Let's Talk About Your Breasts

What does it mean when two up and coming, globally successful business people face a life threatening diagnosis? Jeff and Janette Marx share their experience when Janette was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Jeff emphasizes the importance of positivity and being a strong pillar. He highlights collaboration with family and clear work communication. Janette discusses Jeff's balance of suppor...

Janette faced her breast cancer diagnosis with the same methodical process and determination she used in accomplishing all of her other achievements as the CEO for a global and ever-growing company. She surrounded herself with the best people both at work and in her healthcare team. She asked the difficult questions and made sure her physician knew who she was - as a patient, a businesswoman, but...

After practicing law for 18 years, Bill Boyce served as a justice on the 14th Court of Appeals in Houston for 11 years. Bill has argued more than 60 cases in appellate courts throughout Texas and across the country, including the United States Supreme Court. Bill knows the law. When his wife Maria was diagnosed with Triple Negative breast cancer, he soon had a crash course in medicine and what tre...

Triple Negative Breast Cancer? That’s not a white woman’s disease. Maria Boyce’s success as a trial lawyer, handling some of the most complex cases in legal history, was great preparation for facing her breast cancer diagnosis. At least she knew how to ask the difficult questions. What she wasn’t prepared for was the implicit, often sad, message sent by some upon hearing her diagnosis. Triple Nega...

Mike is riding so others can live. Today Mike Hazelrigs and his fiancé Kathy Stevens share what it means to face metastatic breast cancer after years of treatment. Theirs is a true love story amid real-life adversity and hardships. Mike is taking their story to a new level as he rides in the historic Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge TM, a 10,000-mile trek, crisscrossing the United States and Canada,...

As The Rose celebrates her 38th birthday, Dorothy and Dr. Dixie Melillo reminisce about the excitement and challenges of starting The Rose in 1986 and their steadfast commitment to making sure all women and men have access to breast care almost 40 years later. Dr. Melillo also discusses her incredible journey from high school dropout to general surgeon and co-founding The Rose with Dorothy. One mi...

Why is support from friends crucial during a cancer battle? Russanne Kelly shares her breast cancer journey from 22 years ago. She faced divorce, moves, and family challenges during treatment. Insurance and friends were vital. Russanne transitioned to nonprofit work and received support from coworkers. She now gives back to others. Please share this episode with family and friends, and consider ma...

Today, on International Friendship Day, Dorothy is joined by Ronnie Haggerty, a board member of The Rose, who recounts her personal story of rallying together with friends years ago when a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer. She describes the important role friends can play during this time; a role no other person can fill. This was also the first time she encountered seeing the differe...

Lisa Helfman had it all. She was a successful attorney and rising star in her company. She had an addiction that threatened to cut her life short. Lisa was addicted to being busy. Nevertheless, she beat the addition and is now the Community Affairs Director at HEB. During this episode, you'll learn Lisa balances her career and personal life, what Lisa does to take care of herself, and how she's tr...

Road grit meets breast cancer courage in this wild ride from Daytona to Homer that turns one biker into a full‑on breast health champion for his fiance Kathy and uninsured women at The Rose. Why one long‑distance biker took on the Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge to honor his fiancée Kathy and support uninsured women with breast cancer at The Rose. The brutal, beautiful 11,000‑mile route from...

What would you do if genetic testing revealed a high risk for cancer? In this episode, Dorothy speaks with Michelle Sandlin, author of Cancer Don’t Care , and her daughter Kendall. Kendall shares her experience with preventive surgeries after testing positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. She discusses her decision-making process, challenges, and the lack of information for young women facing simil...

What happens when someone in ideal shape is diagnosed with breast cancer?  During this episode, Dorothy welcomes Michelle Sandlin, author of Cancer Don't Care . Michelle shares her breast cancer journey, and discusses the importance of self-care, support, and documenting the experience through writing. She emphasizes paying attention to one's body and seeking medical advice, and much more. Please...

This episode is a mashup of community partners, sponsors, and people whose lives have been directly impacted by The Rose. You’ll hear why sponsors like HEB support the Shrimp Boil, why the Celanese Foundation chose to team up with The Rose for the first time, why one volunteer continues to cook year after year, and how one man’s wife was directly impacted by our work. This episode is a culmination...

