Mary Ann Wasil Nilan

Q. Tell us a little about yourself and your lifestyle.

A. My name is Mary Ann Wasil Nilan and although my moniker is long, it's pretty simple and terribly straightforward - Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, Mother of Three Teens, Five Year Breast Cancer Kickin' Survivor, Health Activist, Executive Director & Founder of The Get In Touch Foundation! Not a lot of "style" - but most definitely my "life!" I'm busy - kids, living, changing the world - who isn't?!

Q. Describe how you found your cancer, were you on 'watch' or did it sneak up on you?

A. Ahhhh...I was not your run-of-the-mill "monthly BSE kind-of-a-gal." You see, I checked my breasts often. Before my period, during my period, after my period. I knew what my breasts felt like after I drank a pot of coffee or scarfed down a hot-fudge-sundae. So, needless to say, when I felt that teeny-tiny-tiny-teeny-weeny little lump...I knew it wasn't typical - for ME.

Q. Following diagnosis, what helped you cope the most, and gave you strength?

A. I'm a faithful and faith-filled gal. I have always found my strength in God's love, but when this happened, well, it was even more intense. I found God's love in my family, my friends, in complete strangers. One scripture quote became my mantra - my buddy Saint Paul wrote a letter a couple thousand years ago to the people of Corinth who were in need of some heavy-duty direction and encouragement. He told them, "For when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong." WOW!!! That was it for me. A friend actually wrote the entire quote out for me and when I got into bed each night I would read it and focus on the word "strong" - then I would close my eyes for the night. That word was the last word I saw - and it was almost hypnotic for me in the way it led me to rest and strength all at once. I still do it. Every night.

Q. How has breast cancer changed your outlook on life?

A. I have always been a happy person, always loved life and people and new experiences! I think cancer in general makes you a bigger version of the "self" you already are. I'm all of the things I was before - only bigger and better - a super-charged-super-alive Mary Ann!

A funny for you...I went on a pilgrimage to Turkey a few months after finishing my treatment and spent fifteen days on a bus touring this amazing place. I purchased a small purse on one of our stops and two hours later when we stopped again, I was using the purse already when one of my fellow travelers commented that I had just bought the purse and she couldn't believe I was "already using it!"

I told her that since I had nearly died "nine times" (a bit of an exaggeration!) last year, why on earth would I buy a purse and wait to use it?! I'll never have a drawer filled with nightgowns wrapped in tissue paper waiting for the perfect time to wear them. Heck, I may just put one on and mow the lawn!

Q. What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed with breast cancer?

A. Well, since I am the Founder of the grassroots non-profit Get In Touch Foundation, I always encourage gals to "get in touch with their bodies, information and each other" - and direct them to our website - www.GetInTouchFoundation.org - where they can find all sorts of helpful resources, forums and videos.

I actually came up with the idea for Get In Touch early in my diagnosis, when I knew it wouldn't be enough for me to get well for myself only. After doing some research on programs available for young girls regarding breast self exam and education and finding nothing, I decided to develop a program specifically for girls in grades 5-12 that would teach them the importance of, and how to do a breast self exam - for life.

I created the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel, which has "8 Tips for 8 Straight Years" and is taught annually in school by their health educator, oftentimes their school nurse. This tool supports the already wonderful work that health educators are doing and introduces BSE to girls early to encourage breast health practice as routine, habit - BSE like BYT. Breast Self Exam like Brushing Your Teeth!

We even have an instructional video on our website that can be shown to the girls in school, or for the girls to go to at home if they want a little reinforcement.

The best part? We provide the Daisy Wheels to schools at NO COST - that's right, FREE! We're available in Connecticut schools in 2009, New England schools in 2010 and nationally - heck, globally! - in 2011. If we're not in the schools in your community, we will be soon!

Q. How has The Breast Cancer Research Foundation been helpful to you?

A. How could I possibly begin to articulate the importance of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation in my life?! Providing funding necessary for cancer research and the fact that I have been on the receiving end of the most technologically advanced medical care available - well, Mrs. Lauder has done more for women, inside AND out, than just about anyone on the planet.

Helpful? That words seems almost trite to describe the reality. Perhaps that question should be asked of my three children...they have a laundry list of ways in which that helpfulness has impacted their lives. I am alive today to be the mother to them that they need because of that helpfulness.

Thanks to BCRF and their commitment to research and a cure, I am Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, Mother of Three Teens, Five Year Breast Cancer Kickin' Survivor, Health Activist, Executive Director & Founder of The Get In Touch Foundation. Amen. Hope Lives!