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summer
2012
maskmatters.org
39
I was diagnosed with breast cancer
the first time in October 2006 at
the age of 39. I had a lumpectomy
and was going through mammosite
radiation treatment while celebrating
my daughter’s 2nd birthday.
I learned about HeAL though my
best friend’s mom, who had heard
Lauren Daniels, the founder of HeAL,
speak at a luncheon in early 2007. my
friend’s mom immediately thought of
me and put me in touch with Lauren.
Having the same type of cancer—and
daughters around the same age—
Lauren and I immediately connected
and I felt I found someone who truly
“got” what I was going through.
my family and I went to
events at the HeALing House
and participated in different
outreach programs, including the
adopt-a-family holiday program,
the back-to-school backpacks for kids program and the food pantry.
even our husbands connected, especially over the barbecue.
A year and one month later, I was diagnosed again with breast
cancer. This time, I had a double mastectomy. As I got better, I realized
I wanted to give back. I wanted to give back to HeAL. I just didn’t
want to make a donation, though. I wanted to give back because
my family and I had gotten so much support from them. I started
volunteering at house events, the HeAL Ball and the Fairytale Tea.
The first tea I attended was as a guest of my best friend’s mom.
Back then, it was a small event with picnic tables in the back yard
of the HeALing house. Today, the event has grown to host about
250 guests at the scottsdale Plaza resort’s Grand Ballroom.
After a year of volunteering, Lauren asked me to chair the silent auction
for the HeAL Ball, which led her to request the HeAL board of directors to
offer me a seat. In 2010, Lauren asked me to become a board member.
HeAL was an important part of my recovery, but has now become
an important part of my life. I’m continually inspired not only by Lauren
and the wonderful women and men who keep the organization going,
but also by the amazing and strong women we help everyday.
The common bonds we HeAL moms share is cancer, but unfortunately,
that’s where the commonality ends. A lot of the moms who come to HeAL
don’t have a support system. Lauren and I had family and friends who
rallied around us, supporting us in every way, from cooking and cleaning, to
keeping the kids occupied when we needed some quiet time to ourselves.
For women who don’t have that support system, the HeALing
House is their outlet. It’s a place they can just show up and do some
arts and crafts, relax in solitude, or simply find a shoulder to lean on.
Today, I’m four years cancer free. And even though I’ve gone back to work,
I plan on continuing my work with HeAL. It’s amazing to see what’s been
accomplished so far and even more exciting to anticipate what lies ahead.
In Her Own wOrDS
Heal’
s
MicHelle Preston sHares
Her “HaPPily ever after” story
38
maskmatters.org
summer
2012
PhotograPhy
Tina Greggo; courtesy of Michelle Preston
moms making
a difference
engage
Happily
Ever After
story // michelle Jacoby
F
or many women, breast cancer is a devastating diagnosis. But for
Lauren Daniels, it was the path that led her to her life’s work.
In 2003, at the age of 35, Lauren was diagnosed
with early-stage breast cancer. After watching her mother
and aunt survive the disease, she knew to stay aware and
keep on top of her health. But when she was diagnosed,
especially at an early age, it shook her to her core.
“It changes every fiber of your being,” Lauren says.
At that time, Lauren not only had to deal with the gravity
of her diagnosis, but she had to do it while caring for her three
children, who ranged in age from 1 to 11. Fortunately, she had
the unwavering support of her husband, family and friends
while undergoing treatment and surgeries that included a
bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction and a hysterectomy.
Despite all that she had been through, Lauren considered herself
extremely lucky. She knew the support she had wasn’t the case for other
women dealing with cancer, many of whom are single moms with
little or no family support, as well as limited incomes and resources.
Inspired by these women, Lauren founded the Happily Ever
After League, also known as HEAL, just six months after her