When Jen Thiel heard the heartbreaking words, “You have breast cancer,” she had every reason to break down. She was only 39 years old. She had a young son and a husband at home. She knew how difficult a breast cancer journey could be.
But instead of letting fear take over, Jen resolved to stay positive.
“It is what it is. I knew I couldn’t change it. I could only change how it I let it impact me. If you let cancer define who you are, your outcome won’t be positive,” Jen said. “I had a really great medical team who I knew would fight for me when I couldn’t fight for myself.”
She made a vow to herself to remain strong.
“I wanted to be a warrior, not a survivor,” she said.
She is a warrior, indeed. And her journey to healing inspires us all.
A Journey to Hope
Jen’s road to remission was anything but easy, but thanks to expert care from the Edith Sanford Breast Center in Sioux Falls, where philanthropy powers lifesaving equipment, groundbreaking research and essential programs, she and her family never faced the journey alone.
“Cancer is terrifying and it takes away from so many things in life. But I’m not mad or angry. There were a lot of good moments — the people I met, seeing my son smile knowing his mom was saved, seeing my husband share my story to help others. I’m very grateful for my medical team — they did a phenomenal job and I wouldn’t be alive today without them. I’m grateful for the prayers. I’m a miracle.”
Sharing Her Story
Healthy and cancer-free, today Jen is sharing her breast cancer journey to raise awareness and inspire support for the Edith Sanford Breast Center — the place that, she said, saved her life.
“I’m grateful for everything I went through — it’s part of my journey. I’m just grateful I did it here,” she said.
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I wish donors could spend a day or a week at the Edith Sanford Cancer Center to see the different journeys people are on — so they could see personally how their money is helping patients. One small act of kindness goes so far.
Breast Cancer Survivor/Warrior
Give for Good
Today, breast cancer affects one in eight women, along with thousands of men each year. With your support, we can improve access to lifesaving screenings, accelerate advances in research and give meaningful strength and support to local patients fighting this devastating disease right now.
When you give to the Edith Sanford Breast Center through the Sanford Health Foundation, 100% of your donation will support:
- Services like Nurse Navigation, offering guidance and support from day one of a diagnosis
- Leading-edge equipment like 3D mammography machines, offering the most advanced early-detection technology
- Cutting-edge research and clinical trials
- Items that provide patient comfort and support
- Complimentary wigs and head coverings
- And so much more