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In this episode, Chantel Williams shares her background as a military brat and transition from logistics to finance.  Chantel's involvement with the Junior League of Houston is a testament to her commitment to community service. As the outside board representative for The Rose, she offers a unique perspective, highlighting the invaluable opportunity for Junior League members to serve on nonprofit boards and make a tangible impact. With raw honesty, Chantel opens up about her personal experience with breast cancer, underscoring the importance of advocating for oneself. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered  1.) In what ways does moving around as a military brat and experiencing different cultures shape her perspective and adaptability? 2.) How does being involved in organizations like the Junior League provide leadership skills and opportunities to make a positive impact in the community? 3.) Why is it important to advocate for oneself in healthcare is crucial, especially when it comes to early detection and prevention of diseases like breast cancer. 4.) How did Chantel’s role in the Junior League inspire her work with The Rose Timestamped Overview 00:00 Background and Moving Around 02:04 Career Path and Starting AFP Group 07:30 Joining the Junior League of Houston 09:21 Being the Outside Board Representative for The Rose 13:36 Personal Experience with Breast Cancer 24:17 Impact of Junior League Membership 26:48 Learning from The Rose 31:36 Importance of Junior League and The Rose See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For Miroslava De Leon, finding purpose proved to be impossible as a supply chain analyst. So she left Corporate America and became a paramedical tattoo artist. After pushback from her inner circle, she persevered and has now helped countless women look and feel their best with 3D areola tattoos through her business Conceal Touch. During this episode, Dorothy and Miroslava discuss her career switch, what paramedical tattooing is, and the unique way she helps breast cancer survivors. Go to Miroslava’s website to learn more about her work. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aeliya Jaffar’s story is both harrowing and inspiring. She’s a former pharmacist who was diagnosed with breast cancer one year postpartum  during the COVID-19 pandemic. As if that’s not enough heartache, her paternal grandmother passed away. During this episode, Aeliya gets candid about her struggles, her triumphs, and she shares her story with an unflinching attitude of strength and heroism with a touch of humor. Help us grow the show by leaving a review on your podcast platform and sharing with your family and friends. And please consider supporting our mission at therose.org. Your donation could help save the life of an uninsured woman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An itch, a small lump, and a thirty four year old mom who refused to ignore what her hand felt. Amber Gonzalez shares how a pea sized lump led to a triple negative breast cancer diagnosis, aggressive chemo, surgery, and hard decisions about what to tell her children. From cold caps and hats to long days at Texas Oncology with her mother at her side, Amber shows what early action, self exams, and strong support can mean for young women facing breast cancer. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Amber first notice her breast lump and decide to call her doctor?2. What steps led from a well woman visit to mammogram, ultrasound, biopsy, and diagnosis?3. What does triple negative breast cancer, stage two, grade three, mean in practical terms for treatment planning?4. How did Amber’s treatment at Texas Oncology unfold, including Taxol, Carbo, and Red Devil chemo?5. What role did the cold cap and hats play in helping her maintain a more normal appearance for her children?6. How did she balance extreme fatigue, long chemo days, and parenting responsibilities?7. What did Amber choose to share and not share with her younger children about her diagnosis?8. How did her mother support her practically and emotionally through treatment?9. Why does Amber emphasize monthly self exams and being in tune with any changes in your breasts?10. How can friends and caregivers show up for someone in breast cancer treatment, according to Amber’s experience? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

LaTrease Price-Gistard didn't know about The Rose when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. She's convinced things would have ended up quite differently if she had. During this episode, we talk about her breast cancer journey, the effects of her battle as it relates to her children, and how she ended up serving as a volunteer for The Rose. Help us grow the show by leaving a review on your podcast platform and sharing with your family and friends. And please consider supporting our mission at therose.org. Your help could help save the life of an uninsured woman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former 36-year trial attorney, breast cancer survivor, and a passionate advocate fighting for healthcare equity. Maria Boyce steps into her new role as Board Chair of The Rose, channeling her own life-saving early diagnosis into a mission to ensure quality breast healthcare is a right for all women, not a privilege. From navigating structural barriers across 45 Texas counties and supporting women through patient advocacy to making a legacy gift for future generations, Maria discusses how early detection, dedicated advocacy, and community support save lives. If this conversation has inspired you to join the fight against breast cancer, share this episode with family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so another woman gets the care she needs. If this story has helped you think differently about mammograms and breast health, share this episode with family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so another woman gets the care she needs. