Fun Thing #1 – I’m Honored!
On Thursday, November 5, Mathis and I attended the American Cancer Society’s Legacy and Leadership Awards Ceremony in downtown Seattle. This annual ceremony honors local donors, volunteers, researchers, and community and corporate partners.
I’m so touched to be the recipient of the Gordy Klatt Impact Award. Rob Smith, the Editor in Chief at the Puget Sound Business Journal said the following words:
Dana Manciagli is a 3-time breast cancer survivor with a truly amazing story. She has done much work for the American Cancer Society this year, including sharing her story with the Seahawks and Sounders to increase awareness of breast health and “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Seattle.” Take a moment with me to learn more.
< Then they played the Seattle Seahawks video about my cancer story: http://www.seahawks.com/video/2015/10/27/beyond-decibels-danas-story>
I want to remember a remarkable man who was one-of-a-kind. Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt was founder of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life event and passed away on August 3rd, 2014 at the age of 71 from heart failure after battling stomach cancer.
He helped shape an idea that started off as one man running and walking a track, and turned it into a global phenomenon for saving lives in every corner of the world, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. The Dr. Gordy Klatt Impact Award honors the spirit he carried that one person can make an impact on the World.
This year we are proud to honor Seattle’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Survivor Ambassador, Dana Manciagli. Dana has an amazing story as we just saw in the video but more than that she inspires action. Dana has raised nearly $30,000 dollars for Relay for Life of Bellevue and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Seattle since 2014 and is the leader of Dana’s Gladiators which heads up 10 other teams also raising money for Strides.
Dana speaks to the power of American Cancer Society programs and services and the importance of early detection. She is a spokesperson, advocate, and leader for the entire organization. It is our honor to award Dana with the Dr. Gordy Klatt Impact Award. Sharing your story is saving lives, thank you.
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I was so happy Mathis was in town to join me at this wonderful event.
Mary-Claire King, PhD, discovered the BRCA1 gene; world-renown
Listening to the introduction
I was quite emotional after seeing Tracy up on the big screen during the video
Fun Thing #2 – Day Trip to San Francisco
My travel has been constrained due to stupid radiation every Monday-Friday for the last 6 ½ weeks. However, I took off this past Saturday and headed for San Francisco to visit Shane for the day. He picked me up at the airport and showed me so many gorgeous areas. We had a pig-out brunch, saw amazing views on a beautiful day, relaxed at his apartment in the city then grabbed a quick bite before I flew out. Lots of fun!
Mom and son in the sun!
Such a great kid (okay, a 27 year old kid)
Peaceful scenery, great walks
The Golden Gate bridge never ceases to amaze.
Shane took me to his favorite running places. We drove, of course.
Cancer Update
As of this writing, I have 1 more radiation treatment left; I’m done on Monday, November 16th. Radiation got progressively harder, and it was harsher than my radiation on the same side back in 2002, it was okay. A large area of skin and tissue is severely burned right now so I have quite a collection of topical treatments as well as pain meds.
Next treatment: I will start a pill regimen that I will continue the rest of my life to keep this cancer at bay. They are called aromatase inhibitors and mine will be anastrozole (Arimidex®). Anastrozole works by inhibiting the synthesis of estrogen and is an effective treatment for my stage IV “metastatic hormone-receptor-positive” breast cancer.
I will have my big scans at the end of January, 2016. Gulp.
Please keep the happy thoughts, fun time invitations, and prayers flowing! Each one of you is making a huge difference in my recovery and ongoing battle against this stupid cancer.
Off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico next week with Shane, Chad, Milo, Mathis and Mom (Ilse) for a great Thanksgiving week. We have so much to be thankful for, we’ll remember good times with Tracy, and we’ll celebrate many things!
Love and hugs,
Dana
Dana's Cancer Conquest 
What a journey! Congratulations on your award, it is so well deserved. Have fun in the sun with your family. One of the things we will be expressing gratitude for at our Thanksgiving table is for your presence in my life–your spirit, energy, bravery and love. All the Best! from the Hedricks
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So glad that I can be part of your adventures! Love your photos and updates – give all those handsome guys a hug and a big one for Ilse! Safe travels!
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Dana, I not only love you because you are my niece. I love you for the wonderful person you are. My brother would be soooo proud of you.
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Wonderful…you look so happy on stage!
Love
Mom
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So glad to hear the radiation is almost over! I am happy to hear that you will be going to Mexico for Thanksgiving and sharing the holiday with Isle and the incredible boys. You’re a brave inspiring example for all of us! Love to you.XOEileen From: Dana’s Cancer Conquest To: eileenausten@rocketmail.com Sent: Friday, November 13, 2015 1:29 PM Subject: [New post] Fun Things and Cancer Update #yiv0432852963 a:hover {color:red;}#yiv0432852963 a {text-decoration:none;color:#0088cc;}#yiv0432852963 a.yiv0432852963primaryactionlink:link, #yiv0432852963 a.yiv0432852963primaryactionlink:visited {background-color:#2585B2;color:#fff;}#yiv0432852963 a.yiv0432852963primaryactionlink:hover, #yiv0432852963 a.yiv0432852963primaryactionlink:active {background-color:#11729E;color:#fff;}#yiv0432852963 WordPress.com | dmanciagli posted: “Fun Thing #1 – I’m Honored! On Thursday, November 5, Mathis and I attended the American Cancer Society’s Legacy and Leadership Awards Ceremony in downtown Seattle. This annual ceremony honors local donors, volunteers, researchers, and community and corp” | |
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Tracy, My heartfelt congratulations for this amazing Honor, you are a true warrior and a fighter. I knew this the first afternoon I babysat for you and your sisters almost 50 years ago! Tracy is smiling down on You and is so proud of your continued fight to kick the Cancers Ass in her honor! You two remain the twin towers of strength!!! All my love to you darling Dana. Deb Papalexis Phelps 💜💜💜
Sent from my iPhone
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Dearest, durable, determined, darling Dana! I had to pause halfway through reading your latest blog post to really take in all that is happening in, around and through you. I’m overwhelmed, as a friend and loving observer of your life, so I struggle to imagine what it must be like as your own personal experience! Truly, Dana, I cannot think of a more fitting honor for you than to be awarded the Gordy Klatt Impact Award. He certainly created a global phenomenon, and YOU are doing that, too! ONE MORE RADIATION TREATMENT on Monday!!!!! Please know that I deeply, gratefully and enthusiastically celebrate this HUGE milestone with you!!! After talking with you over lunch a couple of weeks ago, when you shared the details of your treatment and showed me the resulting burns, I am even more in awe of the strength that works in you (I believe it’s God’s strength)!!! Again, I struggle to imagine how terribly difficult this entire journey has been for you. I try, but I really can’t. Even so, I honor all of this journey with you — both the highs and the lows. I loved reading about your one-day whirlwind trip to SF to see Shane! It is clear to see how much he (and Chad, and Mathis, and your mom and countless others) love you! And now, you’re off to Puerto Vallarta next week!!! May you and your whole family have the time of your lives! I’ll reach out to get together with you in early December, once you are back from your trip. I will want to hear all about it! I continue praying and sending you the most beautiful and precious stones for your prayer necklace. The ones I’ve been praying for lately have been STRENGTH, HOPE and PEACE. Love, love, love to you!!! Lisa Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2015 21:29:41 +0000 To: lisa.burns@live.com
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Dana–Your “stupid” cancer is not as smart and clever as you and your healthcare team. You are already a 3-time survivor. Love you. Enjoy Mexico.
Kathleen and Bill
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