Cindy Durham is a personal trainer, mother of five, and now a breast cancer survivor. The quality care she received at The Rose makes her a great advocate for continuing that care to others. Proceeds from the upcoming Shrimp Boil on July 13th will go to help purchase equipment needed for diagnosing other women like Cindy. Pictured left to right: Connor, 12; Bennett, 5; Greg; Cindy; Maddox, 2; Garrett, 15; and Dyllan, 10.
DEER PARK –As a personal trainer, Cindy Durham knows the importance of a healthy lifestyle. For many years the mother of five has been diligent in her pursuit of fit living, from engaging in daily physical activity to upholding a balanced diet. So when her health suddenly took a turn last year, Durham was completely shocked.
“When I found my lump, I thought ‘it can’t be what I think it is,’” the Deer Park resident said,” I’d always heard that you didn’t need to check until you were 40, and I was 38 at the time.”
Unfortunately, Durham was already knowledgeable about breast cancer because her paternal aunt was diagnosed at the age of 35. In March 2012, Durham got similar news. She had stage one invasive ductal carcinoma.
Fortunately, Durham’s physician is Dr. Dixie Melillo, the Co-Founder of The Rose, a nonprofit breast health organization providing quality breast health care to nearly 33,000 women each year – including more than 9,600 who are uninsured – in Houston and southeast Texas
Just one month after the breast cancer detection in April 2012, The Rose helped navigate Durham to chemotherapy. She is still undergoing treatment today; however, like any good athlete, she has the finish line in sight. In the meantime, she praises her “team” at The Rose.
“Everyone at The Rose was kind and informative,” she said. “The cancer made me uncomfortable but the staff really calmed my fears. That was truly the best part of it all because the fear itself is the worst.”
She also joins The Rose as an advocate for breast health, calling for routine screenings and an active regime.
“When we discovered my cancer, I called my three younger sisters and made them all get checked,” she explained.
“If you see something or you’re just uncertain, then research it,” she advised. “Plus exercise is important for the body. You need to go out and just walk.”
Just as Durham appreciates a proper workout and quality equipment, she also values the tools used in her clinical exams. Above all else, the ultrasound proved to be vital for her evaluation, she said.
“The doctors could tell there was something there but they didn’t know exactly what it was,” Durham said. “The ultrasound helped pinpoint the cancer and helped the doctors see if I needed a biopsy. The ultrasound helped them get to the location. It made it clearer to see.”
Quality ultrasounds are among the reasons The Rose depends on support from the community.
“With the thousands of women we see annually, our equipment carries quite a load,” notes Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “We are now in need of a new machine and that is only going to be possible because of the generosity of our supporters.”
The need is so great that The Rose board determined to use all the proceeds from the July 13th 24thAnnual Shrimp Boil toward ultrasounds.
“’Quality, breast health care’ is not simply a slogan. It’s our commitment to clients like Cindy who depend on our breast health specialists and staff for premium services,” explained Gibbons. “We know exactly what it will take to continue that care, and we look forward to another great event this year and exceeding $100,000 in fundraising.”
The 24th Annual Shrimp Boil benefitting The Rose is set for Saturday, July 13, at the Pasadena Convention Center (7902 Fairmont Parkway Pasadena, TX). Music from The Slags, more than 80 auction baskets, and plates laden with “shrimp and all the fixin’s” are the highlights of the day. Tickets are available online now at www.TheRose.org.
