Lesley Geller (Skin Graft Recipient)

Knowledge is Power

Lesley is a motivational speaker, life/business coach, and an optimistic fitness fanatic. As a mother of two young men, she found herself unprepared for the life-threatening storm brewing. “My mother died of pancreatic cancer,” Lesley recalls. “She also had the BRCA gene mutation.” Since offspring of carriers have a 50% chance of inheriting the mutation, Lesley was tested at the urging of her family. The results confirmed that Lesley was a carrier. She was now at increased risk of becoming part of the 1 in 8 U.S. women who will develop breast cancer in their lifetimes. Armed with this knowledge, what would she do?

As a precaution against ovarian cancer, Lesley immediately had her ovaries removed. Doing so lowered her risk of ovarian cancer from 40% to 0% and lowered her risk of breast cancer from 85% to 40%. Initially, she was adamant, however, that she would not have a double mastectomy. But she recalled her 23-year old son saying: “Mom, that’s still almost a 50% chance of getting the disease.” Lesley knew that at all costs, she had to avoid the risk of later having to look into her oldest son’s eyes having to tell him that she had gotten a cancer that could have been avoided with the mastectomy. Simultaneously, her sister decided to undergo the preventive procedure. She did this as a preventive measure despite a history of normal mammograms. After surgery, however, tests revealed precancerous cells in the removed breasts. Terrified, Leslie immediately called her own doctor and said: “We need to schedule the double mastectomy. I’m not going to go sit and wait for it [cancer] to get me!”

After a very difficult surgery, Lesley prepared to return to work a week later. She learned that the tissue graft used in her reconstructive surgery came from a donor. "I was so touched. I had never even heard about tissue donors. I was just kind of astounded and really touched that someone would go out of their way to be a donor and never even know its possibility". A tempest of emotions left Lesley sobbing, "With an 85% risk of developing breast cancer, I lived in fear of my future. Yes due to the generosity of a skin donor and preventative breast reconstructive surgery, I am now empowered by what the future holds," Lesley proudly exclaims.

Mary Louis (Skin Graft Recipient)

Grateful for the Gift

It was an ordinary Friday afternoon when Mary, an energetic teacher in Houston, was wrapping up her workday. She straightened her room, erased the whiteboards, and then checked her email. To her surprise, she saw a stunning message from her physician: "The results from your biopsy are back and we are 80% sure that it is cancer," it read. The news was devastating. "What does this mean?"... "Are you sure this is my diagnosis?" she wondered. She spent the weekend in turmoil, thinking about what she had just read but unable to ask questions about her condition. None of this made sense. Mary runs marathons and practices yoga. She's vegan and eats a gluten-free diet. "It couldn't be me," she thought. Mary had always been a picture of health. In fact, cancer had never visited her family tree. Her life had been consumed with teaching students by day and by night. After years of saving, she was finally able to buy a cozy vacation home in the French countryside. How could cancer be touching her life, her body, especially now?!

The news became more devastating. Mary had triple negative breast cancer--the most aggressive type of breast cancer-- affecting mostly young, pre-menopausal minority women. Traditional treatments for this type of breast cancer are not effective. After visiting with an oncologist, Mary immediately began chemotherapy and subsequently chose to have bilateral mastectomy to avoid the possibility of cancer affecting the other breast. A few months later, she scheduled breast reconstruction surgery and decided to use donated skin graft for the procedure. Mary had learned from a cousin that using donated skin grafts was an option to improve the outcome of reconstruction and she believes her surgical results are excellent.

Gratitude is a word that comes to mind often to Mary. She's grateful for her new perspective on life, family, friends, and her donor gift that enabled Mary to feel whole again. "I've always been a donor. I registered a long time ago but feel honored to be part of the receiving end of this cycle of giving. I've always been a giver, but this has awakened me to a whole new level of gratitude for the generosity of such a gift". Today Mary enjoys running again, spending vacations at her countryside him in France, and speaking to small groups about her cancer journey.

You can view Mary’s video story on our YouTube Channel.

Naheima Sears (Skin Graft Recipient)

Surfing the Tsunami

Imagine being CEO of a fashion company when a monster wave threatens your life. Naheima, both a proud mother of three children and an avid surfer, experienced just that. While catching waves in Sri Lanka, she had a terrible surfing accident. Naheima hit the ocean floor and was bruised badly from her neck to her knees. During her treatment, the doctors discovered a tumor growing in the back of her breast. Naheima was diagnosed with breast cancer on her daughter’s birthday. The devastating news hit her like a tsunami.

As part of her healing journey, Naheima received 5 months of chemotherapy. During her second round of treatments, she also received immunotherapy. In time, Naheima underwent a mastectomy. During the breast reconstruction procedure,  her surgeon used donated human skin grafts. A common concern for women undergoing treatment is how natural they will look and feel afterwards. Naheima’s response was simple: “I couldn’t be happier with the results.”

Naheima has become more comfortable talking about her experience. She has reached out to her community and connected with others who had been through similar experiences. She realized the impact that donation had on her life and wrote to her donor family. “I definitely will be living my life more fully and will try to care for myself a little bit more.” Upon reflection, Naheima says “I think I’ve always been an extremely positive person and thought life was precious, but this definitely added a different layer of perspective. And to be honest, there is not a day that goes by where I don’t think about the gift that I was given. It sits on my heart. How could I not think about the person that gave their life, you know?” Naheima is grateful for the gift of life and looks forward to catching the perfect wave again soon.