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Maria Boyce’s 36-year career as a trial attorney prepare her to advocate for women facing breast cancer today? 2. Why does Maria believe her annual mammograms—and access to good health insurance—were life-saving after an aggressive breast cancer diagnosis? 3. What does Maria mean when she says health care is a right, not a privilege? 4. How did her work with the Episcopal Health Foundation and her family’s commitment to health access lead Maria to The Rose? 5. Why did Maria decide to join The Rose Board of Directors and eventually accept the role of Board Chair? 6. What story about a woman choosing a mastectomy because she could not miss work for radiation stayed with Maria—and why? 7. How does The Rose help women navigate care after a breast cancer diagnosis, from finding treatment to getting through a confusing system? 8. What strengths does Maria see in The Rose’s board, and how does its professional expertise support the organization’s mission? 9. What does Maria see as The Rose’s biggest opportunity over the next forty years, especially for uninsured, underinsured, and rural women? 10. Why did Maria and her husband choose to include The Rose in their legacy plans, and what does she hope that gift will make possible for women in the future? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stage one, double mastectomy, and a woman who refuses to keep breast cancer quiet. Marla Hurley is a business owner, fashion show producer, and mother of three who found a lump high on her chest, pushed for answers, and chose an aggressive surgical path that let her skip chemo and radiation. From dense breasts and high risk screening to posting every step of reconstruction and inspiring other women to get their first mammogram, Marla shows how early detection and honesty can save lives. If this story has helped you think differently about mammograms and breast health, share this episode with family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org so another woman gets the care she needs. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Marla first notice something was wrong and what made her act quickly?2. What does it mean to have dense breasts and a high risk status for breast cancer?3. How did regular diagnostic mammograms shape her outlook when she found the lump?4. What was the process from initial imaging to biopsy and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma?5. Why did Marla choose a double mastectomy over lumpectomy with chemo and radiation?6. What did surgeons find during surgery that imaging had missed and how did that change her treatment?7. Why is she taking a long term medication for five to ten years and what does it do for recurrence risk?8. What was recovery like from mastectomy and reconstruction, including expanders, fills, and the “great deflate?”9. How did family, friends, and her three adult children support her through diagnosis and surgery?10. How did posting her journey online lead other women to schedule mammograms and catch cancer early? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ashley Dedmon is a women's health advocate. This week, she shares her compelling story to ensuring she never experiences breast cancer. As a BRCA2 positive patient and having lost her mother to breast cancer, Ashley made the difficult decision to have a double mastectomy. She also speaks about the impact of her father's cancer diagnosis and how it strengthened her resolve. During this episode, you'll hear her story of survival and how her decision helped her to take control of her life. And you'll learn how Ashley's helping women make informed choices.  Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Work that never ends, bodies that never rest, and a woman who finally stepped off the treadmill. Emilee Whitehurst returns for another conversation about taking a personal sabbatical from nonstop work, listening to her body again, and building simple practices that support her health, her purpose, and her ability to show up for others. Her story gives anyone in caregiving, nonprofit work, or healthcare permission to pause, heal, and return stronger. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. What made Emily realize she needed to step away from her work and take a personal sabbatical?2. How did she overcome the fear that resting would make her lazy or worthless?3. What cultural messages about productivity and work make it hard for women to rest?4. How does Emily describe the toll of sitting at a screen, not moving, and ignoring basic needs week after week?5. What simple practices did she start or return to during her time away from full time work?6. How does she think this pause will change the way she contributes in her next role?7. Why is it so hard for caregivers, parents, and nonprofit leaders to believe they have a right to rest?8. How can women begin to notice what their bodies are telling them before burnout becomes a crisis?9. What parallels does Emily see between overwork, stress, and the way women postpone their own health appointments?10. How can listeners experiment with small pauses that support their physical health, mental health, and breast health? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Medical Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast, including discussions about diet, nutrition, and other health topics by our guest surgeon, is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your medical condition, health, or diet. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided on this podcast is solely at your own risk. The Rose turns 39!  Join founders Dorothy Gibbons and Dr. Dixie Melillo as they share stories of hope, dignity, and care for every woman, especially those told there’s no way forward.  This special episode honors their legacy, tackles barriers for the uninsured, and reveals why The Rose means a better life for thousands.  Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. Is there hope for patients with advanced breast cancer? 2. What is the hardest conversation Dr. Melillo has had with a patient? 