Every story is unique. Our patients come from diverse economic backgrounds, a variety of household situations and live in different areas of the United States. The one common denominator is that they have personally been affected by breast cancer. Read about some of their individual experiences.
My breast cancer diagnosis turned my world upside down. As I hung up the phone, my physician’s words echoed, “Unfortunately, your biopsy results were positive for breast cancer.” I stood alone in my dining room in a state of paralytic shock. The memory of my mother immediately began to fill my mind, as I realized that I had inherited the same […]
Brianne was diagnosed with breast cancer in September of 2020. Within the next 13 months, she had six surgeries including a double mastectomy, an incision revision, and a LAT flap procedure. Brianne was unable to work for six weeks due to her most recent surgery, and it took her a while to pay for the […]
Jennifer Johnson, 42, is a single mother to two children. With only one household income, she knew she would need financial assistance in order to receive breast reconstruction surgery. Jennifer also knew that not being able to work after the surgery would be a “great strain” on her family. However, she really needed the procedure: […]
Selina Padilla, 61, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in December of 2019. She underwent chemotherapy and the removal and reconstruction of both breasts in 2020 and 2021. Selina said that “after a significant time of recovery from both surgeries my body has revealed the depth of the trauma it went through. I have […]
Megan Sullivan, 61, has been unable to work due to complications from breast cancer. The multiple surgeries, hospitalizations and infections made working a struggle and she lost her job. At this point, her unemployment and State Disability had run out and she was unable to complete her journey to feel whole again. Megan reached out […]
Lynn Galletti’s mom and sister Kate both battled breast cancer before they passed away. Lynn says, “knowing that I also carried the BRCA gene was weighing heavy on me in light of the rapid losses of my Mom and my oldest sister, who left a husband and 7 year old daughter behind. I feared being […]
Isamar was diagnosed and had a mastectomy at the young age of 18. While being a full-time student, she had her 2nd and final surgery in 2020 during the Covid Pandemic. As with many, the Pandemic meant a loss in work hours and created a financial strain. A portion of her surgical procedure had already […]
Diagnosed at the age of 42 from having a mammogram, her whole world was turned upside down. She couldn’t believe that SHE was affected by cancer. Out of all the women in her family, she was the first. She became depressed and withdrew from being around a lot of people. After her mastectomy, Kendra couldn’t […]
Sharlene describes herself as a PINK WARRIOR and has been fighting her battle since 2015. After her breast cancer diagnosis, she opted for a double mastectomy and reconstruction. After some complications, Sharlene reached out to the AiRS Foundation for help. “Without the financial support and other services provided by the AiRS Foundation, I do not […]
Ramona applied in December, 2019 with no health insurance and no idea where to go for help. We referred her to apply for financial aid at UC/San Diego & she was approved for coverage for her breast reconstruction. Ramona had her mastectomy/expander surgery in May,2020 and will complete her implant based reconstruction in August,2020. The […]