Sue Pilon (Skin Graft Recipient)

Without Missing a Beat

At age 52, Sue was diagnosed with breast cancer, the third generation of her family to battle the disease. Her maternal grandmother died of the disease but her mother, now deceased, was a 25-year survivor. It was her mother’s experience as a breast cancer survivor that greatly affected Sue’s attitude towards her diagnosis.

“When it was my turn to face this disease, I was determined to not just beat it. I wanted my life back completely. Breast reconstruction was not offered to my Mom and her quality of life wasn’t the same after cancer,” Pilon said. “Given all the advances in breast cancer treatment and reconstruction options in the years since, I was certain there was a path available that would get rid of the cancer and yet allow me to get back to the way I looked and felt before the surgery.”

The University of Michigan Breast Cancer Center and Plastic Surgery Department provided the answer. Since Sue’s cancer was discovered very early, and her overall health was very good, she was a candidate for reconstructive surgery using dermal skin grafts. Her mastectomy and reconstruction all occurred on the same day and she left the hospital 24 hours later, cancer-free and not requiring any additional reconstruction.

“This is a tremendous gift I’ve been given. I am extremely aware and appreciative
of the fact that a family, at the worst possible time, was asked if they were willing
to make a gift of organs and tissue from their loved one, so that other people –
strangers – might have a great quality of life after breast cancer without missing
a beat. I thank my donor family in my heart every day,” said Pilon.

Denise Cantrell (Skin Graft Recipient)

Resilience: Surviving Breast Cancer

Denise is a musician with a passion for living a vibrant life.  She loves writing music and also practices yoga—one of her favorite hobbies. To her dismay, Denise was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017. The diagnosis was particularly jarring because only a year earlier, her mammogram test was negative. “I started experiencing pain under my armpit. I didn’t think much of it at first, but then the pain was persistent,” Denise recalls.  The shocking news came as she was departing on a long-anticipated trip to Paris with her husband.  Denise was urged to repeat her mammogram as soon as possible.  The biopsy confirmed her worst fear—Denise had stage 2A breast cancer.  Days later, she underwent a total bilateral, skin-saving mastectomy. 

Denise made a slow but steady recovery. Six weeks after her surgery, she was even able to begin yoga again. Shortly after that, however, Denise experienced complications, so a second surgery was needed. Following surgery using donated human tissue, Denise recovered well from the surgery and is back to enjoying life. 

Denise and her husband are passionate about organ and tissue donation and are both registered donors. “I really didn’t realize that you could donate something other than the major organs and corneas. That’s what you hear about in the media.  Donated tissue helps so many people, like myself, with surgeries every single day."  Denise and her husband look forward to one day touching other’s lives with the generous gift of donation.

Sterlynn Clendenin (Skin Graft Recipient)

Climb of a Lifetime

For Sterlynn, a 30-year-old who loves hiking and other outdoor activities, moving to Colorado was a dream come true. This was the perfect place to combine her work as a philanthropic event planner with her love of outdoor activities like camping, tennis, and running. Unfortunately, five months after she moved, she received a devastating diagnosis. She had breast cancer. Although both her mother and grandmother had been struck with the disease, the diagnosis was still shocking for a vibrant young woman like Sterlynn.

Hundreds of miles from her friends and family on the east coast, Sterlynn found herself facing the biggest uphill battle of her life. Nevertheless, she courageously forged on. Completing 6 rounds of chemo, Sterlynn chose to have both breasts removed. In a single surgery, the cancer was taken out and each breast was successfully reconstructed using donated dermal tissue. As difficult as it was to deal with the loss of her native breasts and adjust to the new ones, Sterlynn was thrilled with the results of her breast reconstruction.

When Sterlynn learned that donated skin was used in her surgery, this tugged at her heartstrings. “My work with philanthropy relies on the generosity of people to give so that others can get the help they need. Now, I am experiencing generosity of a different kind—generosity in a deep and personal way,” remarked Sterlynn. As one of over 3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, Sterlynn feels blessed to have received the precious gift of life. Through tissue donation, she proudly reclaimed her life with a renewed sense of vigor and is now enjoying life in the midwest with her husband and daughter.

Kelly Gilbert (Skin Graft Recipient)

Learning to Live Her Best Life

Kelly is an instructional specialist that loves being in the classroom and making a difference in the lives of children. Happily married with a four-year-old daughter, she enjoys reading, outdoor sports, and spending time with her friends. About once a month, Kelly meets up with friends she met when she started teaching 15 years ago.  During those times, she enjoys catching up over coffee and sharing play dates with the other mothers.  Over time, however, she began to sense that something was wrong.

Kelly felt a small pea-sized lump in her upper left breast. Knowing that breast cancer ran in her family, her husband encouraged her to get it checked out. Her doctor suggested she get a mammogram, which was soon followed up with an ultrasound and a biopsy.  A few days later, on a Friday afternoon, she got a call from her radiologist. Her test results were not good, but another radiologist would review the results with her on Monday.  After an agonizing weekend of waiting anxiously, Kelly learned that she had a very aggressive form of cancer called triple negative breast cancer. Further testing also revealed that she had the BRCA gene. 

Armed with that knowledge, Kelly decided to undergo a bilateral mastectomy. During her breast reconstruction procedure, donor tissue was used. Kelly was already a registered organ donor, and her experience with donation only strengthened her feelings. “It was really difficult to think about what that family had to go through, but knowing that it really helped you,” Kelly says. “It’s a selfless act that takes a lot of courage to step up and do.”