3. What are some challenges faced by patients seeking charity care or financial assistance for breast cancer treatment? 4. How has being a woman influenced their approach to patient care at The Rose? 5. How did personal experiences with poverty influence Dorothy and Dixie’s commitment to healthcare? 6. What is a common misconception about The Rose? 7. What barriers still exist in the healthcare system for uninsured or underinsured women? 8. What role does nutrition play in cancer and medical training? 9. How has The Rose made an impact on the quality of life for its patients? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Breast Health Podcast Insights 03:38 Cancer Program Income Barrier 08:49 Misadventure: Dog, Buick, and Hospital 12:07 Lessons from Unexpected Challenges 13:26 Wig Styling Expertise Shared 16:03 Healthcare Access and Cost Crisis 22:34 Insulin Receptors in Cancer Cells 23:11 Defying Cancer Prognosis with Diet See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stories start on the phones and in the studio long before you ever hit play. Caitlyn McCraw walked into The Rose as a marketing intern and walked out with a deep understanding of patient stories, breast health, and what it means to know your own body. From cold calling women about their mammograms to learning her own breast tissue and normal baselines, Caitlyn shows how small projects and self advocacy create lasting impact for uninsured women and for The Rose’s mission. If this story has inspired you to make a difference, share this episode with family and friends and consider making a donation at therose.org. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Caitlyn’s internship at The Rose introduce her to patient stories and breast cancer advocacy?2. What did she learn from cold calling women and inviting them to share their mammogram journeys on video?3. How do survivor stories help The Rose reach uninsured and insured women with breast health education?4. What role did early video recording and studio work play in building today’s campaigns and podcasts?5. How does knowing your breasts and understanding your own tissue help you spot changes early?6. Why does Caitlyn believe self advocacy is essential when something feels different in your breast?7. How can internships and volunteer work at The Rose support access to mammograms for women in need?8. What practical advice does Caitlyn offer young professionals about adding value and finding their path in health care?9. How do stories from survivors and regular screening patients shape The Rose’s marketing and email campaigns?10. In what ways can donors and community members help The Rose continue sharing life saving breast cancer stories? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What started in 1986 with one paid employee, two volunteers, a donated mammography machine, and used furniture from garage sales, has blossomed into an organization that serves over forty thousand Texans across forty-three counties. On August 1st, The Rose celebrated her 37th birthday. Yes, her birthday. Not "its 37th anniversary." During this episode, you'll learn why The Rose is viewed as a woman and not an organization, as well as its humble beginnings and the people who kept it going in the face of adversity. These stories are both inspiring and harrowing, and they serve as everyday reminders of why we do what we do. To learn more about The Rose's mission and to make a donation, please visit therose.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dense breasts change how screening works and make early detection even more critical. Lynn Dozier shares how a free mammogram at Texas Southern led to follow up care at The Rose, ongoing monitoring of calcifications, and a new level of ownership over her breast health. Along the way, she talks about Skate Church, community, and staying mentally strong while friends faced breast cancer. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Lynn’s free screening mammogram lead her to follow up care at The Rose?2. What does it mean to have dense breasts, and why does that matter for breast cancer detection?3. How do mammograms and ultrasounds work together to give clearer images for women with dense breast tissue?4. What did Lynn’s calcifications mean, and why are six month monitoring visits important.5. How common are dense breasts, particularly among African American women, and what extra vigilance is needed?6. How did friends’ breast cancer diagnoses, caught through regular mammograms, affect Lynn’s view on early detection?7. In what ways does her father’s cancer journey reinforce the need for timely testing and treatment.8. How does Lynn describe the emotional and mental support she offers friends going through breast cancer?9. What role does Skate Church and outdoor skating play in Lynn’s community and mental health?10. How can women without insurance find places like The Rose to access screening mammograms? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What inspires a company's commitment to community support and engagement?  Michael Bland, Capital Project Stewardship Leader at Celanese, illustrates how their proactive approach led them to The Rose, supporting its mission through donations and involvement. From providing much-needed chemo kits to actively participating in community events, Celanese has become a partner rather than just a donor. Their employees, driven by values and empowered by the organization, strive to make a profound impact in the community. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. What is Michael Bland's role at Celanese? 2. What does Michael enjoy most about his job at Celanese? 3. Can you explain what Celanese does as a company? 4. How did Celanese first become involved with The Rose? 5. What kind of community support has Celanese provided to The Rose? 6. Who did Michael Bland dress up as for the Shrimp Boil's 80s costume contest? 7. How did the Celanese team participate in the Shrimp Boil event? 8. What was the significance of the survivor's quilt mentioned in the episode? 9. How does Celanese view its role in community involvement, according to Michael Bland? 