Look out for an enlightening opportunity this coming Thursday, March 31st at 5:00pm when Bucknell’s chapter of The Women’s Network will feature Lauren Hughes, current Director of Development for Breastcancer.org. The Class of 2002 alumna will return to campus to speak with community members about her work with the nonprofit association, dedicated to guiding people through what can be very difficult bouts of breast cancer.
Each year, 42,000 women and 500 men on average die from breast cancer in the United States alone. Around six times those numbers are diagnosed with the life-altering if not –threatening illness. They are forced to suddenly reorganize their present and future around this unexpected obstacle. These statistics can be daunting to someone new to the experiences of talking with doctors, attending countless appointments, receiving sympathy from loved ones, and numerous other stressors associated with the label “cancer.”
Along with a team of around 25 individuals invested in the cause, Hughes is committed to clearly and reliably responding to patients’ questions, thus allowing them to make informed decisions about possible forms of treatment as well as the recovery process. With this as their mission statement, she is sure to bring a knowledgeable and understanding standpoint to students, faculty, and whoever else feels drawn to attend.
Nearby clinics will be invited to take part in the event, so if you are connected with anyone who might benefit from hearing Hughes’ perspective, feel free to spread the word! Even though it is no longer Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the topic has somewhat “gone out of style,” consider those who are forced to live with this reality each and every day. Organizations like Hughes’ are important vessels of support for folks suffering from severe illnesses.
While others often tend to exploit patients, Breastcancer.org is completely focused on making each individual journey as painless as possible. Their website is entirely user-friendly, presenting articles meant to reinvigorate hope through a variety of personal and educational stories. Life after Bucknell can include an incredible amount of joy and meaning. Come join the conversation with Lauren Hughes on Thursday to learn more about how she went about instilling positive change for others into her livelihood and how you can too!