I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 11-15-2019.  Most cancer patients will tell you they never forget the date.  At my one and only support meeting, I was greeted with "Welcome to the club, Sorry you're here."  I am fortunate to be four years post surgery (3-23-2020 middle of Covid, hence no other support meetings), Radiation treatment (June-July 2020), and doing well.

In 85% of breast cancers, there is NO FAMILY HISTORY, like me.  The media focuses on BRCA1 and BRCA2.  I walk to educate people regarding the importance of routine mammograms, the large percentage of women and men with no family history of breast cancer and to support women and men of low income to get appropriate care.

Thank you to my healthcare team:  Dr. Steven Chen & Dr. James Chao (Oasis MD), Dr. Anne Wallace (UCSD) and Dr. Edna Flores (cCare).  I am also grateful to my family Jim & children, Siblings: Cindy, Paul, Linda and their spouses, co-workers and friends who have supported me during this journey.  KINDNESS MATTERS!  I shall always appreciate your kind acts.

Melanie Ann Brammer Kilgore

Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, Pediatric Audiologist & BC Survivor