Septptember 2004

Saturday, September 4, I attended the memorial service of Pat Ashton. Pat was a loyal volunteer for the PBCC, regularly attended the conference in a volunteer role, participated in health fairs on our behalf, always had a smile on her face and carried around an incredible amount of inner strength and dignity. She was 57.
 
I left the service saddened, of course. But I also left there with my resolve strengthened that in everything we do at the PBCC, we first ask…how does this help us find a cure for breast cancer? I am outraged at breast cancer for taking Pat Ashton way too soon and for leaving her two sons left to figure out which way to turn next; for leaving her sister to miss out on a lifetime of memories to come; and for leaving all the friends and family there to wonder ...what if cancer happens to me or my family?
 
The service was a lovely tribute to a lovely woman. We can all only hope to be remembered as fondly as Pat was. But for me, the service served another purpose too. As the PBCC’s Executive Director, I will do everything in my power to fight harder for a cure, direct more monies to research, and to continue to be the voice for not only breast cancer survivors, but those we’ve lost too soon. 

I said in my last letter to you that until there is a cure, I look forward to continued successful programming; more life-saving legislation; finding innovative ways to reach underserved populations; and the development of exciting new programs and communications such as Pink Link, our electronic newsletter. All that still holds true. But it is with a new resolve and a new determination that I serve as your Executive Director. Together, we can and will find a cure for this disease.

Heather Hibshman
Executive Director