“The tissue transplant has allowed me the opportunity to heal psychologically and emotionally. I am able to feel whole as a woman and heal through this journey. The confidence due to my reconstructed breasts will ensure that I am able to watch my daughter grow up and make a lifetime of memories with her and my husband.”

Now, Kelly jumps at the opportunity to live her life to the fullest. Just this year, she and her close friends made a point to go on vacation together. “While I was working and being a mom to a young child, I had put a lot of things on the backburner. Even simple things like going to a concert or going out and doing different things that I used to do all the time. Now I jump to say yes to things I want to do instead of making excuses for why I can’t.”

Regina Harris (Skin Graft Recipient)

The Gift of Donation Turns Personal

Regina Harris had spent her career working as a nurse and helping to set up healthcare facilities at US Military installations around the globe.  Among her many roles, an area of great pride was training staff on the importance of organ and tissue donation, and offering families whose loved ones would not survive about their options for donation.

Little did she envision that she would be on the receiving end of those difficult conversations, as a recipient of donated skin.

As retirement loomed on the horizon, Regina and her husband made the choice to settle in Arizona on the outskirts of Phoenix. 

Just as they were settling into their new life in the desert, Regina went in for a routine mammogram, and was asked to return for an MRI due to some suspicious looking tissue in her breast.  As a healthcare provider, she asked to look at her own films, and was horrified at what she saw.  The suspicious shadows   looked like a large piece of gauze were thinly folded inside the layers of breast tissue.  Biopsy results were positive.  Less than a month later, she underwent a double mastectomy.   

Regina feels very fortunate to have the option of having her post mastectomy breast reconstruction at the same time as the mastectomy.  Donated skin helped her heal, and be able to resume her work within 8 weeks of her surgery.

“I’m proud of the role I played in organ and tissue donation during my career, and I am so grateful for the tissue donation” said Regina, “I really look forward to the opportunity to give back by sharing my story, hopefully inspiring others to appreciate the value of donation”.

Debbie Torrey (Skin Graft Recipient)

A Survivor

A positive outlook on life and work in health care has prepared Debbie for many setbacks she has experienced. As a second time survivor of breast cancer, she did not hesitate to move forward when told about options for breast reconstruction using donated dermal tissue following her mastectomy.

Pleased with her outcome following surgery, Debbie is grateful for the gift that has allowed her to feel secure, special and alive again. She is a survivor. Debbie continues her journey by journaling about her experiences, gardening, and spending quality time with her grandchildren.

“You and your family member will remain in my thoughts with appreciation, generosity, and kindness,” wrote Debbie in a note to her donor family.

Laurie DeClara (Skin Graft Recipient)

I Will Survive

Laurie was only forty when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Her journey mirrored her mother’s, having also been diagnosed at a young age. After learning that Laurie’s mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a 2nd time, Laurie’s friends urged her to schedule a follow-up mammogram. Although it had been 10 years since she had first been diagnosed with and treated for cancer, as soon as Laurie saw her radiographic image, she knew the news would not be good. This time, the type of cancer was different. It was more invasive and would require a mastectomy. Fearing the recurrence of a 3rd round of cancer in the other breast, a 50% risk according to her oncologist, Laurie opted for a bilateral mastectomy. “As a wife and mother of four active boys, I need to be here for my family. I needed to survive,” she said.

Deciding to undergo the mastectomy was the easy part for Laurie. She was not, however, prepared for the emotions that would follow. Laurie’s considering a bilateral mastectomy raised questions like: “What will I look like? Will I still feel feminine? Would a mastectomy be noticeable in clothing?” These were some of the many questions that flooded Laurie’s mind. Her plastic surgeon immediately put Laurie at ease with the reassurance that after a single surgery, she will not only have the cancer removed but will also have new breasts in place that will give her the confidence to feel as feminine as she always has. A couple of weeks after her surgery, Laurie was self-assured once again. She was pleased with both her outcome and her decision.

Laurie was pleased to learn that donated skin grafts used with her breast reconstruction surgery. As a healthcare professional, Laurie was elated to find that donated tissue could be used to help so many people in so many ways. She later discovered that her donor was a woman - possibly a mother, daughter, aunt, or sister. She was so moved by the generosity of her donor’s gift, that she was compelled to express her gratitude to her donor’s family. “Thank you for giving me such an amazing gift. You have given me back to my family. You have made it possible for me to live out my life. I want to honor your loved one’s memory with strength and grace.”

Tracey Warren-Hein (Skin Graft Recipient)

Donated Tissue Helps Mother Continue Fight

At 43 years young, Tracey Warren-Hein was a busy, active mother of 2 young boys. Her days were filled with her family, and enjoying an active outdoor life, which included pleasure and competitive horseback riding. Always conscience of her health, Tracey had a routine mammogram in May of 2017, and the results were negative for any kind of growth or lump, however in August she felt something. And she knew it just wasn’t right.

Tracey had Stage 3 Triple negative breast cancer. By September she underwent a mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Tracey did her best to keep all their family routines the same, focusing on her life, rather than her illness. In June, 2018 after chemotherapy and radiation were finished, she underwent breast reconstruction surgery. It wasn’t until after the surgery that she learned that her surgeon used donor skin with her procedure.

“I had no idea skin was even something people could donate” she said.

Full of gratitude, Tracey wrote to her donor family, and included these words “The donated tissue has allowed me to heal enough to continue my cancer battle,” she wrote “I have two beautiful smart sons who mean the world to me.  I am determined to beat cancer.  Your family member will remain in my thoughts for their kindness and generosity”

Breast Cancer Survivor & Recipient of Skin Grafts

Living My Best Life!

