Breast Cancer Awareness
A helping hand ‘when I was at my lowest’
Read on to learn how the Blessing Foundation made a difference after Amberly Forrest’s breast cancer diagnosis
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She was just 31, a mom of three, with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.
When bills started piling up, adding to her stress, the Blessing Foundation was there.
At 31, Amberly Forrest was still years away from scheduling her first mammogram.
She didn’t have a family history of breast cancer.
So, when her doctor told her that the lump she felt during a self-check in January was breast cancer, Amberly was shocked and overwhelmed. Not only was it cancer, but it was a rare and aggressive form called triple-negative breast cancer.
This diagnosis, which accounts for just 10-15% of breast cancer cases, meant that the cancer cells tested negative for two hormone receptors and negative for an excess of HER2 protein. Traditional breast cancer treatment used to target those receptors or protein wouldn’t work. Plus, the cancer cells grow and spread faster.
“It was a big tumor,” Amberly said. “We started everything pretty quickly.”
She received treatment at the Blessing Cancer Center with Dr. M. Ishaqe Memon, medical oncologist/hematologist at Blessing Physician Services, overseeing her care. She also traveled to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, for specialized treatment.
Dr. Memon said her initial chemotherapy wasn’t shrinking the tumor, so Amberly moved forward with surgery - a bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction - in June, a planned operation, but sooner than anticipated. Surgery was followed up with proton radiation therapy at Mayo Clinic, and she’s now taking a six-month course of oral chemotherapy.
“She is a very brave woman,” Dr. Memon said. “Emotionally, she was very strong. And her husband was very supportive.”
Unexpected Cancer Journey Takes a Financial Toll
While Amberly and her husband, Skyler, who have three children, were supporting each other emotionally through this ordeal, along with other family and friends, the financial toll was starting to mount.
Amberly works in the Blessing Hospital Emergency Center and had to go on short-term disability in March because it was too dangerous for her to work there during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially because her immune system was compromised. Skyler became the sole provider, but also took some time off without pay to be with her at the Mayo Clinic.
They had to rent a home in Minnesota. Transportation costs were high. Bills were piling up. The kids needed back-to-school supplies.
“Money was a big stress,” Amberly said, adding that the family receives no assistance from the state or federal government.
The Blessing Foundation came to the family’s aid, using donations to the Blessing Breast Services Fund to pay for a house payment, utilities, and other bills.
“Without the Foundation, we really would have struggled,” Amberly said. “They helped us when we needed it. When I was at my lowest with my health, my mental health, my financial health, just everything, it helped so much.”
Blessing Breast Services Fund Supports Patients In Need
The Blessing Breast Services Fund supports breast cancer patients who are in financial need and have exhausted all other resources. The fund helps pay for unmet needs, such as medication, prosthetics, wigs, medical supplies, transportation, and living expenses.
The fund also is used to ensure women who can’t afford mammograms have access to them.
“I cannot tell you how many patients I see that don’t seek medical attention because they can’t afford it. Even with insurance, it doesn’t cover everything,” Dr. Memon said. The cost of transportation to and from appointments is an additional expense. “Some patients come from 40, 50, 60 miles away and they don’t have the resources,” he said.
“When I meet patients, that’s one of the first things we discuss, their financial situation,” said Jessica Nuebel, BSN, RNC-OB, Blessing Breast Center Navigator. “If they verbalize any concern, a whole team gets involved. We see what we can do to ease that financial burden.”
When funds from the Blessing Breast Services Fund are accessed for patients in need, the Blessing Foundation “works fast,” Nuebel said. “We’re so very thankful we can pay it forward for these patients and help them through their journey.”
She adds that “financial toxicity” can have a detrimental effect on a cancer patient’s recovery.
“The stress and anxiety of it affects people’s healing and how they tolerate their treatment,” Nuebel said. “It’s a big deal. The fact that we have this opportunity to ease that is an awesome opportunity.”
‘Blessing Was There to Help Me Financially’
Amberly, now 32, has been through a lot, but she’s feeling confident about her future. She started back to work in mid-September.
“I feel good,” she said. “I feel more of myself than I have in a long time. I’m not in a chemo fog. My hair is growing back. I’m feeling better about myself and I’m so excited to come back to work and get back in that routine.”
She’s incredibly grateful to the Blessing Foundation for being there during a difficult time.
“Blessing was there to help me financially when I couldn’t get it from anywhere else,” she said. “We could have had the utilities shut off. We maybe even would have had to get loans to get things paid.”
Support the Breast Services Fund by Buying Pink Apparel
Did you know that you can support patients like Amberly simply by buying a T-shirt?
The Blessing Breast Center opens an Apparel Store each October – during Breast Cancer Awareness Month – to sell a wide array of short- and long-sleeved tees, sweatshirts, hoodies, shorts, tank tops, leggings, sweatpants, and more. New breast cancer awareness designs are created each year.
When you buy a piece of pink apparel, 100% of the proceeds go to the Blessing Foundation’s Breast Services Fund.
The store in the Oak Street Mall, 4937 Oak, will be open to the public on the following dates:
• Thursday, Oct. 1
– 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 2
– 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 3
– 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Another popular October fundraiser – “Pink. Pass It On in the District” 5K walk – is supported by Quincy’s downtown businesses and benefits the Breast Services Fund. This year’s walk isn’t being held because of COVID-19, but organizers are planning an alternative fundraiser.
Donations are Always Appreciated – Not Just in October
Donations to the Blessing Foundation’s Breast Services Fund are needed year-round, not just in October, so we can continue to support breast cancer patients and provide hope and support when they need it the most.
“It doesn’t have to be a huge amount of money to make a difference,” Nuebel said. “Every little bit helps.”
What is the Blessing Foundation?
Since 1983, the Blessing Foundation has been giving back to the community that has given so much to all of us. The charitable foundation distribute grants, scholarships and financial assistance to individuals and families to help them on their healthcare journeys.
For more information about the Blessing Foundation or to discuss a donation or gift, call (217) 223-8400, ext. 4800, or email us at BlessingFoundation@blessinghealth.org
