I am a Brem Breast Imaging Fellow. I spend my days learning the most cutting-edge techniques in breast cancer diagnosis and understanding how to be a compassionate physician. Part of my role includes reaching out to communities by volunteering to support the Brem Foundation’s life-saving work. This year I had the privilege of doing so – but in an unconventional way – at the Washington Football Team’s annual breast cancer awareness game.
Part of this partnership included donating proceeds of Washington Football’s breast cancer t-shirt sales to support the Brem Foundation’s B-Fund, a fund that helps underinsured patients get critical diagnostic tests after an abnormal mammogram.
My volunteer experience while selling breast cancer awareness t-shirts at the Washington Football game was impactful – and one that I knew was going to further the Brem Foundation’s mission of maximizing every woman’s chances of finding early, curable breast cancer.
It was also uplifting. I am used to seeing the patient side of breast care. Here I saw that many people were willing to buy these t-shirts just because the proceeds were supporting breast cancer work. Many of these people were either breast cancer survivors themselves or had a family member who was a breast cancer survivor.
Along with teaching others about breast cancer I, myself, learned how to effectively attract people to this worthy cause. I volunteered with my husband and 13-year old daughter. Our booth was located at one of the main entrances to FedEx Field. Everyone who walked into that entrance was met with our pom-poms and breast cancer awareness signs. I volunteered for a total of four and a half hours, from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. We had to reach the stadium at 10:00 am. During that one-hour time frame, we set up our booth.
At 11:00 am the Washington Football Team fans rushed in to get their seats. The Washington Football Charitable Foundation staff gave us Washington Football breast awareness cancer t-shirts to wear. Wearing those t-shirts helped us show our customers how beautiful they looked. Being a part of the Brem Foundation made me proud to be wearing that t-shirt as it symbolized my support for breast cancer.
It opened my eyes to a side of breast cancer work that I do not see every day. I loved educating people about breast cancer. I felt blessed that my family was able to be a part of this mission with me. I never realized how rewarding volunteering for the Brem Foundation could be for me and my family. I encourage everyone – with kids or without – to consider volunteering for the Brem Foundation. It changed my life, and the lives of so many others, for the better.
Image Credit: Washington Football Charitable Foundation