Page 16 - Innovation-Spring-2016
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EILEEN SMALL



            Breast Cancer Survivor Named 2016 Day of Hope Ambassador







                                                               Regional Medical Center Foundation funded genetic testing
                                                                program proved the answer—yes, there was a family genetic
                                                                predisposition to cancer, and now Eileen’s family is able to take
                                                                preventative measures to avoid the development of cancer for
                                                               current and future generations.


                                                               In May of 2015, Eileen underwent her last chemotherapy
                                                               treatment. She proudly cried tears of joy as her oncology
                                                                nurses who have become her dear friends serenaded her with a
                                                               celebratory “Happy Last Chemo to You” song.


            Every so often an extraordinary individual comes along who   A lover of the ocean and avid Paddleboarder
            touches countless lives and inspires others is special ways.   before her surgery, Eileen was inspired
            For the medical professionals of Marian Cancer Care, breast   by her journey with cancer to help other
            cancer survivor Eileen Small is one of those special people.  patients. Now in remission, Eileen
                                                               and her husband, John, developed
            Eileen’s cancer journey began well before her own diagnosis.   a paddle boarding and kayaking
            Within a two year period, Eileen supported both her sister and   program for local Marian Cancer
            mother as they fought breast cancer. Due to a family history   Care patients and caregivers.
            of cancer, physicians speculated that Eileen’s sister, Melissa
            Ferrari, had a genetic syndrome, but unfortunately Eileen’s   Eileen concludes, “I’ve learned what’s
            sister lost her battle with cancer at the young age of 39 before   really important in life: to slow down
            completing genetic testing.                        and take the time to enjoy the
                                                               simple moments. For me,
           “The Marian Cancer Care team of physicians, nurses, and   having cancer was just a
            support staff truly became a part of our family—always there to   little speed bump and a
            give a hug, answer a question, or just provide an encouraging   small chapter in the story
            word to stay positive,” explains Eileen.           of my life.”

            It was through this established feeling of trust that Marian
            Cancer Care nurse navigator Liz Elliott, RN, and breast
            surgeon, Monica Rocco, MD, encouraged Eileen to schedule
            a full breast evaluation following her sister’s passing. During
            Eileen’s evaluation a mass was found in her right breast and a
            biopsy revealed a cancerous tumor.                                        WEDNESDAY

            Soon after, Eileen underwent surgery and began treatment                 APRIL 13
            to fight the cancerous disease. She also initiated genetic                   2016
            testing to finish what her sister, Melissa, started. The Marian






                      Breast cancer survivor Eileen Small is the Day of Hope 2016 Ambassador. Marian, in
            16        partnership with the Santa Maria Times, invites you to join Eileen and hundreds of volunteer
                      community members for the third annual Day of Hope on Wednesday, April 13, 2016.
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