Paying tribute to those we loved and lost to breast cancer is important. We want them to be remembered while we strive to improve the outcomes for others. If you would like to honor the memory of someone you lost to breast cancer, email us for information.
To view the memorial tribute to BCA co-founder Lucy Day click here
Over 24 years ago, Mary Waterman, my aunt, chose to put her talents, work ethic and connections to work. When she had a terminal cancer diagnosis she did not sit back and let victimhood take over the remaining time she had left. Instead, she chose to RISE. She was a humble, hairless and beautiful warrior during one of the most trying times of her life. During her journey of a double mastectomy, radiation, chemo and a bone marrow transplant she started Breast Cancer Alliance which has raised millions of dollars for breast cancer research since its inception. Her story is a constant reminder for me to rise, for all of us to rise. She did not want others to face what she went through so she chose to rise up and educate women on the importance of preventative breast care and being your own advocate. I am thankful for the many ways Aunt Mary has inspired me and so many other women. ~ Sarah Yarbrough; Lile Gibbons also paid tribute to Mary Waterman Lauren Brown, a founding editor of Quartz and beloved daughter of Alison and Jay Brown died last November at age 37. Lauren Brown was a rare gem of a person. She had the most generous heart, and would give it freely to those she knew. She loved deeply — her family, her friends, her work, life — and she was loved. She encouraged and empowered her staff at Quartz to speak and write frankly, and showed them that their voices were worth hearing. Quartz launched in 2012 as a digitally native news outlet, designed to be consumed on smartphones. In 2016, amidst the trigger-minefield of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Lauren helpfully listed things well-meaning people should avoid saying to someone with cancer. More important, she made a list of things you should say:
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Cokie Roberts, a renowned journalist, author, spoke at the Breast Cancer Alliance Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show in 2011. She died last January after a battle with metastatic breast cancer. Cokie was a strong believer in research and prevention of breast cancer. Thousands jammed the cathedral in Washington to honor her. BCA was fortunate to have Cokie's daughter, Rebecca, say a few words in her memory at our virtual Medical Symposium in September. ~ Sister Joan Magnetti Mary Anne Lilley was born in 2013 in Hibbing, Minn, and raised in Stamford, CT. She met her soulmate on a trip to Virginia Beach in her 20s and moved south. Married with a son in the 6th grade, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-40s and underwent a radical double mastecomy. Mary Anne worked at the Dolly & Bobbie Shop on Colley Avenue and Virginia Beach Boulevard for more than 40 years. She will always be remembered as a dear, subtle woman known for her grace, love, happiness, and devotion to family. |
My sister, Maryanne Kresse, was first diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple Negative breast cancer in January 2015 after she found a lump in her breast. She underwent a double mastectomy and lymphadenectomy at MSK in New York City, two rounds of chemotherapy and one round of radiation. Within a year, she was declared cancer-free. In the fall of 2019 her cancer returned, although it was not diagnosed until nearly Thanksgiving. While she qualified for a clinical trial at Dana Farber, she was not considered receptive to the chemotherapy, so she chose not to pursue this path, but rather to live her remaining days on her own terms. She passed away at a young 72, almost 5 years to the day of her original diagnosis.
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Lisa Ann Rotell – March 3, 1964 – April 23, 2018 |
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Irene Koch, grandmother of Kim Kerr For Jeanne Swanson from her daughter, Joy Gregory: If Roses Grow in Heaven – A poem by Dolores M. Garcia "If roses grow in heaven, Lord, please pick a bunch for me, Place them in my mother's arms and tell her they're from me. Tell her I love her and miss her, and when she turns to smile, place a kiss upon her cheek and hold her for a while. Because remembering her is easy, I do it every day, but there's an ache within my heart that will never go away." Not a day goes by that I don’t miss you Mom. It was such an honor and a blessing to have shared this life with you. You were taken far too soon from us and my heart will never be whole again. I will keep fighting your fight for you...for everyone. I love you always, Joy
Lile Gibbons in memory of Susan Elia Jane Ghazarossian in memory of Lucy Day Gale and Robert Lawrence, Jr. in memory of Debbie Black Elaine Madonna in memory of Margaret LaPolla Margot and Charles Tusa in memory of Nancy Murray Jane Weitzman in memory of Irma Wallin |
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