Adrienne Brown is a wife, proud mother of a son and daughter, and a seasoned IT professional. In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, has always been a runner, and has recently picked up biking. Because cancer runs in her family on both her mother’s and father’s sides, she has regularly received mammograms since her mid-thirties. On Tax Day in 2019, however, she received shocking news. Despite her diligence, her breast cancer had gone undiagnosed.

During a routine visit, her OB/GYN did an examination by hand. “I just don’t like what I feel,” the doctor said. Following a mammogram, an MRI, and a biopsy, Adrienne found out she had three tumors. Fortunately, her husband was there when she received the devastating diagnosis. “It’s kind of a shock to the system. You think you can prepare for this type of thing, but you can’t—especially when it hits so close to home,” Adrienne reflects. “We now had to tell the kids,” she continued.

Being a native New Yorker, Adrienne refused to simply give up the fight. She first underwent six rounds of chemotherapy to attack the largest tumor. The next step in the procedure was a mastectomy. After speaking with someone who had been through the experience, she selected the option to have both the mastectomy and breast reconstruction in a single procedure. The surgery using donated skin grafts ended successfully.

“I would like to express my gratitude to my donor’s family. The best way to do that is to live my best life,” Adrienne proudly proclaimed. “Breast cancer warriors need to know they can still look great after a mastectomy! I didn’t know that,” commented Adrienne.  “Now, I’m interested in becoming a donor too,” she concluded.

Breast cancer survivor and recipient of skin grafts

The Gift That Saved My Life

Sandy has been married to her high school sweetheart since 2001. A mother of two, Sandy was the first person in her family to diagnosed with cancer. While on vacation with her family, she felt a tug in her right breast during a morning run. Immediately, she knew something wasn’t right, but was not able to get an appointment for several months.

When she was finally able to see someone, both her primary physician and her OB/GYN decided it would be in her best interest to get a mammogram and exploratory ultrasound. The ultrasound led to a biopsy, and the biopsy revealed that Sandy had Stage II invasive ductal carcinoma. She knew that she wanted a double mastectomy. “I couldn’t live with knowing that I was going to do one side and the other side is like a loaded, ticking time bomb. I just couldn’t.” Following her bilateral mastectomy, Sandy underwent chemo and radiation, treatments that would ensure that she was technically cancer free.

Sandy remembers the day she learned that donor tissue helped give her the life she has today. “My husband who thinks he knows me better than I know myself, kept the information until he thought I was ready. He gave me my documents about my skin grafts, and I learned that it came from somebody who lost their life. I was given this gift, and I’m absolutely overwhelmed in both sadness for the family who lost a loved one, and in gratitude that I was given a second chance.” Today Sandy is learning to enjoy life at a slower pace and taking time to reflect - something her journey has taught her. She later wrote to her donors’ families to thank them for their gifts. “If you were ever on the fence about being a donor, I hope my story proves how important it is. It can truly change someone and save their life.”

Kristina Cardosa (Breast reconstruction with skin grafts)

Not Taking Any Chances!

Although Kristina has never had breast cancer herself, those two words have greatly affected her life. It’s the reason that she never had a grandmother to visit and the reason why her mother cried at age 38 after finding a lump in her breast. Kristina remembers spending Easter weekend looking at her mother through a glass wall because she was too immunocompromised from a bone marrow transplant to be with her family. Thankfully, her mother beat the disease and has been cancer-free for 30 years.

When genetic testing became available, Kristina and her sisters knew that they needed to get tested. She was guilt-ridden when the only test that came back negative was hers. One by one, her sisters went through double mastectomies and breast reconstructions. Despite being negative for the gene, Kristina felt uneasy. After she had her fourth child, Kristina decided to listen to her gut. She was not going to take any chances with the disease that had caused so much turmoil in her life. She wanted a double mastectomy.

Kristina had her mastectomy in May of 2017. She was relieved that she was cutting down her chances of getting breast cancer by almost one hundred percent. Kristina allowed MTF to video her procedure. It was at that time that she learned that donor tissue would be used with her procedure. “I feel so honored that they wanted to film my procedure. I hope the video and my story will allow donor families to witness how the gift of tissue donation is used to help women who are faced with making a decision to have a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. There are really no words for the generosity of my donor’s family. Thank you for such an amazing gift."

Brianna Sawyer (Breast reconstruction with donated skin grafts)

Breast reconstruction with donated skin grafts

Brianna Sawyer, her husband, and two young boys had just purchased a large piece of land in Idaho and were enjoying an active, busy outdoor lifestyle. When the pandemic hit, the young family felt fortunate to be able to thrive on outdoor activities. Brianna made another lifestyle change and lost 90 lbs when she felt a lump in her breast.

At only 31, it was hard to believe that the diagnosis was indeed breast cancer. Brianna’s young boys were told that ‘Mommy had a sickness,’ and they jumped in to help with her care. They helped cut her pigtails and even chose her wig. After undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy, the next step was a double mastectomy. Brianna’s surgeon elected to use donated skin grafts with her breast reconstruction surgery. 

Only five days after her mastectomy, Brianna was hunting Easter eggs with her boys, and her recovery included camping, boating, riding dirtbikes, and jumping on the trampoline with her kids, and once again enjoying an active lifestyle.

Brianna wrote to her donor family to express her gratitude, “I will get more years of adventures with my family. Thanks to the selflessness of your loved one. One can never fully repay for a second chance at life, but I am going to give it my absolute best shot!”