10. What is the "Keep the Mobile on the Road" program mentioned by Dorothy Gibbons? Timestamped Overview 00:00 "Breast Health Podcast: Community Support" 04:48 Celanese's Commitment to Community 07:11 Dressing as Slash and Axl, 1986 09:44 Affordable Shrimp Fundraiser & Community Event 14:15 Shared Enthusiasm Impresses New Visitor 16:51 Breaking Silence for Early Detection 21:09 Underestimated Support Logistics 22:13 Mobile Repair Fundraiser Program 25:14 Donations Support Trauma Recovery Program See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A veteran nonprofit CEO and minister walks away from the top job to take a year‑long “power pause” for her health, her daughters, and her sanity. In this first conversation, Emilee Whitehurst traces her path from human biology and divinity school into community organizing, parish ministry, and leadership at Interfaith Action of Central Texas, the Rothko Chapel, Planned Parenthood, and the Houston Area Women’s Center. She describes guiding shelters through COVID, running three facilities at once, and realizing that every minute of her life was organized around work. Emilee explains how a single thought — “I do not have to keep doing this” — triggered a powerful physical release, pushed her to live off retirement savings, and forced her to relearn what rest feels like, rethink her worth, and imagine a different way to lead and live. Support The Rose HERE. Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts. Key Questions Answered 1. How did Emilee Whitehurst move from studying human biology into faith, ministry, and social justice work? 2. Why did Emilee decide to go to Harvard Divinity School and pursue ordination as a Presbyterian minister? 3. How did community organizing around youth incarceration and police violence shape Emilee's sense of calling? 4. What did Emilee learn directing Interfaith Action of Central Texas and then leading the Rothko Chapel? 5. Why did Emilee shift into reproductive health advocacy and later into the CEO role at the Houston Area Women’s Center? 6. How did the COVID pandemic, and the spike in domestic and sexual violence, change Emilee’s work and her staff’s role? 7. What did it look like for Emilee’s team to operate three shelters at once and be treated as first responders? 8. What finally made Emilee consider an “intentional pause” or “power pause,” even though she was at the peak of her career? 9. How did Emilee’s responsibilities as a single mother of two teenage daughters influence her decision to step away? 10. What did Emilee feel in her body when she realized she did not have to keep doing this work in the same way? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Dorothy welcomes Emilee Whitehurst, introduces their long friendship, and invites her to share her background in human biology, divinity school, and early community organizing.02:22 Emilee explains how working around youth incarceration and police violence led her to Harvard Divinity School, parish ministry in Kansas, and leadership roles at Interfaith Action of Central Texas, the Rothko Chapel, Planned Parenthood, and the Houston Area Women’s Center.04:55 Emilee describes leading the Women’s Center through COVID, operating three shelters during a spike in violence, and having her staff recognized as first responders.05:50 Dorothy asks about Emilee’s “power pause”; Emilee explains that as a single mom of two teenage daughters, she feared regretting lost time and began to question her nonstop pace.08:08 Emilee recalls the turning point thought, “I do not have to keep doing this,” and how it brought immediate physical relief, even as she recognized the privilege of living off retirement savings.09:40 Emilee admits she had to relearn how to rest, choosing naps over laundry and confronting fears that she would become lazy if she stopped producing.11:10 She shares how this rest raised profound questions about worth, revealing the “spell” of believing every minute must be productive and acknowledging how nonprofit culture can justify self‑sacrifice.13:20 Emilee says she does not regret her work but is grateful to have woken up in time to enjoy priceless car‑ride conversations with her daughters and to start reconnecting with herself.15:29 She describes becoming present to long‑dormant feelings like rage, sorrow, and grief, and how practices like yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong helped her trust her body’s wisdom.18:18 Emilee notes that while she once lived passionately “from the heart,” the grind of being both full‑time CEO and full‑time mom was no longer sustainable for her health.20:02 She characterizes her current season as a liminal state where headaches and chronic stress have eased, and her daughters see her treating “laundry as just laundry” instead of a crisis.22:21 Emilee explains her search for a new baseline of well‑being, saying she now better recognizes when she slips below it and will use that awareness to judge future roles.24:06 She shares a vision for a retreat center focused on love, healing, and liberation and says she cannot return to her old way of functioning now that she has proved herself.25:31 Emilee acknowledges that her “break” quickly became another full‑time, unpaid job at home, and that most working women never feel they truly rest.27:19 She recognizes women’s fear of stepping out of the workforce in midlife but hopes there is a way to live that does not require working against our own best interests.28:59 Emilee offers simple practices—stop, breathe, line up your body, relax your muscles, tune your mind into your body—as accessible starting points for rest and mindset change.30:16 She roots her perspective in spirituality, affirming that we are inherently worthy without needing to prove it and emphasizing the importance of communities that reflect that worth back.31:21 Dorothy closes by thanking Emilee for sharing a story many women need to hear; Emilee responds with gratitude and humor about how different she looks and feels now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.