News from Project Self-Sufficiency

  Gail Just approaches her health with the same no-nonsense attitude which made her a success in her law enforcement career. When an annual mammogram revealed that she had three tumors in one of her breasts, she immediately investigated her alternatives, selected a medical provider, and proceeded with a treatment plan. “I’m a retired state trooper and I tend to take things differently than most people,” remarked Just. “I decided we’re not going to use the word ‘scared.’”   Breast cancer is often a silent disease, with virtually no symptoms, but it is often completely curable if diagnosed in its early stages. In 1980, the national five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer was about 74%; today that number is 99%.   There are currently more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States.   One out of eight women will develop breast cancer, yet about 85% of these women have no family history of the disease.   A...

  Breast cancer survivors are invited to a unique celebration of life at Project Self-Sufficiency on Saturday, June 4th, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.   The Survivor Celebration will feature break-out sessions, lunch, music and interactive exhibits.   A keynote presentation will be offered by therapist, author and motivational speaker Diane Lang.   Music will be provided by Sue Polcer.   Martin Kessler, Sussex County Community College Culinary Arts, will give a cooking demonstration.   A Question-and-Answer session will be facilitated by medical oncologist Dr. May Abdo-Matkiwsky.   Raffles and other prizes will be awarded throughout the event.   Numerous vendors will be available to offer tips on health, wellness, fashion and exercise.   The free celebration will be held outdoors, and face masks are required.   The rain date is June 11 th .   Interested participants must call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 to register. ...

“I want to express that the individual has to be proactive in their own self-examinations,” explains breast cancer survivor Bette Schumacher, who noticed a strange dimpling in one of her breasts at the age of 74.   With a family history of breast cancer, Schumacher had been receiving regular screening mammograms for years.   Although a questionable mass had been detected in the opposite breast many years before, there had been no malignancy and the spot remained unchanged over time.   This time, Schumacher insisted on getting a mammogram immediately, but the test yielded nothing out of the ordinary.   She persisted in her belief that something was amiss and made an appointment with a breast surgeon who ordered a second mammogram and an ultrasound.   Eventually, a biopsy determined that Schumacher had Stage 3 breast cancer.   Schumacher was vindicated.   “I’m not a doctor, but I can feel my own body!” Breast cancer survivor Bette Schumacher ...