Brianna is cancer-free, and although she will have to continue diligent scans and follow up, she is confident, joyful, and full of hope for the future.

Jennifer McGinnis (Breast Reconstruction with skin grafts)

Taking The Leap

Jennifer McGinnis is an industrial-organizational psychologist who loves physical activity, getting together with friends, and spending time with her family and rescue dog. However, she was very concerned about her cancer risk. After battling breast cancer for ten years, her aunt passed away, followed by two friends who lost their lives from breast and ovarian cancer. Jennifer consulted her gynecologist, who recommended genetic testing to see if she was at high risk of developing breast cancer.

After Jennifer tested positive for the BRCA1 gene, she had a tough decision to make. “I’m data-minded and believe in science, but choosing to have a life-altering surgery is difficult. It’s like jumping out of an airplane. Getting yourself over that hump to make a decision is the hardest thing.” Three years later, Jennifer took the leap and had a risk-reducing double mastectomy and oophorectomy to reduce her cancer risk.

Jennifer opted for breast reconstruction with implants. Although Jennifer knew that tissue would be used to create the pocket for her breast implants, she didn’t realize they were made from donated skin grafts —until she received information in the mail. Now, she volunteers with an organization that educates individuals about genetic testing and high-risk cancer. She loves empowering others to make informed decisions as they embark on difficult new journeys.

Jennifer is incredibly grateful to her donor family and wrote to them, expressing her gratitude for their gift, which has helped her feel whole again. “They offered a gift that, as a 40-year-old woman, enhanced my life and allowed me to have the longest, healthiest, most fulfilling life possible. And I don’t take that for granted,” she reminisced.

Susan Quiroga (Breast reconstruction with skin grafts)

Finding Her Voice

For Sue, the topic of tissue donation was a labor of love. She spent most of her adult life advocating for tissue, organ and blood donation. One of the greatest benefits of her work was hearing the many heartfelt stories of hope and healing made possible through transplantation. She never imagined that one day, she too would have a personal story of her own to tell.

Six years ago, Sue’s life was turned upside down. She was juggling life as a busy mother of four, working full time, and caring for her elderly mother. Just when life seemed busiest, she heard those chilling words: “You have breast cancer.” Sue’s world came to a screeching halt. She recalls thinking, “I need to protect my kids and not have them worry about me. I want my husband to know that everything is going to be okay, and I needed to shield my mom from what I was going through.” In reality, Sue was even unsure how all of this would end.

Following her surgical consultation, a bilateral mastectomy was her only option. When she heard her physician ask, “What size would you like to be?” Sue realized she did have choices and sensed that everything would be okay. Sue’s plastic surgeon told her that donated dermal tissue would be used for her reconstruction surgery. “I was overcome by gratitude and humbled when I realized I was going to be a tissue recipient,” exclaimed Sue.

Two months after her breast reconstruction surgery, Sue was asked to speak about her experience. “I didn’t hesitate, even though I had never done public speaking before,” Sue said. “I was so humbled by the generosity passed on to me by my donor families, I was willing to go out of my comfort zone and make the gifts count even more. My donors’ gifts gave me strength.” Sue had found her own voice and now has her own story. Through the precious gift of life, Sue has reclaimed precious time with her family and is on a personal mission to educate others about donation and transplantation.

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

A Sisterly Bond

Growing up, Karen Hezlep shared everything with her two younger sisters.  From dolls to clothes to secrets, it seemed that the trio would always be inseparable. “They’ve always been my best friends,” the wife and mom-of-two recalled. However, after the diagnosis of her youngest sister and the sudden death of her middle sister, Karen soon learned that the siblings shared something much more dire – breast cancer.

The death of her sister caused major ripples in Karen’s and her family’s life. “It came as a shock to all of us,” she explained.  “She was fine one day and gone the next.  It wasn’t until after her death that we learned she was also diagnosed with breast cancer.”  Concerned for her health, doctors quickly placed Karen in a high-risk breast cancer program. After the first MRI screening, Karen learned she had cancer in both breasts. “There was a weird feeling of inevitability,” she shared.  While the cancer required a mastectomy on one side and only a lumpectomy on the other, Karen requested a bilateral mastectomy, a decision that saved her life when the other side proved fatal as well. She was then given reconstructive surgery using donated human skin grafts. The donation reminded Karen of her sister, who was a nurse and donated her corneas to help give others the gift of sight.

Today, Karen is cancer free and grateful to have more time with family and friends. When looking at her new body, she remembers her sister and the immeasurable gift her donor has given her. As a donor herself, Karen was eager to let her donor family know what their sacrifice meant to her.  “Thank you for giving me the chance to have my life back and to feel normal again,” Karen wrote. “I can’t put a price on it, and I’ll never be able to explain how grateful I am for that gift.”

Breast reconstruction, donated human skin grafts

The Power of Prevention

Long before her close encounter, Simone Henderson knew a thing or two about cancer. As a proud business owner, Simone has been helping female cancer survivors regain their confidence through wigs and hair styling for almost twenty years. Through her client’s stories, she learned about the importance of breast cancer prevention in black women, who are more likely to die from breast cancer at any age than in other demographics. The reality of cancer grew more apparent when Simone’s sister was diagnosed in 2019, sending her on a long journey that ended in her death only a week after stopping treatment. Concerned about her own health, Simone scheduled a mammogram and later learned she was positive for the BRCA gene mutation. With a 70% chance of breast cancer and a 40% chance of ovarian cancer, she knew it was time to take preventative action.
 
