Faces + Places Bobbie Niehaus My Pink Navigator TOPS In Lex

13 Oct Faces + Places Bobbie Niehaus My Pink Navigator TOPS In Lex

“I had been thinking about running my own nonprofit to help others fighting breast cancer since my diagnosis,” Bobbie recalled. “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I found that there were so many resources and care items available out there that no one made me aware of, so I would research and a end conferences to learn about different resources and medical products.”

After being diagnosed with breast cancer at an early age, Bobbie said she dealt with self esteem and body image issues. She quickly realized that she wanted to inspire and empower patients to feel strong and beautiful during and after cancer treatment and surgery.

“Due to side effects after cancer treatments, we will provide chemotherapy and surgery bags that will be full of care items and resources that will help make treatment and/or surgery more comfortable and less stressful,” Bobbie said. “We will also provide beauty bags to help boost a patient’s self esteem and make them feel beautiful.”

As Bobbie explained, there are more than 20 breast cancer support groups located within Faye e and surrounding counties that My Pink Navigator can reach for support. “We want to educate patients and make them aware of services and resources available to them,” she said. “My Pink Navigator will offer patient navigation and sup- port, education, a mentorship program, an ambassador program called The Pink Coalition, assistance with any barriers to transportation and lodging, and chemotherapy, surgery, and beauty bags.”

You’re not alone in navigating the unknown

When Sherri Skoien was first diagnosed with breast cancer, she said she was scared, felt numb and feared the worst.

“I didn’t have a clue who to contact, what to ask, and feared that I was going to die. All of these thoughts ran through my mind,” she said. “I called a friend who put me in touch with Bobbie.”

As Sherri explained, she will never forget that phone call. Bobbie immediately calmed her down, answered her questions and provided Sherri with resources to help her through a very difficult time.

“Bobbie’s strength, determination, compassion and knowledge all helped me get through the worst time of my life,” Sherri said.

As Sherri explained, Bobbie was always available to answer any questions that would pop-up before or after Sherri met with her doctors.

“It was all so scary, but Bobbie helped prepare me for each appointment,” Sherri said. “I would recommend anyone newly diagnosed with breast cancer to contact Bobbie at My Pink Navigator. Bobbie changed my life for the better.”

No one fights alone

My Pink Navigator’s mission is to eliminate barriers, and provide organization in the lives of breast cancer patients through education and navigational support. My Pink Navigator will help navigate patients through their breast cancer journey and provide survivorship support.

“My Pink Navigator is closing the gaps to recovery,” Bobbie said. “We will inspire, empower and help breast cancer patients thrive.”

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as founder and executive director of My Pink Navigator, Bobbie is committed to educating others about breast cancer awareness. The reason Bobbie started My Pink Navigator is that she knows what breast cancer patients are going through and she wants them to know they are not alone.

“We want to make survivors aware of resources and care products that can make their fight easier or more comfortable,” Bobbie said. “I want survivors to know that I have been there and make them aware that ‘no one fights alone.’”

The month of October is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Women, especially those between the ages of 40 to 49, are encouraged to talk with their doctors about when to start getting mammograms, an X-ray screening that radiologists use to detect breast cancer. A good rule of thumb is to perform a self-examination at least once a month.

According to health.gov, about 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point and breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women.

“Whether a patient has just been diagnosed or is a survivor, it is important that they never give up hope and to stay positive. A attitude is everything,” said Bobbie. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”

by Sarah Boerkircher | Photos by Paul Atkinson