Founder Christie Lee' Story:
Our Founder's Story: Christie C. Lee
As a newly claimed to fame survivor of breast cancer, I can still remember finding the lump and asking my, at the time 13 month old daughter and 12 year old cousin, to feel the lump I just found on my left breast, as if it were yesterday. My cousin concentrated heavily on her new posts on Facebook and my little one ran around in
circles doing what 1 year olds typically do; played. I exercised the day before and decided to change my work out program. I had not lifted free weights in months and wanted to start gaining arm strength to help carry my growing child, so I decided to work my chest area. Any of you who exercise or even use muscles for any activity that have not been used in a while know from experience, that those worked muscles will possibly become extremely sore due to their lack of use. I begin to rub the muscles and noticed a lump for the first time; that seemed to have appeared out of thin air. I ended up not having any takers in the room to assess what I had just found, but I will never forget how the children continued to do their own thing as I just kind of spoke into the air “I have breast cancer”
I was diagnosed with breast cancer February 22, 2012. I found the lump on my left breast myself February 18, 2012 and as I stated above I knew immediately what it was due to the way it felt; immediately set an appointment to have the lump reviewed and well…the rest is history. There’s never a good time to be told you have cancer (of any kind) but I would have chosen to have been told before I had my now 2 year old daughter. I am a 44 year old single parent and as I was literally getting into the routine of parenting alone, I found the lump. I get mammograms yearly, I receive physicals annually, and I am actually teased for going to the doctor excessively so how in the world could this happen to me? Well it happened and with that being said, I set in my mind that this wasn’t a death sentence; which then turned my entire experience into something positive. I exercised during treatment (slacking off when chemotherapy took over), attended outdoor concerts, kayaked (for the first time I might add) after my lumpectomy on my 44th birthday, and cared for my beautiful baby girl (of course with the support of family and friends). The C Foundation Comes Alive
My treatment of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy, and radiation officially ended last November and I must say 2012 seemed to have moved pretty quickly. One of the most important things for me was to not look the part; like a cancer patient receiving chemotherapy. I was determined not to look sad, tired, or frumpy, as I had continuously witness in other patients while preparing for my journey. I remember attending my first support meeting and as I looked around the room I quietly promised that I would not look “them”. “Them” would be the breast cancer patients enduring much more than I had at that time. I quickly gained the understanding for their awkward stares and humble appearances once I began chemotherapy but my determination for not looking the part was not diminished (in spirit specifically), so I grabbed my new definition of me and off I went to the hospital weekly “not looking like the typical patient” to receive treatment and whatever came with it. I tell this story lightly but it wasn’t an easy task to achieve. My positivity seemed to receive attention and because of the attention I began to share some of myself with others who were not responding as well mentally or emotionally as I was on this journey. This also received the attention of volunteers of The Northwest NC Komen Affiliate in Winston. I was asked to apply for the Face of Breast cancer for my county and was elected to be one of the Faces of Breast Cancer for Guilford (my county) for the Affiliate for 2013. With everything that happened in my life, I still smiled and with life in general, we all know there are days that we just don’t feel like. I had many of those days that I did not want to smile due to the effects of the treatment or due to the financial struggle that I witnessed cancer patient’s experience. They were not only struggling to fight this disease but they were struggling to meet their daily needs. I am very thankful for the multiple means of support that I have which helped me continue, with challenges; to provide myself my daily needs, but there are many who do not come close once they receive this type of diagnosis. I work hard as a Face of Breast Cancer to help raise awareness on early detection and to help raise money for a cure but my passion lies with the financial aspects that may come with any major illness. The financial stress affects the majority including those, like myself, who are insured but are still faced with an unimaginable responsibility not covered by insurance plans. This financial responsibility only adds un-wanted stress which prolongs wellness and because of this; I have set a personal goal to help others. The C Foundation came to life to enhance the quality of life of those in need of financial assistance once diagnosed with breast cancer. As the founder, I have decided to reach out to you to help me help those going through this battle stay hopeful on their journey and keep them on track to a well deserved successful recovery. The C Foundation will be hosting a silent auction in Alexandria, Virginia, October (breast cancer month) of this year and we are reaching out to you with the request of donating products to be auctioned. One hundred percent of the donated items will be auctioned and raised proceeds will be given to breast cancer patients who qualify to receive financial assistance. What an assurance The C Foundation will have knowing that we are securing products that our clientele will bid on without hesitation. We would be honored to have your representation for such a needed cause. I have open availability for any questions you have regarding donations, sponsorships, etc. Thank you so much for taking out the time to read what I have become very passionate about. Christie C.
