Connie Dunklebarger


Connie and her husband, Ed, finally go to the prom.

York, PA


Connie Dunklebarger was a music teacher in the public schools from 1974 until her retirement this year from Spring Grove school district. She continues to serve as director of three choirs at her church.

Connie and her husband, Ed, have three children, Joshua, 25, Ashley, 22 and Skylar, 17. Ed is President/CEO of Community Banks Corporation which is headquartered in Harrisburg.

How did you react to the diagnosis?
Oh my goodness, with total shock. My breast cancer was found through a regular annual mammogram. I don't even remember driving home from the doctor's office. My brother passed away from colon cancer in 1990, so I thought the worst. What would my kids do without me? What would the coming months bring? Had it spread? You become very fearful.

What was the treatment?
The first surgery did not have clear margins. The 10 days between the first and second surgeries were the longest 10 days of my life. After the second surgery, Dr. Tom Bauer, said, "We have good news! Clear margins. Now we know what your journey will be."

My journey started with early detection. Then I went to 37 rounds of radiation with no chemo. I was not in school teaching because I felt that I had to have 110% attention to those students. I needed to be focused with the job and the students in the forefront so although I could have worked, I didn't. I went back to teaching in November and directed my Christmas concert. The kids were unbelievably gracious. Most people assume that 7th and 8th graders can't be gracious but believe me . . . they can be.

What kind of support did you receive?
My biggest supporter was my husband Ed. He made my situation priority number one. My pastors, Paul and Sally Gausman at my church, St. Paul Lutheran in York, asked if I wanted to be anointed in a healing service. I accepted the offer, and I believe God took over at that point and got me through it. He saw fit to create a healing miracle in me. It gave me strength and quietness in my heart and for that I'll be forever worshipful and grateful.

How did breast cancer change you?
My breast cancer brought me closer to my God. Things have come to be good. Real good.

What would you like others to learn from your story?
You'd be surprised that there are all kinds of people to support you. You're not alone. I value the medical profession and the researchers striving to cure this disease. People need to be generous with their time and money to do what's necessary to continue the research!

I value every day. Ed and I have known one another since 7th grade, but we never dated in high school. As a faculty member at Spring Grove, where Skylar is class president, I can attend the prom. So I invited Ed and we had our picture taken there. After 29 years of marriage, Eddie and I finally got to go to the prom.