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News from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
UAMS Breast Cancer Patient
Experiences Spirit of Christmas
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19, 2002 | Sarah Richards, a breast cancer patient at the
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), stood
outside the Arkansas Cancer Research Center
(ACRC) Dec. 17 –
praising members of her health care team and graciously
thanking a local cancer support group for its generous gifts.
Each Christmas for the past few years, a
local chapter of the organization "Bosom Buddies"
has "adopted" an ACRC breast cancer patient and her
family and fulfilled their holiday wish list. Debby Dean, a
licensed clinical social worker in the ACRC Women’s Oncology
Clinic at UAMS, selected Richards for the support group’s
2002 "adoption."
Dean was on hand as Bosom Buddies
facilitator Patsy Thurman and her husband, Don, presented
Richards with several gift bags. The support group purchased
clothing and other requested items for Richards, her husband,
and their 14-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son.
Richards, 38, of Hughes, Ark., was diagnosed
with breast cancer Aug. 6. Suzanne Klimberg, M.D., director of
the UAMS Women’s Oncology Clinic, performed surgery
on Richards Aug. 16. Since then, Richards has undergone six
chemotherapy sessions and is scheduled to begin radiation
therapy – 33 chest treatments and 25 neck treatments – in
January.
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Patsy Thurman (right), a member of the Bosom Buddies
cancer support group at Baptist Health in Little Rock, and her
husband, Don, present Christmas gifts to Sarah Richards
(center), a breast cancer patient at UAMS. (Keith Moore) Click
on image for larger view.
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| "Dr.
Klimberg is No. 1," Richards said. "She’s tops! I
cried when she released me (from her care) for a year to have
chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Debby Dean has also been
great. She has been with me, lending support, from the very
beginning. I’ve met so many wonderful people at UAMS. They’re
like family. I would recommend this place to anybody."
Bosom Buddies is an American Cancer
Society-sponsored support group program for breast cancer
patients and survivors. There are several Bosom Buddies groups
in Arkansas.
Links on This Page
Arkansas Cancer Research Center:
http://www.acrc.uams.edu
ACRC Women’s Oncology Clinic: http://www.uams.edu/medcenter/special/WomOnc.asp
Cancer Center Will Do: http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/042502/komen.htm
UAMS/ACRC Team Leads in Race: http://www.uams.edu/today/2002/100902/race.htm
© 2002 University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS). A single copy of these
materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use
only. "UAMS," "UAMS Online," "UAMS
Today," "UAMS Update," "uams.edu,"
and "Here’s to Your Health" are marks of UAMS.
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08/08/03 |
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