Fix-It and Forget-It Pink Cookbook (8 page)

I created the Johns Hopkins ­Navigator program 16 years ago, and I oversee it now, along with serving as a Nurse Navigator, in addition to two other full-time Nurse ­Navigators. We are all three breast cancer survivors and registered nurses. In addition, we have 35 volunteers, all of whom are breast cancer survivors. One is a man. (One percent of breast cancer survivors are male.)

Lillie Shockney (left) with her mother.

We match patients with these volunteers, based on their age, life situation, stage of cancer, and the patient's treatment plan. So the patient has a “mirror partner,” who's gone through the same thing. We call the program “­Survivors Helping Survivors.” These women give reassurance that it's possible to survive and have a vision of hope.

We also work with patients with advanced disease who are going to die. We help them to make plans for what lies ahead—making sure they have an Advance Directive, discussing ways to communicate with their kids about what's likely to happen, helping them to recognize that they are still here and are continuing to instill their values in their kids.

We instruct each partner and patient to go to a local card store and tell the manager, “This woman has Stage Four breast cancer, and we need help to select cards for our children's birthdays through age 21, their first communions, bar mitzvahs, weddings, the days when our children become grandparents.” Then the woman writes what she wants to say to each child on each of those days. She gives it to her ­partner to give to her loved one to open on those special days.

I've gotten incredible feedback from children who've received these cards, most recently from a young woman who got one on her wedding day. She said, “My mother was right there with me that day.”

“We're doing patient care here—we don't see these women just as Stage 2 breast cancer patients.”

YOUR JOURNEY

Each Avon Walk for Breast Cancer weekend is two unforgettable days of passion, power, and pure fun. Here's a glimpse of how it all shapes up—from before you take your first step to the moment you cross the finish line. It's a journey like no other. It's a chance to change millions of lives, starting with your own.

BEFORE THE WALK

Once you register, you'll be assigned your very own Walker Coordinator. This Avon Walk staffer will be your main contact and coach and will help you develop your personal fundraising plan, connect you with local Training Walks, and help you every step of the way leading up to your Avon Walk weekend.

EVENT EVE

Event Eve, the kick-off event for the Avon Walk weekend, takes place on the Friday that launches the Walk weekend at a hotel near the event's Opening ­Ceremony site. This is where you officially check in for the event. You'll receive your Avon Walk wristband, get your tent assignment, turn in any last-minute ­donations, and celebrate the start of the Walk weekend with other walkers.

OPENING CEREMONY

The inspiring Opening Ceremony brings all Avon Walk participants together for the first time early Saturday morning. You'll connect with others, drop off your gear, fill your water bottle, stretch a little—and before you know it you'll be on the road.

WALKING

Each of the Avon Walk routes will take you through a wonderful, scenic tour of its city. You'll walk up to 26.2 miles on Day 1 and 13.1 miles on Day 2. The distance you walk is completely up to you, and you can decide that at any time. If the mileage ever starts to feel too daunting you can stop, knowing you've already made a powerful difference, and an Avon Walk crew member will be there to pick you up.

WELLNESS VILLAGE

At the end of Day 1, you'll reach Wellness Village—your home away from home for the night—where you can relax, enjoy a hot shower, a hearty dinner and maybe even a yoga class or a foot massage. You'll cap off your day with some fun and festivities before settling in to one of the two-person tents we provide. The next morning you'll wake up to a hot breakfast, and then you'll be off on the final leg of your Avon Walk. Those not wishing to camp out may easily leave the event for the evening and return the next morning to rejoin their fellow Walkers.

CLOSING CEREMONY

At the uplifting and touching Closing Ceremony, all Walkers and Crew come together one last time to celebrate their accomplishment. One of the great pleasures is watching the money you raised be awarded on Sunday to local breast cancer organizations.

THE END IS JUST THE BEGINNING

While crossing the finish line marks the end of your Avon Walk journey, it's just the beginning of the impact you'll have. Because of you, breast cancer patients will get the care they need, regardless of their ability to pay. And leading scientists and researchers will receive support in their ongoing quest for a cure.

You are
IN IT TO END IT!

Gerie Voss: Survivor, and Avon Walker

Gerie Voss is an attorney and a 10-year survivor.

Makes 1 loaf of 18 slices

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes • Baking Time: 60-65 minutes

2 cups flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. baking soda

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (2 to 3 medium bananas)

½ cup shortening

2 eggs

1 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

½ cup chopped nuts of your choice

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Grease bottom only of a 9” x 5” loaf pan.
   
2. Combine all ingredients except chocolate chips and nuts in large electric mixer bowl. Mix until well blended.
   
3. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
   
4. Pour batter into loaf pan.
   
5. Bake 60-65 minutes, or until tester inserted into center of loaf comes out clean.
   
6. Cool 10 minutes.
   
7. Remove from pan and allow to cool to room temperature on cooling rack.
   

“I'm a baker. I love this bread!”

SURVIVOR, AND AVON WALKER

I was diagnosed a little over 10 years ago when I was 26. I had just gotten engaged to my now-husband. I was told that I had cancer in the right breast and severe atypical cells in the left breast.

Chris was my greatest support, but unfortunately, he was away when I got my diagnosis, and I had no family nearby. So to let my mind clear, I went to see “Legally Blonde” by myself, and it was great to be with people and to laugh. Chris was wonderful by phone with me that day, saying that we'll do whatever we need to do, we'll go see however many doctors we need to see. And he continued to stand by me.

Those days were very much a whirlwind. I was so worried about how I would look in my beautiful, strapless wedding dress.

Asking my sister to take over the search for bridesmaids' dresses was a very emotional conversation because I was admitting that I wouldn't be able to do everything for my wedding that I wanted to do. We were both crying. She said she'd do whatever I needed.

My father had a bit of denial about my diagnosis. I was telling him one day about doctors I was going to go see. And he said, “Why? You haven't been
diagnosed with breast cancer.” My mother had passed away years earlier, and he was my one parent to help me face this. But at first he was almost incapable of dealing with it himself.

I was most worried about how I would look to my husband. I was online all the time, learning about treatments that were available. My bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction happened between my diagnosis and my wedding.

Of course, no one wishes this on anyone. But the experience has changed me in such positive ways. I had the wonderfully good fortune of speaking at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies at my first Avon Walk 5 years ago. I introduced Reese Witherspoon there—and I can't tell you what that meant. She had been with me on the darkest day of my life, when I had sat in a theater watching her in “Legally Blonde.” I hugged her, and she asked me how I was. I was immensely gratified to be able to tell her how she helped me.