“It was all happening very fast,” Simone said. Things moved even faster when she found out she was pregnant with her second child, a baby boy born with a cleft palate. After her son’s birth, Simone consulted with her surgeons. “She underwent three devastating surgeries that strip you of your womanhood—a bilateral mastectomy, oophorectomy, and hysterectomy,” plastic surgeon, Dr. Samita Goyal, shared. “For me, the procedures were a no-brainer,” Simone recalled. Following the mastectomy, she decided to undergo reconstructive surgery using donor skin grafts.
 
While statistics show that black women are less likely to take breast cancer screenings or cancer prevention measures, Simone advises all women to act. “There are so many women whose hair I’ve cut, whose hands I’ve had to hold as they went through cancer,” she explained. “Taking preventative measures reminded me that I did have an option, and I want others to know that too.”
 
Today, Simone is feeling more confident than ever. A registered donor herself, she is grateful for her new body and for the gift of empowerment her donor has given her. The energetic social media influencer continues to use her platform to share her story and spread awareness. “I want to inspire everyone to be proactive, to take care of themselves,” Simone shared. “I’m excited that I did have a choice! I’m so thankful.”

Bobbie White (Skin Graft Recipient)

Having Faith to Reconstruct Life After Loss

Bobbie was embracing her graduate studies in psychology when she learned that she had breast cancer. “I didn’t sign up for this but here I am, among the group of millions of women plagued by this disease,” she remembers.  She was single and spent a lifetime working and caring for children with special needs, especially those with diabetes like herself, helping them to cope with their condition.  Her faith and training had taught her how to deal with these tough situations and Bobbie was ready to give this her best fight.  

Three months after her diagnosis, Bobbie had a lumpectomy which was followed by double mastectomy after the cancer began spreading to her lymph nodes. In a single surgery, the cancer was removed and both breasts were reconstructed.  Her recovery was swift and Bobbi was soon enjoying days of fun in the snow with reconstruction results that were better than she expected.  

Following her surgery, Bobbie learned that donated skin was used with her breast reconstruction. “Someone died to help me heal again. What a gift!” remarked Bobbie as she was overcome by gratitude by the kindness of the donor family who made this possible.  Bobbie later learned that even with a diagnosis of cancer and diabetes, you can donate corneas to give sight to others. Today, she honors her donor family by becoming a registered donor and lives each day in gratitude for the gift that has been given to her.

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

Stronger Than Ever

Bobbi Robertson is a powerhouse by nature. As a proud wife, stepmother, and psychiatric nurse, she loves making an impact on the lives of those around her. Her passion for mental health inspires her to help bring patients out of their darkest times. “It’s really rewarding watching a patient that was once depressed improve over time and leave hopeful, with a better outlook on life,” Bobbi shares. Little did she know that these experiences would help her push through one of her toughest battles—cancer.

In January of 2020, Bobbi found a concerning lump in her breast. Her mother had breast cancer, so she knew she needed to get checked out as soon as she could. When she received her cancer diagnosis, Bobbi launched into action. Genetic testing revealed that she was BRCA positive, so she made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy and oophorectomy once she completed several rounds of chemotherapy. “I feel like the experience has made me stronger. The treatment, the hair loss, and all the people that helped me along the way. I knew I was in good hands, and I was going to be okay.”

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

Grateful for the Opportunity

For Jackie Skapinakis, life is all about family and the outdoors. Jackie, her husband, and her two sons spend their free time together boating and paddle boarding when she's not working as a compliance professional. She also enjoys spending time in the garden, trying out new crafts, and snowmobiling with her husband of 29 years. These enjoyments would be threatened when Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"I have a history of breast cancer in my family," Jackie explains. In addition to losing two grandmothers and two aunts to cancer, Jackie's mother died of pancreatic cancer. Before her mother died, she emphasized the importance of never missing a cancer screening. One busy afternoon, right before her six-month checkup, Jackie felt tempted to skip her appointment. "Things were crazy with work, and I really wasn't feeling up to it," she shared. "But my mom popped up in my head, and I remember what she said to me, so I went." Shockingly, the screening revealed that Jackie had stage I lobular cancer, an aggressive type of breast cancer. Since the cancer was caught early, doctors advised Jackie to explore other options, but she wasn't taking any chances. Jackie decided to have both of her breasts removed, followed by breast reconstructive surgery using donated tissue.

Though a registered donor, Jackie had no idea that she was a recipient of donated tissue until she received information following her surgery on how she could write to her donor's family. Grateful for the gift of a second chance and a speedy recovery, Jackie wrote a letter to thank her donor's family for their sacrifice and later heard back from them. "I think donation is much more meaningful when you truly understand that there's someone behind it," Jackie exclaimed. "I am so grateful. That's the only word that can describe it. I'm very, very grateful that I had this opportunity."

Breast reconstruction with skin grafts

The Road to Reconstruction

For Dr. Angela Rodi, the road to breast reconstruction has been a long one. The wife and OB-GYN first encountered the topic during her teenage years, when her mother tested positive for the BRCA gene mutation. Her mother knew that a positive test meant that there is a 70% likelihood of developing breast cancer and decided have a double mastectomy and oophorectomy. 

Though her mother had advised her to get tested, young Angela wouldn’t fully understand the need to get tested for several years. “I was in medical school when I really started to meet breast and ovarian cancer patients and see firsthand the importance of getting tested,” Angela shared. “I figured I would test and get it out of the way.” Surprisingly, the results revealed that she was positive for the BRCA gene only months before her wedding and the start of her OB-GYN residency. 

