When you’re in business, you often roll with the punches. If employees call in sick, you cover their shifts. When inventory doesn’t arrive, you hustle to find another source. Time overruns on a job? You tighten up and meet the deadline. Life is like that too, only the stakes are higher when you are dealing with a life-threatening disease.
Whitney O’Connor didn’t plan to get breast cancer six weeks after she got married and one week after celebrating her 30th birthday. She also didn’t plan a diagnosis of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome, a genetic disorder that predisposes her to cancer. This means she will have to constantly be screened for cancer and be prepared for any battle that may come her way. How’s that for a big gut punch in the business of living?
“I was working at Aiken Regional’s Aurora Pavilion Behavioral Health as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). After my diagnosis and consultations with a surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist, I was in ‘go mode’ and just wanted to take care of it,” O’Connor explained.
Like in business, life isn’t always easy. Three years later, she was diagnosed again with breast cancer. She has since learned through research, with the help of her supportive husband, Chace, an attorney and partner with the Hawk Law Group in Augusta, there is a family history, and that her cancer is genetic.
Routine scans and doctor appointments are now a part of her life. She is raising awareness for the breast cancer journey through the Boobie Queen Company, a 501c3 she created.
“I was always the girl with the big chest in high school. After I was diagnosed, I participated in a walk for a Susan Komen breast cancer fundraising walk. I wore a crown made of a decorated bra. After that, I became the Boobie Queen and that was the beginning of my nonprofit.”
Since then, O’Connor has been invited to speak at the University of Georgia, USC Aiken, and Duke University among other engagements.
“For me, it’s a conversation that makes a difference. It’s a win-win and everybody in the audience has their burden but we can all relate to each other in our breast cancer journey.”
O’Connor’s breast cancer experience led her to connect with online groups across the country. It helped her listen to the needs of others struggling with the diagnosis and how she might best help them. One of the answers was lifting other survivors or those amid treatment.
She raised money through her Boobie Queens nonprofit as a one-on-one. You buy a crown that allows another survivor to get a crown. The response from breast cancer patients and survivors has been phenomenal. The fundraisers have included a golf tournament called Birdies for Boobies and most recently her mother’s sewing club is auctioning a bra quilt to raise money for the cause.
“I also raised the money to create a retreat for survivors called Breastrest. Held in Jackson, Georgia, the retreat offered a facial, massage, and most importantly a message and a chance to celebrate the journey. The first was held in March, the second in August, and our next retreat will be held in January for metastatic breast cancer survivors.”
The event attracted survivors from Utah, Florida, Maine, and Colorado, among other states. O’Connor’s goal is to provide these kinds of small group sessions in every city and each grows to provide a retreat, therapy, and communication among survivors.
“Breast cancer has taught me many lessons, to experience joy, sadness, and the reality of the situation but, most importantly, to learn to create your silver lining.”
For more information, if you are someone in your family or a coworker who is struggling with breast cancer and would like to support O’Connor’s mission, visit her website or Facebook.
Editor’s Note:
Mitzi Oxford is a veteran broadcaster and features writer who also worked at the same television station in Columbus, Georgia as Augusta’s Brad Means!
If you have a South Carolina story idea for Mitzi, please email her at mitzioxfordcreative@gmail.com.
