Meet Lesley, October’s SMOV Survivor
I am a native Hawaiian born and raised on the islands and have been living with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) for 10 1/2 years. My metastatic disease is in my bones and I am on my 4th line of treatment. Being diagnosed with DENOVO MBC, means that my life has changed in many ways, but I have not let the disease define who I am. I lost my career after diagnosis where I once ran a non profit named “Dandelion Wishes”, that brought therapeutic art into the women’s prisons, rehab centers and juvenile detention centers in Southern California. It was the career path that I had hoped I would stay on for the rest of my life. I also went through a divorce after my diagnosis. I was married for 30 years. One never knows how relationships will change. I am now a patient advocate for the metastatic breast cancer community. Being able to be the voice for those who can not speak for themselves on how we need to be included in research, clinical trials, and survivorship opportunities. Unfortunately, 116 of us die every single day, and we fight to change this constantly. Being able to attend SMOV, would be a dream come true. As a divorced, single woman living with metastatic breast cancer, vacations are few and far between, with financial responsibilities and the high cost of treatment. Recently life has really been turned upside down with the disaster in Hawaii. I’m here to help with anything and everything possible to support my community. A gift of a vacation would really change my life.
With Aloha, Lesley
Lesley’s Sponsor:
Grand Pacific Resorts
Send Me On Vacation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides breast cancer survivors in need with the opportunity to initiate the process of emotional healing through a vacation experience. To learn more about SMOV or donate, go to: https://sendmeonvacation.org/donate/