Focused on her career and home life, years went by before Angela finally decided to have a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction after finding a lump in her breast. Though she was nervous about her surgery, Angela remembered the story of a diagnosed friend and the success of her mother’s surgeries and knew it was the best decision. “My friend and patients never had a chance to prevent their cancer, but I did.” she explained. “It felt empowering to take charge of my health and womanhood.” 

Before her surgery, her surgeon informed Angela that donated skin grafts would be used to aid a fast recovery and satisfying results. “I was shocked at how comfortable and happy I was,” Angela recalled. “I’m glad I made that decision.”

Today, Angela feels forever indebted to her donor family for their generosity and sacrifice. Thanks to the gift from her donor, she continues to do the things she loves, like biking, hiking, and spending time outdoors with her husband and blue heeler, Zep.  As a physician, registered donor, and genetic counseling advocate, Angela encourages everyone to get tested and consider becoming donors. “I am beyond humbled to have received such a generous gift,” Angela wrote to her donor family. “Know that I will keep you and your loved one in my heart, and that your family member lives on.”

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

From Surviving to Thriving

Robin Lewis was enjoying life as a successful executive when she received shocking news. Her aunt called, saying she found a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer. This alarmed Robin because cancer runs in their family. Her mother had breast cancer, and her grandmother also died at an early age from the disease.

“Robin, I never miss a mammogram. I just happened to have been doing a self-exam and felt it,” her Aunt Terri said. The wheels of concern began churning in Robin’s head. Later that evening, Robin did a self-exam. To her surprise, Robin also felt a lump. She immediately made an appointment with her physician who referred her for imaging.  While Robin was dressing after her mammogram, the nurse said: “Don’t get dressed. The doctor wants to examine you right now.” After scoping both breasts, the doctor revealed he was 99% sure there was cancer on both sides. 

Although a biopsy later confirmed cancer, the surgeon said these reassuring words, “Yes, you have cancer, but you don’t need to get your affairs in order!” Robin breathed a sigh of relief. Her thoughts immediately shifted from surviving to thriving.

Because of Robin’s past experience working in donation and transplantation, she has a special appreciation of the impact donated tissue makes in the lives of recipients, and is especially grateful to receive the gift of life. “I feel younger and more vibrant, so I’d tell my donor thank you for making my life better,” she reminisced. “Because I caught it early, I was able to avoid chemo,” she exclaimed. 

"I’m grateful to my donor families for their generous gift of skin that helped me heal after a bilateral mastectomy. It allowed me to get back to a sense of normalcy and enjoy special moments with my family."

Today, Robin enjoys a life doing what she loves best—spending time with her husband, son and daughter, grandkids, and her European Golden Retriever.

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

Breast cancer survivor

Dawn Romano is a clinical social worker who works in organ and tissue donation as a Family Services Coordinator for Midwest Transplant Network. In April of 2008, Dawn’s life changed when she was diagnosed with an early stage of breast cancer. After undergoing a lumpectomy and 33 rounds of radiation, Dawn believed she was cancer-free and continued on with her life.

Things changed in the summer of 2015 when Dawn felt a lump on her breast. Later, while getting a mammogram and biopsies, doctors confirmed that they had found two tumors. The cancer had returned, this time more aggressive. “Tears streamed from my eyes,” she recalled, “Reality had slapped me in the face.”

Through four grueling months of chemotherapy treatment, hair loss, and discouragement, Dawn found strength from her faith, friends, and family to continue working in organ and tissue donation. After undergoing a double mastectomy, Dawn and her surgeon discussed the possibility of breast reconstruction. “Thankfully, from my work at Midwest Transplant Network, I knew enough to ask my surgeon whether they would use any human tissue during my surgery. He told me yes,” she shared.

Thanks to the gift of skin from two donor heroes, Dawn finally began to heal. Her experience has also helped her develop a deeper appreciation of her work, especially donor families. “We often hear that tissue donation is life-enhancing, but for many of us, it has saved our lives in many ways,” Dawn shared. “This gift has made a huge impact on my life. To all donor families, please accept my deepest and most sincere thank you. You and your loved ones have made a difference in so many people’s lives. And for that, they will always be remembered by people like me.”

Breast reconstruction, recipient of skin grafts

Keeping family close to the heart

Delfina Arroyo says she has a prominent family history of cancer, having lost her aunt and brother. Uterine, ovarian, breast, lung, kidney cancers—you name it. Yet she felt surprised when doctors told her she was also prone to breast cancer because of a gene mutation.

This concerned mother of two and a tissue recovery technician with Donor Network of Arizona, was prompted to make a decision – either take her chances or proceed with a double mastectomy.

"I was just like, if I can take care of this with one surgery versus have my kids later on deal with the pain I've dealt with, then I'd rather just do it," Arroyo says.

Arroyo resumed a healthy, fulfilling life after a tissue donor allowed doctors to perform reconstructive surgery following her mastectomy. For her, the most important part of all was hugging her children again.

"The look on my daughter's face every day when I would tell her we can't cuddle because of my surgery; it would break my heart every day," she says.

Story Credit: Donor Network of Arizona

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

In March of 2017, Elsa was married just three months after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her whirlwind romance escalated quickly as she and her fiancé wanted her to feel beautiful and complete on her wedding dress while still having both her breasts. That same March, Elsa underwent a mastectomy in Mexico, where she began chemotherapy as well. At the end of 2018, Elsa moved to the U.S. with her husband while she was at the tail end of chemotherapy treatment and where things took a turn for the worse. Elsa became a victim of domestic violence and was unable to travel to Mexico to complete her breast reconstruction journey.

