Sheri Waynick, Co-Founder aka " Wings "  swaynick@comcast.net   Diagnosed at the age of 37 was such a shock for me. No history of breast cancer in my family……too young for mammograms……healthy and active – of course this diagnosis knocked the wind out of my sails. I decided to fight hard and not let this disease get the best of me. My treatments – 4 rounds of adriomycin/cytoxin, 4 rounds of Taxol, 52 rounds of herceptin, and 30 radiation treatments. Yes – a year rollercoaster, but at the same time a wonderful blessing. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people in the world and feel such a strong friendship with so many! At the time of my diagnosis, I owned my own business. After realizing that God had given me my life, I knew I needed to do something else serving others…….I was led to the local American Cancer Society office where I became the senior manager supervising 11 counties. The volunteers………WOW……….what can I say – a special group of people who taught me so much about giving and serving man kind.    Now, back in business while continuing to volunteer for ACS, Cathy and I decided to start a new non-profit focused on education and not fund-raising. We launched BRA – empowering young women to take control of their bodies and realize the importance of early breast cancer detection. The reason for riding a motorcycle?   We wanted the survivors to do something outside of their comfort zone and face this fear head on – as they did with breast cancer. There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing something that you feared so much and realize that you can do anything you put your mind to! We are not only empowering these teenage girls, but also ourselves!  I have two daughters- Jessica (22) & Jackie (17) - my girls were 10 & 15 at the time of my diagnosis.  I am married to a very supportive husband named Bob, and we will celebrate our 25th anniversary in March of 2008. Thank you BRA sisters for all the laughter and tears! I will forever be indebted because of your friendships!   I look forward to meeting all the new BRA sisters who will be joining us in the years to come! Email Sheri at:  swaynick@comcast.net

Cathy Gailey, Co-Founder aka " Pinky " cgailey@remax.net Diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer at 33 with two young children. That was 10 years ago this year. Back then 33 was unheard of to get Breast Cancer. Today 33 is no longer unheard of. I found a pea sized lump while performing a self breast exam. Many young breast cancer survivors find their cancer by breast exams since a mammogram is  not recommended until the age of 40. There was never a moment where the Dr. calls the patient into the office and tells her she has cancer. The only indication was the radiologist when he put my young son on the table and used the ultra sound to find his heartbeat. He stared me in the eyes and said “this is life-focus on this-this is life”. I knew at that moment I had Breast Cancer and the radiologist was sending me a message. Focus on my children!  I had a mastectomy followed with reconstruction surgery. After the surgery they discovered the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I would be required to have chemotherapy. I had a bad reaction to the chemo and had to be hospitalized for every treatment. I don't like to share my experience with chemo. It’s like giving birth, everyone likes to share their horror stories with someone who is pregnant. I would rather focus on the positive! I am married to a wonderful man named Al and will celebrate our 25th Anniversary this December. I have two children, Brittany 20 -and Kenny 16 who were 6 and 2 at the time I had my cancer. Email Cathy at:  cgailey@remax.net

Sadrena Mattox aka " Rebel " snmattox@aol.com My first diagnosis was at age 31 with Stage 2 breast cancer; 2nd diagnosis at age 34 with Stage 3. I had 6 sessions of FEC chemotherapy treatment the first time. 4 sessions AC chemotherapy treatment, 38 sessions of radiation therapy and 12 sessions of more chemotherapy the second time. Currently on Arimidex until 2011.  I found my tumors both times by self examinations.   It seems like each generation in my family has battled some form of cancer. I had been married to my husband Mitch 5 years and Makenzie our oldest daughter was 2 years old. I knew I had so much to live for and not surviving was not an option.  I remember my surgeon, Dr. Bergen telling me the pathology report came back positive for cancer.  It was on a Thursday. Four days later, I was in surgery for a mastectomy.  I figured, this could be a great way for me to get a new set of ta-tas :) Three weeks after my surgery, I would begin my treatment. It was tough and I was so sick.  I tried to prepare myself by reading up on side affects but, I had no idea what I was up against.  I dealt pretty well with all of the side affects but, when I hair began to fall out, I was concerned about Makenzie.  One day I decided to let her see me bald.  At first, she looked at me like she recognized the voice but, the person calling her name looked different.  Then out of now where she said "Mommy, you got a big head".  I was laughing so hard I was out of breath.  That was the moment I knew, I could and would beat this.   I had 6 treatments, 1 every 3 weeks, I was given a clean bill of health and on my way to recovery.  I began to play catch up since I had to take a medical leave from school for treatments. The first order of business was to get a tattoo.  I decided to get a butterfly on my lower back.  To me, it represented my "Re-Birth". I was once that caterpillar and now I have wings and could fly. Yes, it hurt but, it was worth it.  In March of 2006, I noticed a lump on my chest under my collarbone.  Breast cancer did not cross my mind but, it had returned. Oh well I beat it once, I could do it again.  However, this time I was 3 months pregnant with my second daughter.  I had to undergo 4 treatments of chemotherapy, while pregnant.  I will never forget my first chemotherapy treatment while being pregnant.  My nurse, Ashley, looked at me and said "Lets say a prayer before we begin". God was with me during my sessions as he has always been with me through out every moment in my life. My OB/GYN Dr. Haynes and Oncologist Dr. Spinolo wanted me to deliver 4 weeks early so I could begin my radiation treatments and then more chemotherapy treatments.   I delivered our second daughter, Sydney, at 36 weeks and she was a healthy 4lb 4oz bundle of joy. Two days after she was born, I developed Postpartum Cardiomyopathy, a form of congestive heart failure which we now believe was caused the my chemotherapy. I was readmitted also for fluid on my lungs and 2 clots in the port used to administer my chemotherapy.   I am so blessed to be here to share my story. Having had cancer..............twice...............made me take a long look at where I was in my life.  I did not want to leave this world without making a difference in it.  I try to do it all.  Even after hearing from my family and friends that I need to slow down.  I thank God for my family, friends and doctors who have been with me every step of this ordeal.    Belonging to a group of strong women who know exactly what you have gone through is therapy in itself. They are not group members or fellow survivors but, they are my sisters.  I am so proud of the work we are doing.  It is so important to get this message out and we want to educate as many young girls as possible. It has been a long road but, I have not finished my journey. There's lots of work to be done.  I'll be the biker dressed in my pink gear riding off into the sunset on my motorcycle . So be sure to honk!  I have so much to live for and will enjoy every day as if it were my last.     Email Sadrena at:   snmattox@aol.com

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