Sabine Hairabedian was diagnosed in 2014 at the age of 41 with high grade DCIS. She had two lumpectomies that were unsuccessful. She then opted for a double mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using breast implants. Sabine feels lucky that her diagnosis did not require any additional treatments or medications. Her twin boys who were six at the time, were the reason for her to fight and get better fast. They also kept her busy and focused on routine, which is really helpful to avoid overthinking a cancer situation. She says her support team, consisting of her family, friends, doctors and an amazing group of volunteers at MWCABC (Manhasset Women’s Coalition Against Breast Cancer), were her network of angels and helped her get through her cancer diagnosis. Serving as Co-Chair for the Outreach Program at MWCABC, Sabine feels privileged to have the opportunity to work closely with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program team. Sabine’s one piece of advice for others navigating a breast cancer diagnosis is to take one day at a time.

Tim Hott was diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 71 with Advanced Stage 3a Breast Cancer. He had a mastectomy to surgically remove his breast and roughly half of his lymph nodes in his left arm pit. Following surgery, he faced five months of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiation therapy. Tim called the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program for support. He spoke with a hotline volunteer and appreciated the listening ear and coping strategies he was provided. Tim later decided to take our training and is now a volunteer with the program. He provides support to others navigating their own breast cancer diagnosis. Tim also provides outreach at community events, helping to raise awareness for male breast cancer. Tim runs an adult recreational baseball league that holds a spring tournament with Male Breast Cancer Awareness as its theme and fundraising objective. Tim, a married father of three, says his faith, wife and children provided emotional support and comfort, helping him get through his cancer diagnosis. Tim’s one piece of advice for others navigating a breast cancer diagnosis is, if you see or feel something that doesn’t look right, have it looked at. Don’t die of embarrassment.

Tanya D. Crawford was diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 52 with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. She had six months of IV chemotherapy, four months of immunotherapy, a double mastectomy with DIEP flap reconstruction, 27 sessions of radiation therapy and eight months of oral chemotherapy. Tanya utilized services offered by the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program and now volunteers with the program, covering some hotline shifts. She provides support to people navigating their own breast cancer diagnosis or the diagnosis of a family member. Tanya also tables at community events and has accompanied the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program staff to Albany lobbying for their reinstatement in the NY state budget. She says faith and her support team consisting of her children, mother, sisterhood of three girlfriends and a few of her closest friends helped her get through her cancer diagnosis. Tanya’s one piece of advice for others navigating a breast cancer diagnosis is to never lose hope, accept help and lean on whatever or whomever your higher power is.