Page 37 - Dr. Nisha Bunke

Hannah Martine…

Susan G. Komen San Diego’s Honorary Survivor of the Year

When you hear the words “You have Stage 4 Breast Cancer,” it is easy to • You do not need to have family history of breast cancer to get it.
understand the gripping fear that you feel. But when you are not even 30 •Stage IV breast cancer is not a death sentence.
years old, one can only imagine the disbelief and terror. These are the
words that were told to Hannah Martine, who was named the 2016 Susan As a Stage IV survivor, she will never be considered cancer free, but
G. Komen San Diego Honorary Survivor of the Year. Hannah is now in remission, healthy and back to full energy both at work
The year was 2015 and Hannah had just started a job at Oster and and in her other hobbies and daily activities. Hannah and her friends at
Associates, as a Public Relations Specialist when she received the Oster just participated in their second Race for the Cure on November 6th
frightening diagnosis. “I was just settling into my role at Oster and Associ- 2016. Through maintaining a healthy lifestyle, medications and routine
ates and focusing on building my career when I was diagnosed,” said check-ups, she hopes to stay in remission indefinitely.
Hannah. “I didn’t know how my new bosses would react, so when I shared
the news with the management Hannah celebrated her 30th birthday on June 17 of
team, I was beyond thankful this year: A poignant milestone for anyone, made even
when they were supportive and more special as she finished her final round of radiation
committed to helping me through just six days after. How did she mark the occasion? By
treatment.” doing something special, something she has always
wanted to do - a picnic by the ocean. At the party, she
When Hannah was diagnosed with and a close group of friends along with her Mom and
Stage IV breast cancer (metastatic sister, toasted to a stunning San Diego sunset,
breast cancer) she was scared celebrating Hannah, her strength, courage, determina-
and had many questions. Her tion and love of life.
first instinct was to contact Susan “I’m in remission, but the fight isn’t over, said Hannah.
G. Komen San Diego to receive “It’s never over. As a Stage IV survivor, I am not cancer
resources as well as the emo- free. There’s no return to my “old life.” Living with ad-
tional support she so desperately vanced cancer means living with continued
needed. The organization not monitoring, managing daily medication and its side
only provided emotional support, effects, and battling the constant fear of wondering if
they also gave her financial aid the cancer will return.”
throughout her treatment, which On November 6, Hannah and more than 15,000 San
helped her immensely as a young, Diegans joined together to participate in the 2016 Race
single professional living on a for the Cure. Participating in the Race helps Komen
budget with no family in town. San Diego provide free services for every step of the
Komen San Diego is the County’s breast cancer journey:
largest funder of free breast • Diagnostic mammograms, biopsies, MRI’s, ultra-
cancer services and support and sounds and more for qualified women who have
is the only organization providing nowhere to turn when breast cancer strikes.
qualified women the free services • Temporary financial aid – including rent, mortgage,
they need for every step of the prescription drug payments and more.
breast cancer journey. • Meal delivery for a woman and her entire family.
Metastatic breast cancer is breast • Intensive patient navigation – complete with emotional
cancer that has spread beyond the support for all.
breast to other organs in the body • The world’s largest investment of breast cancer 37
(most often the bones, lungs, liver or brain). Although metastatic breast research – next to the U.S. government. Since 1982, Susan G. Komen has
cancer cannot be cured, it does not mean that it can’t be treated. Nearly invested more than $889 million in over 2,400 grants for breast cancer
half of Susan G. Komen’s funding for 2015 was invested in metastatic research. Currently in San Diego there is more than $2 million in five
research bringing metastatic research to $147 million in 377 grants since active grants at work to find the cure!
the founding of the organization; the most of any organization outside of • Wherever there’s a gap – Komen San Diego fills it.
the U.S. government. • For more information about Susan G. Komen San Diego or to make a
“The research Komen is working on in the metastatic field is vital for me, donation, please visit: www.komensandiego.org.
as I will most likely always have to be in treatment of some kind, and when ABOUT THE RACE FOR THE CURE
the next drug stops working I am relying on the advancements of research The Komen Race for the Cure is a unique 5K and 1 mile race designed and
to discover the next best option,” said Martine. “As a Stage IV young implemented to promote positive awareness, education and early detection of breast
survivor, my life is extended by advancements in research.” cancer. It has proved to be an enormously effective way to reach many women
In September 2015, Hannah began a tough treatment plan which included and men with the message that breast cancer does not have to be fatal if regular
chemotherapy, a mastectomy, radiation and more. Her bosses at Oster mammograms and breast self-exams become routine. As well as being a road race
worked around her treatment schedule, providing flexible work hours and for runners, the Komen Race for the Cure is an emotionally charged event attracting
the flexibility to work from home, if she needed. Co-workers joined Hannah many first timers and recreational runners. It is an opportunity for thousands of
in walking the 2015 Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure and women, men and their families, running or walking, to share a message of hope and
visited her while she was in the hospital. They brought her meals while she inspiration with their communities.
recovered and sent thoughtful gifts, cards and more.
From the moment of her diagnosis Hannah’s life would forever change.
Much of her time was spent at doctor’s offices. She was also faced with a
postoperative staff infection. She even had to face issues of
reproduction; since she found out that the Cancer treatment might affect
her ability to conceive she had to get her eggs frozen to make sure she
could have children. Through all of this Hannah has worked to find the
good in a bad situation. She has taken it upon herself to become an
advocate to help dispel certain breast cancer myths such as:
• A lump does not have to feel like a lump.
• 29 is not too young to have breast cancer.