Stampede for the Remedy and their board. What you’re doing issues. It issues a lot. It’s going to make an influence on individuals you by no means anticipated it to. Thanks, thanks, thanks. 

Stampede for the Remedy occurs Wednesday, July 20. Tickets are nonetheless out there for the night rodeo. For extra particulars and to hitch us for a really particular night time, click on HERE!