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Local Woman Raising Awareness About Breast Cancer

When breast cancer took the life of Grandma Clouse, it left her granddaughter Jamie Hernandez with a desire to help.

Becky Rhoads Feature Writer   /  February 2, 2012  /  Views: 217  /   1 Comment

When breast cancer took the life of Grandma Patricia "Pat" Clouse, it left her granddaughter Jamie Hernandez, 30, of Casey, with a desire to help other women. Jamie Hernandez, wife of Guillermo "Bill "Hernandez, and mother of Corrina - 8, Olivia - 7, and Audriana - 3, were all from Marshall before moving to Casey.

Through the Susan G. Komen program, people are becoming aware of innovative research about breast cancer. There are educational, screening and treatment sources available through this program.

"Komen grants have played a part in virtually every major advancement in the fight against breast cancer over the past 30 years," Jamie explained. "Susan G. Komen programs help to make sure every woman gets mammograms and quality medical care, regardless of their financial situations."

"I learned from my grandma's experience that cancer is a horrible, ugly and mean disease," Hernandez said. "It can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, and gender."

She talked about her grandmother's daughter Janice McCormick, who passed away from cancer 25 years ago on August 10, the first day of the Chicago Walk this year.

"My best friend's mother, who is like an extra mother to me, is a breast cancer survivor," she said. "I have lost a very special "extra grandma," Ann Berry, to cancer also. They are part of the reason I want to raise awareness of this disease. Hopefully the Susan G. Komen program will one day find a cure."

Hernandez plans to raise the required $2,300 to participate in the walk. In the next few weeks, Hernandez will hold an Avon fundraiser.

Her first event is "McNight for Susan G. Komen" at the Casey McDonalds on Thursday, February 16, from 5 - 8 p.m. The second event will be "Bowling for Boobs" on Sunday, March 4, from 1 - 3 p.m.

Hernandez also has scheduled a wine tasting fundraiser at Castle Finn Winery on Friday, May 25, from 7 to 10 p.m. She plans to ask businesses for items to raffle. The band Lowe Tide will provide entertainment.

"Grandma Patricia 'Pat' Clouse was the strongest, prettiest and most wonderful person I know. She had a huge heart and was very faithful. Our family thought she was the world's best cook, and she had a wonderful sense of humor. Even when the pain from cancer was overwhelming, Pat Clouse kept her love and encouragement for her family - with a smile on her face," Hernandez said.

Clouse had a routine mammogram and was told she had a spot that needed watching but everything was ok. Later Grandma Clouse was told that she had diabetes and became determined to beat it without medication.

Hernandez stated, "She beat the diabetes naturally, with a strict diet. It was later that she ended up having a heart attack. Because of tests they ran, the doctors discovered she had kidney cancer, which was removed because it couldn't be treated."

Doctors then diagnosed her with bone cancer that couldn't be treated. They told the family that the breast cancer, not treated 11 years earlier, had actually caused the kidney and bone cancers in her body.

Grandma Pat Clouse lost her battle to cancer last August 23.

In her memory, Hernandez wants to make others aware of treatments and medical help available locally by promoting the Susan G. Komen fight against breast cancer.

More information is available on the Internet for the Susan G. Komen programs by searching for the original story about Komen and her fight against breast cancer.

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Stephen Hutchens

on February 6, 2012 at 09:00

Steve,This is one that ran in three of our Lincoln Trail Publishing papers this week. Thought you would enjoy it. Left your mom a copy of the Marshall Independent paper. Told her it was good that she taught me to type.Becky

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