While feeling hopeless and incomplete, Elsa learned about a non-profit organization, Mission Plasticos, that assists women in low-income communities with no-cost breast reconstruction post-mastectomy. Since then, Elsa has completed second stage reconstruction through the MTF Biologics donation of acellular dermal matrix provided through this life-changing program. She is on the road to recovery and her life has changed dramatically on the outside, but most importantly on the inside as well.

"I am infinitely grateful to the donor and donor family that have made my breast reconstruction possible. They have given me a gift so valuable and important to them, which is something so beautiful, especially since they do not even know who I am! My heart is overjoyed, and words are not enough to describe my gratitude towards this family.”

Part of the Legacy

Part of the Legacy

Live On Nebraska employee Emily Niebrugge has always had a special connection to organ and tissue donation. When her father passed away from heart failure, his decision to donate helped over 77 individuals get back to the life and activities they loved – including mastectomy patients. Years later, Emily discovered that she had tested positive for the BRCA gene, with an over 85% risk of breast cancer.

“I remember when my mom went through breast cancer,” Emily shared. “It was really difficult walking her through that and seeing how it affected her. I decided I wasn’t going to let that happen to me.” To prevent the cancer, Emily underwent a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction using donated tissue – a gift that reminded her of her father.

Today, Emily enjoys life cancer-free! Thanks to the gift from her donor, she describes herself as a proud ‘previvor’ for having prevented her cancer and taking charge of her health. As a proud worker in organ and tissue donation, Emily feels a deeper appreciation for donors everywhere, especially her father. “I’m eternally grateful to be a recipient,” she shared. “Now, I know exactly the type of life that my dad was able to give to someone else. I’m so thankful to be a part of this legacy.”

Breast cancer survivor, Recipient of skin grafts

Breast cancer survivor

For over 40 years, Lisa Cummins has worked in organ and tissue donation at Midwest Transplant Network. Her story begins in 2001, when she was first diagnosed with a rare type of cancer found in her uterus. Following a hysterectomy and 5 rounds of chemo, Lisa celebrated being cancer- free, but not for long.

“I had just hit my 5-year mark when they found my first breast cancer,” she recalled. Diagnosed with an early stage of DCIS, or Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, Lisa again underwent intense radiation treatment and another major surgery – this time using donated tissue. For the second time, Lisa believed she was cancer-free before receiving terrible news.

“At my five-year anniversary appointment - the golden mark where cancer patients can consider themselves true survivors – they found my second breast cancer,” she shared. Doctors confirmed that the cancer had returned in the same breast, this time more aggressive. Surgeons presented Lisa with the option of a mastectomy – a decision she would take one step further. “I decided that I did not want to go through it all over again, so I opted to have a double mastectomy,” she explained. Afterwards, Lisa underwent breast reconstruction, becoming a tissue recipient for the second time.

Today, Lisa celebrates being 11-, 16-, and 21-years cancer-free! Thanks to the gift from her donor, she returns to helping others in organ and tissue donation with a deeper appreciation for her life and work. She even uses her story at local hospitals, video conferences, and live events to aid others through their breast cancer journeys and share the positive impact of donation. “There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of my donor families and am thankful for their selfless act of donation.” Lisa smiled. “I do not know who they are, so at every chance I get, I tell donor families ‘THANK YOU!’ Without their gift of life, I wouldn’t have been able to have reconstructive surgery. I can now say I am a survivor!”

Breast cancer survivor, recipient of skin grafts

Family Ties

For cardiac nurse Maria Sabrina Mezyk, family is everything. More than anything, the wife and mom-of-two loves making a pizza, wrapping up in a warm blanket, and snuggling with her husband and kids on family movie night. “Relaxation, rejuvenation, and family time are the most important things to us,” Sabrina smiled. However, when a suspicious mass was found in her breast only months after giving birth, Sabrina feared that her time with family would soon be over.

“We had just stopped nursing my son when I felt a lump on my chest,” she remembered. “It was about the size of a golf ball, and it didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t going away.” Following the advice of a friend, Sabrina went in for a biopsy that revealed several hidden lumps in her left breast. The masses carried stage three of invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer. “I remember sitting in the car after getting the news and hearing my children’s laughter outside,” Sabrina recalled. “I couldn’t imagine a life where I would never hear their laughter again. That’s when I realized I had to be a warrior and fight.” After undergoing tests, treatment, and advising from her oncologist, Sabrina had a double mastectomy and then discussed the possibility of breast reconstruction. Her surgeon informed her that she would be given donated tissue – a gift that would remind her of her family’s connection to transplantation. “My grandma became a heart recipient when I was in high school,” Sabrina explained. “I remember how life-changing it was for all of us, so of course I was ready and up for it!”

Today, Sabrina celebrates being cancer-free! Thanks to the gift from her donor, she and her family continue to make more beach visits, road trips, and family movie nights. As a recipient, a relative to a recipient, and a registered donor, Sabrina is eternally grateful for the gift of life and empowerment that was given to her. “I have so much respect for donors and donor families, seeing what they’ve done for my grandmother who’s still with us and now for me,” she smiled. “She’s fighter, and so am I. Now my kids can receive that legacy.” When asked what she would say to her donor family if she were to meet them, Sabrina stated: “The words ‘thank you’ aren’t enough. Know that you’ve changed my life and the life of your loved one still lives on through me. Whenever I look in the mirror, I’m reminded I’ve been given a form of my life back because of your selfless act.”