My mother, Barbara Hebert, died from breast cancer in May of 2002, after having battled the disease on and off for the previous ten years.  She was only 55 years old.  Her obituary listed her lifetime’s accomplishments; daughter, mother, grandmother, receiving her Masters in Early Childhood in 1997, co-founder of the Rainbow Connection Nursery School & Day Care Center, Girl Scout leader for 11 years, Director of the local day camp for 10 years, adjunct professor at local colleges, an advocate for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Though these might have been titles to label different roles she played during her short life, they didn’t define who she was.

A strong willed, determined, stubborn, go-get-‘em type of woman, with the temperament of the true red head that she was!  Who, according to a childhood friend, “was always quite forthright and said exactly what was on her mind, which put some people off, but that was their loss. She was kind, loving and had a generous spirit.” Those were her true accomplishments in life.  Adding to that was the fact that she never was one to enjoy being stagnant for too long.  She sought new endeavors in all aspects of her life, including when it came time to face her biggest challenge yet – her breast cancer.

Upon being diagnosed with the last recurrence, she made the decision to seek alternative therapy instead of the more traditional main stream forms of medical treatment.  Unfortunately, her insurance company was not as progressive in their thinking to financially accept her chosen course of action.  They would not cover any of the cost.  With arm loads of research she plunged forward on what was and is widely considered an unconventional path, fervently holding onto her beliefs of what was best for her.  She was seeking quality of life over quantity. From her previous experience with chemotherapy and the like, she felt that the better quality lied in this direction.  However, this left her with limited financial resources.

After time, as her body weight changed, so did the size of her existing breast. Her original prosthesis was heavy and made her feel “lopsided”.  With health expenditures exceeding her monthly income, the cost for a replacement prosthesis (again something not covered by insurance) would have a significant effect on what little she had.  Enter the Breast Form Fund.

At Gazebo one afternoon in 2001, she had a conversation with Judith.  It was during their talk that Judith told her about the Breast Form Fund, and how they raised money to help women with the cost of prosthesis’s.  The fund would cover the cost of a new prosthesis for her. I recall her being so moved by the kindness and generosity of strangers that she was experiencing.  After she died, I was reading though her Day Planner.  An entry for that day, March 22, 2001 reads, “Judith fitted me for a new prosthesis.  It’s great because it’s so light weight.  She charged me nothing – came out of a special fund she has.  Another angel.” 

Later that same year she attended the 3rd annual Show Us Your Bra Gala, and was even interviewed by a CNN correspondent that was covering the event.  After the gala, as she was emphatically describing to me all the entries, she said “Laura, you could do that!”  Having a creative side to me that I tap into occasionally, I entered my submission in her memory in 2005.  My “Boo-B’s” made the 2007 calendar for the month of October!  Knowing that in some small way I was contributing to this amazing organization that was helping other women like my mom was more gratifying than anything else. 

There are the occasional days when it’s hard not to be consumed with the self pity of my loss, “Why my mom?”  Or anger over what she’s missing out on, especially in the lives of her grandchildren.  Or jealousy when friends talk about what they just did or where they went with their mother.  It is at these times that I try to reflect on this. In ways that truly matter, my mother was more fortunate than most.  She left the world having received an irreplaceable gift, one that no amount of money could buy.  She experienced the kindness and generosity of strangers.  Her “Angles”, as she called them.

Barbara Hebert with her Grandchildren

My sentiments about what the Breast Form Fund did for my mother echo her last words of the CNN interview she did, “it was a wonderful gift that they gave me”. - Laura Yarbrough

"The Breast Form Fund lightened our load tremendously during an emotionally taxing time."

My daughter and son-in-love live abroad in the Dominican Republic serving as missionaries. I traveled there to care for my daughter after she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 26 years old. As you might imagine I was stunned beyond belief to receive the call that her biopsy had come back positive for breast cancer and a mastectomy was scheduled to be performed. My mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma a few months before my daughter. I lost my sister to cancer a few months ago. Her daughter lost her battle with cancer one year before. I have a younger sister’s whose breast cancer is in remission.

Jonelle Dennis' daughter Aniqua and her husband Andrew   I share this family history to help you to appreciate how happy I am to confirm how much the Breast Form Fund lightened our load tremendously during an emotionally taxing time. No doubt Emma and Judith and all of the wonderful women at Gazebo see it as all in a weeks work. But for me and my family the staffs loving assistance at Gazebo and the Breast Form Fund helped us all to get through this difficult time with ease and dignity. The personal assistant extended to my daughter and I was impressive because of its rarity. Emma, how could we possibly thank you enough for your thoughtfulness care and sensitivity that you bestowed upon my daughter as if she were your own. You kindly imparted so much love and dignity when measuring Aniqua for the proper size form. You truly tended to the whole person. Once again, thank you so much for all you have done for us and keep up the good work. Thank you is a small reward for your diligent work. One day soon we can look forward to the day when “no resident will say, I am sick.” Isaiah 33:24 Best of everything to all you courageous families as you battle this disease and to the Breast Form Fund for transforming many lives in a variety of ways gently, lovingly and with dignity. Sincerely, Jonelle Dennis