With positive attitude and determination, Maina has transformed her diagnosis into an opportunity to raise awareness and educate women about breast cancer.

“As strange as it may sound, I consider this diagnosis a gift,” Maina says. “I’m in one of the best hospitals in the world, and I have complete faith in my medical team.”

Maina immigrated to the United States in 1992 and shortly thereafter, became a successful entrepreneur, all the while raising two children as a single mother.

Maina always focused on the wellbeing of others, specifically her children, but she said she began thinking more about her health as she reached the age of 40. In 2010, after learning to conduct a self breast exam, Maina found a small lump in her left breast that seemed to appear and disappear.

She immediately went to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., for a mammogram and ultrasound. After further testing, on April 5, 2010, Maina was diagnosed with stage III breast cancer.

Maina’s immediate thought was of her children. “I just wanted to know that I could fight this and take care of my children at the same time,” Maina recalls.

A month later, Maina underwent a bi-radical mastectomy and reconstruction under the care of the physicians in Mayo’s Breast Clinic.

“I knew I was in the best hands,” she said. “There is nothing Mayo Clinic can’t do. I couldn’t think of a better place to go than Mayo Clinic.

Currently finishing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Maina has been inspired to share her story locally but also with the women of third world countries.

Growing up, Maina said the nearest medical clinic was over 160 miles away from her village.

“With all of the epidemics in the country, people are focused on diseases like HIV and tuberculosis,” she said. “While those diseases are a huge problem, breast cancer is overlooked.”

Maina is now making plans to open up a breast health clinic in her home village with the goal of educating women on how to conduct self-exams.

“I was lucky enough to have access to a wonderful place like Mayo Clinic, but these women don’t have any understanding of the disease, let alone treatment,” she says.

With the fifth-annual 26.2 with Donna: The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer approaching this weekend, Maina plans to be out cheering and encouraging others to get involved and find a cure for breast cancer.

“Every person who even talks about breast cancer in this community is helping spread awareness and encourage women to know their bodies and conduct self exams,” she said. “I am just one little girl from Kenya, but I will make a difference.”

In 2006, Kara, his wife of more than three decades, discovered that she had advanced colon cancer. After a two year battle, she sadly passed away at the age of 54 leaving behind her husband, children and many friends.

Less than two-years later, Robert began experiencing acid reflux symptoms and abdominal discomfort. Initial tests results revealed a gastrointestinal blockage. Unfortunately, the final diagnosis proved serious – small bowel cancer. He continues with treatment at Mayo Clinic in Arizona and is enrolled in a clinical trial.

In this video, Robert shares two journeys. One as a caregiver to his first wife and then as a patient living with cancer. He explains how the many blessings in his life give him hope to continue fighting his disease.

Following surgery, pathology revealed that I had stage 3 cancer. I saw three top doctors, who specialize in thyroid cancer treatment.  All agreed I needed aggressive radioactive iodine treatment as soon as possible.  I took a step back and listened to “that voice” that said to call the Mayo clinic hotline number. The woman who answered the hotline located the right team for me to read my pathology report to one of the ENT team. I flew to Mayo Clinic in Rochester four days later.  The only way I can describe my experience is to relate it to shopping at Nordstrom vs. any other store.  The level of care and service is truly the best in the world. At the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, I felt heard, understood and respected – truly a critical part of the team helping me to get better.  It was the most amazing, customer centric medical experience I have ever had.

I would like to give my thanks and appreciation to Dr. Eric Moore in the ENT division who got me quickly in the system, evaluated and on my way to Dr. Bryan McIver in Endocrinology. Dr. McIver and his team are absolutely incredible. Throughout  this year, they have gone out of their way to be responsive, thorough and reassuring.  That includes online, on the phone or any time I have a question. As it turns out watchful waiting, frequent checks and education have been the best tools in my healing journey.  I feel like I am truly in the BEST hands, and very blessed to be looking ahead to a Happy New Year!

Written by:
Carrie Edwards, 55
Mom of 3 grown children, married to a first responder
Washington DC area

These people who donate to the institutions for medical research and education are the most forward thinking of our kind, yet go almost unnoticed by people such as myself. It brings me to shame that I know what Snooki was up to last weekend, but unaware of the greatest advances in medical care going on right under my nose.”…

You may read the rest of this blogpost here.

He is warm and caring. When he made his diagnosis he looked up information on the computer and showed me in great detail what he believed had happened to me, how it happened and what the treatment needed to be.

I also saw two dermatologists that day and they were equally kind and affirming.

At the end of the day, Dr. Edson telephoned me to see if I had any more questions, how I was doing and again had kind words for me. Doctors don’t just call to see if you have questions or concerns – this was beyond my imagination that he would call me just to make sure I was ok.

Over the past nine months I had seen about eight different doctors for this problem, including other infectious disease specialists, and none of those doctors had a correct diagnosis for me. Some doubted that there was anything at all wrong with me. Dr. Edson told me what was wrong and immediately there was an explanation for all my symptoms.

Listen to her singing here:

Jason O’Grady, M.D. went to West Africa as part of the Mayo International Heath Program within the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education. He recounts his experience in this video.

New Sharing Mayo Clinic blogpost: : Mayo Graduate Student – Trip to West Africa sharing.mayoclinic.org/2011/12/13/may…

— Mayo Clinic (@MayoClinic) December 13, 2011