Balwanz Carlos Johnson Peters
Patti Balwanz
Patti Balwanz was working as an information technology (IT) consultant when she found her lump. With a family history of breast cancer, she knew the importance of performing monthly breast self-exams (BSE).
Diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of twenty-four, Patti subsequently had a mastectomy with immediate reconstruction and chemotherapy. Two years after her original diagnosis, Patti was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer to her bones, lungs, and liver.
During her recurrence, Patti became an advocate for the breast cancer cause, serving as a board officer of the Ribbons of Pink Foundation. Patti openly shared her experience with others, even allowing camera crews to film her while receiving chemotherapy treatments. In August 2001, Patti was honored with the foundation's first "You Are an Inspiration" recognition. Patti attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University), where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work and became active in the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.
On Saturday, March 29, 2003, at age 29, Patti died at home among friends and family after a four-year battle against breast cancer and a courageous life lived with it.
Jana Peters
Jana Peters was a registered nurse who learned about the importance of performing monthly breast self-exams (BSE) during college, where she attended the University of Kansas and was active in the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She later transferred to Washburn University, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.
Jana's breast cancer diagnosis came shortly after she became engaged to be married. At twenty-seven years old, while in the midst of planning her wedding, she underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Her cancer spread to her bones eighteen months later, and she has undergone continuous treatments for her cancer progression since that time.
In October 1999, Jana founded the Ribbons of Pink Foundation, a nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting breast health and supporting young breast cancer survivors. She also volunteered for a variety of other breast cancer organizations and events and was selected as one of twenty-five national Yoplait "Champions in the Fight Against Breast Cancer" honorees for 2006.
Jana enjoyed her professional career in the clinical research industry, where she worked for a large biopharmaceutical company in South San Francisco. After a courageous eight-year fight against breast cancer, Jana died on Saturday, December 9, 2006, at age 35.
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Johnson is a marketing professional who learned the importance of performing breast self-exams (BSE) while volunteering for the Susan G. Komen Foundation through her college sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.
Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 at the age of twenty-seven while five months pregnant with her first child. She subsequently underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy during the pregnancy. The day following her last chemotherapy treatment, she delivered a healthy baby boy. Proving that life does go on after a breast cancer diagnosis, she and her husband, Matt, welcomed a daughter in April 2003. Jennifer continues to celebrate life cancer-free.
She is active in P.E.O. (a women's philanthropic educational organization) and the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. She also volunteers for several breast cancer organizations, including the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Ribbons of Pink Foundation, the Young Survival Coalition, and the Pregnant with Cancer Network.
Jennifer graduated from Baker University with Bachelor of Science degrees in business marketing and fashion merchandising. Jennifer is a motivational speaker and works for a large telecommunications company in Kansas City. She lives in Overland Park, Kansas, with her husband, Matt, and their two children, Parker and Emma.
Kim Carlos
Kim Carlos is a public affairs and strategic communications consultant who learned about the importance of breast self-exams (BSE) through her good friend and co-author, Patti.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2002 at the age of thirty while in the midst of planning her son's second birthday party. After undergoing eight rounds of chemotherapy, a mastectomy with breast reconstruction, several other surgeries, and treatment for lymphedema, Kim is cancer-free.
Kim is a nationally recognized patient advocate and serves on the Komen National Public Policy Council. She is also past president of the board for the Greater Kansas City Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and helped bring a branch of the Young Survival Coalition to Kansas City. Kim serves on the Missouri Cancer Consortium Committee, is a member of the American Cancer Society State Advocacy Committee, and is Missouri co-chair for the National Patient Advocate Foundation. She has been honored for her advocacy efforts by Self magazine and Lifetime Television and is a member of the National Cancer Survivor Day Speaker's Bureau.
After Kim's breast cancer diagnosis, she decided to focus on her passion full-time and left the practice of law to start her own business, where she focuses on grassroots advocacy, governmental relations, public relations, and motivational speaking. Kim graduated with honors from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and received her Juris Doctorate with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. She resides in Kansas City, Missouri, with her husband, Scott, and their son, Brandon.
For more information, visit the authors at www.nordiesatnoon.com
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