Dorothy Gibbons is joined by co-founder Dr. Dixie Melillo, and founder of Sinless Treats, Dr. Beata Lerman.  They discuss the link between sugar and cancer, as well as the importance of eliminating sugar from our diets. The guests highlight the role of processed foods and added sugars in the rise of metabolic diseases and cancer. They emphasize the need for education and awareness about the harmfu...

This Fourth of July holiday, we celebrate our freedom and honor those who make The Rose a safe and secure experience every day for our patients, staff, and visitors. During this conversation, Dorothy speaks with The Rose’s security guard—and boxer—Shane Evans. Shane’s been providing security for the Southeast location for the past few years, and he brings a unique perspective to the show. What can...

Independence Day is this week and in the spirit of celebrating our freedom and those who defend our community, today’s podcast guest describes her experience with breast cancer while also bravely serving in the City of Galveston Police Department. “If your doctor didn't listen to you, you need to find another doctor.” Those are the words of Stacy Papillion. Affectionately known as “Sergeant Pap,”...

Dorothy sits down with Dr. Wei Yang, a renowned professor and breast radiologist. Dr. Yang emphasizes the significance of mammography, recommending annual screening starting at age 40 for women at average risk. During this conversation, you’ll hear about the benefits of digital breast tomosynthesis (3D mammography) and breast MRI for women at elevated risk, highlighting the positive outcomes assoc...

Joanne Patterson shares her deeply personal journey of being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. At age 46 and a single mother of four, she knew the odds were against her. Despite the gravity of her diagnosis, she chose positivity and optimism as she battled against the cancer that steadily deteriorated her body. While Joanne's journey has been marked by setbacks and obstacles - including los...

During this episode, you’ll learn about the humble beginnings of The Rose’s Annual Shrimp Boil. From those modest roots that include a mini bass boat, the event has flourished into a beloved community tradition that raises funds for The Rose's programs and have played a crucial role in allowing The Rose to provide life-saving services to uninsured women throughout Southeast Texas. Beyond its fundr...

Meet Sharon Cho, a two-time breast cancer survivor and head of the dessert table at The Rose’s Annual Shrimp Boil. Sharon has been a part of the Shrimp Boil since 1998, baking countless delectable treats like her bestselling pineapple upside-down cakes to raise money for Rose patients. During this conversation, Sharon emphasizes the life-saving importance of getting regular mammograms and not dela...

Judy Pareya is a breast cancer survivor and dedicated volunteer at The Rose. She joins Dorothy to share her powerful story, emphasizing the life-saving importance of early detection. Judy's experience underscores the vital role The Rose plays in providing care for uninsured women. Since surviving her battle with breast cancer more than twenty years ago, Judy has been actively involved in raising f...

An estimated one out of every one-hundred breast cancers diagnosed are found in a man. Charlie Morris is one of them. And he joins Dorothy to talk about his experience. During this episode, you’ll learn how he discovered his cancer, how he beat it, the reaction from his guy friends at work, and what he does to spread awareness in the community. Help us grow the show by leaving a review on your pod...

Jennifer Pareya's support for The Rose spans more than twenty years and it all started with her mom’s breast cancer experience. Jennifer’s mom, Judy, was diagnosed at The Rose and after beating breast cancer, she insisted on the family giving back. And they’ve done so tenfold. From fundraisers at the Lighthouse Pub to Bikers Against Breast Cancer, they’ve spent many years advocating on behalf of u...

Pat McDavid, affectionately known as “Sunshine,” has supported The Rose for years. For close to ten years, Pat has attended our annual Shrimp Boil. And without fail, he gets the crowd going by raising his live auction paddle. As you listen to Pat’s story, you’ll learn that his commitment to giving back stems from his upbringing. He was instilled with the belief that helping others is paramount. Pa...

The Shrimp Boil is a beloved annual fundraiser hosted by The Rose.  What started as a small gathering has blossomed into a massive party with over eight hundred attendees. It happens at the Pasadena Convention Center on June 22nd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This is no stuffy gala.  The Shrimp Boil is a casual and fun affair. Guests can bid on exciting items at the silent auction. They can try their luck...