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An Atlanta native, I am a singer/songwriter, and own a company that specializes in event planning and other services for small businesses. Previously, I was Associate Director of the Alumni Association of Emory University, where I planned events for alumni across the country. I am a graduate of Emory University and have two children, ages 5 and 9. But inside this mild-mannered, suburban mom is a wild woman yearning to be free! My career history includes five years as a private investigator, and I was once the “chick singer” in the house band in a biker bar—and there my affection for Harleys grew. Out of that experience emerged one of my original songs, “I Hope There are Harleys in Heaven,” which I am proud to share as the official theme song of Changing Gears. I was 44 years old when I was discovered a lump in my left breast and was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2003. After two lumpectomies without clear margins, I made the decision to have a bilateral mastectomy, and after removing my right breast as a preventative measure, believing it to be healthy at the time, I discovered that it had cancer also! Boy, am I glad I got THAT off my chest! I chose not to have reconstruction, nor to wear prostheses. I am happy with my flat-chested look, and now I’m bravely braless—and loving it! Six rounds of chemotherapy followed my surgery. I lost all of my shoulder-length hair, once a youthful looking, store-bought “Light Ash Brown.” As it is growing back, I have decided to allow its natural salt-and-pepper gray to remain, a symbol of my hard-won wisdom and maturity. I am now in remission and ready to take a stand, scars and all, to show the world that breast cancer can be faced with courage, and that although we have much to celebrate, there is still a great deal of work to be done to find a cure and prevention. In the middle of my chemotherapy earlier this year, I met Megan Dwyer of Amazon Heart at the National Breast Cancer Coalition Annual Advocacy Training Conference in Washington, DC. I was inspired by her determination to turn her experience with breast cancer into an adventurous affair for herself and her fellow survivors, and decided to join the trip. I will not be riding one of the motorcycles, but will drive the equipment truck! After all, my guitar is in there!! It will be an honor to accompany such an awesome group of women on this journey. I know from experience that having a mammogram can take more courage than riding a Harley along the coast of California. By joining Changing Gears, I hope to encourage every woman to be bold—get regular mammograms and to do self-exams.
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