American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Minnesota top volunteer Robianne Schultz had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to visit the Vice President's residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. for a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event.
Scroll below the pictures to read Robianne's first-hand account of her day with the Vice President. Photo 1: Myrna Rodriguez Previte and Robianne in front of the Vice President's residence (top left) Photo 2: Breast cancer survivors Myrna Rodriguez Previte, Carla Hill and Robianne by the pool outside the Vice President's residence (top right) Photo 3: Robianne speaking to other event guests with the Vice President's residence lit up in pink (bottom left) Photo 4: Myrna Rodriguez Previte and Robianne outside the gate of the Vice President's residence (bottom right) First-Hand: Robianne's Day with the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden
I am in the taxi heading down Embassy Row in our nation's capital and am feeling anxious and excited to be on my way to the Vice President's residence. I am with Molly Daniels, the deputy president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and I am thankful that she is with me to calm my nerves. We exit the taxi and proceed to the residence gate where we are let in and I embark on a truly wonderful night and a great experience. Soon after entering, I meet HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and Dr. Jill Biden. We exchange hellos with the two other breast cancer survivors and prepare for our nationwide conference call which will begin in a few moments. I am the last to go and I listen to the stories of the other survivors and the remarks by Dr. Biden and Secretary Sebelius. I then tell my story of how in 2001, I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 27 and have had two other reoccurrences, and am now facing another surgery in the upcoming weeks followed by more rounds of chemotherapy. I also talk about the importance of funding for cancer research, programs and services for patients and the continuation of the Affordable Care Act. This Act has brought many great changes to our health care industry and we need those policies to remain in place. I also mention the need for Quality of Life legislation that will help patients receive coordinated care from the moment they are diagnosed.
After the call, we gathered for some photos and then Dr. Biden graciously offers to give us a tour of her lovely home. We see the wonderful artwork and furniture that they have picked from the National Archive museum and it is beautiful. We then are escorted out to the pool area for the reception and talk with other breast cancer survivors and guests. Next, we head back into the house to the foyer where Vice President Biden will speak to us. I am surrounded by survivors, friends of the Bidens from Delaware and others. Notably, Andrea Mitchell, Kate Edwards, daughter of Elizabeth Edwards, Cokie Roberts, Dr. Thomas Frieden, the director of the CDC and our ACS CAN President, Chris Hansen. Soon Vice President Biden is coming down the stairs; he is relaxed and inviting in his remarks and mentions that they are continuing the fight to increase funding for cancer research. After he is done speaking, Dr. Jill Biden addresses us and mentions our conference call from earlier in the evening. Then she introduces us all to the rest of the guests. How crazy to have Dr. Biden introducing me to a room full of guests! Both Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden are both so caring. It's clear from their kind words and actions that breast cancer initiatives are an important focus for them. After they speak, we are then told that we will be able to have our picture taken with the Bidens and we excitedly get in line. When I am called up, the Vice President gives me a hug and wishes me well in my upcoming treatments and I thank them for having the reception to honor survivors. They are once again warm and inviting and you can tell that they truly care about beating this disease. We end the night and I am thrilled it went so well. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network continues to work so hard for survivors and their families and helped to make this trip possible for me. I am so thankful for this opportunity and will remember it fondly.
After months of delay and hard negotiations, Congress has finally passed a funding bill! The bill includes a small increase for cancer research and prevention programs.
