We are proud to say that we are governed by an
ALL VOLUNTEER, ALL BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR Board of Directors!
Linda Breckingridge (President & Business / Policy Manager) - Linda is a nine year survivor who joined Hope Afloat in 2002, which was before we even had a boat to put in the water! She has worked in the insurance industry since the 70’s and has been a claim supervisor/manager since the late 80’s. Linda has attended every Race for the Cure since her diagnosis. In 1997, Linda struggled to even finish walking the race course, since her treatment had just finished the month before, and in 2004, Linda ran the race! She was selected as the Survivor Chair for the Medford, NJ ACS Relay for Life in 2002, serving in that capacity for two years, and has participated in volunteer work for Strides against Breast Cancer, MS, Habitat for Humanity and Philadelphia Cares. Linda started doing “boot camp” style outdoor exercise in 2002, enjoys yoga and has attended several weekend seminars to “Become an Outdoor Woman”. She has an adventurous spirit and has even braved tandem skydiving. Linda enjoys being around other strong women such as she finds in Hope Afloat, since that only makes her stronger. She has been asked by some friends, why do you do all that exercise, aren’t you afraid of hurting yourself? The answer is simple-“because I can.” Linda, fondly known by the team as “Tow Queen,” has a tremendous love of the outdoors and camping where she learned the skills to tow a 24 foot travel trailer, skills which Linda has readily utilized to tow our dragonboat.
Phoebe Wood (Treasurer) – Phoebe’s guiding principle has long been that for every negative there is a positive. You just have to find it. If breast cancer in 1999 was the negative, finding Hope Afloat in 2004 was the positive. Phoebe has run her own business, Framers' Workroom frame shops in Jenkintown and Washington, D.C., for 30 years, and she has been an active volunteer in her University City neighborhood for just as long. She helped start and was on the board of a local farmers market; she was president of her condominium association, and she was a founding member of her community association. Now, she is delighted to put her experience and enthusiasm to work for Hope Afloat. As a traveler, Phoebe has always enjoyed the exotic. She finds places like Afghanistan, India, Nepal and Armenia more enticing than London, Rome and Paris. Theater, ballet and annual vacations in the Adirondacks are other favorite pleasures she shares with her longtime companion, Steve. But not much has been more exciting or rewarding than paddling as part of a team of extraordinary women to gold in Vancouver.
Sheila McElwee Witmer (Secretary & Fundraising)- I was 41 in the spring of 2004 when a lump was found in my breast a week before I was scheduled to have my first routine mammogram (my baseline film, done when I was 37 was clean). After several exciting medical procedures I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was given the choice of a mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation. I chose lumpectomy plus radiation. I had my lumpectomy which showed Stage 3a Invasive Ductal Carcinoma and also had axillary node dissection of about 22 lymph nodes, about half of which were positive, removed. After healing from the surgery I started on 4 months of chemotherapy which consisted of 4 AC treatments given two weeks apart followed by 4 Taxol treatments two weeks apart. Once the chemotherapy was finished I had about 39 radiation treatments finishing the day of my 10th wedding anniversary and a week before my 42nd birthday.
I have always been the "jock" in my family. I grew up in Havertown, Pennsylvania playing softball, lacrosse, and field hockey in grade, junior, and senior high schools. I also participated on my junior and senior high school gymnastic teams. I attended Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pennsylvania, which is near Hershey, playing Varsity lacrosse and field hockey and graduating with a degree in Biology. After college I continued to play lacrosse and field hockey on club teams in the Delaware Valley area. After my second knee surgery, I decided to take my orthopedist's advice and find sports that were kinder to my knees. So I started golfing and biking both of which were very tame after a life of lacrosse and field hockey.
I found Hope Afloat USA at a Philadelphia 3-Day Walk reunion in 2006. I actually already knew what dragon boating was having paddled in the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival in the fall of 2005. Finally, here was an exciting team sport I could once again take part in that was knee friendly and teammates that could understand my baggage. I joined up and never looked back.
I have worked as a research technician for over 21 years now, the last 7 years at Merck & Co., Inc. at Merck's West Point, Pennsylvania site. I am married (my husband is also a Merck research technician at West Point) and have a cat, Ralph. The women, and men, of Hope Afloat USA are a wonderful bunch who have made my world a little bit brighter.
Kathy King (Vice-President & Webstress) - In May of 2002, my gynecologist found a lump on my left breast; during my yearly check-up. I credit him with saving my life.
I was 43 years young and the mother of two daughters. At the time, Jennifer was a sophomore in college and Kelly was a senior in high school.
In June, I had a lumpectomy, which determined that my tumor was 1.7 in size and it was malignant. In August, I had a second lumpectomy and a sentinel node biopsy, which showed that the cancer cells had not spread.
In September I began 71/2 weeks of radiation and on November 1st; I had my first chemo treatment. The loss of my hair was hard to deal with at first but I soon became comfortable with my wig. The support of my family and friends was over whelming. They were constantly sending me cards, gifts, and casseroles. I learned what the meaning of a true friend was.
After my treatments were finished I started taking Tamoxifen and currently am on Aromasin.
When my treatments were over, I found it difficult to adjust to my life after cancer.
In June of 2003, I joined the Pink Ribbon Poetry Group. They are a supportive, wonderful, group of women who helped deal with their feelings about cancer thru words. They were there for me during a very difficult time. We often perform our poetry for other groups in our “Open Mic” presentations.
After my cancer experience; my marriage of 24 years was falling apart.
The strain of this dreaded disease took its toll on our family.
I found myself dealing with a separation, selling of a house, moving, and apartment hunting. I could feel myself starting to become depressed.
I was overwhelmed with all of the changes life had thrown at me.
I had heard about Hope Afloat from a friend of our poetry group.
I went to a team meeting in March of 2006 and the rest is history.
Joining this team was the best decision of my life!
I had competed in several races and won medals.
I have met amazing, inspiring women.
The welcoming nature that surrounds this team is indescribable.
I am happy to be getting back into good shape again.
It has had a positive effect on my mental attitude too.
My daughter Jennifer is now 24 and works as graphic designer for a fragrance house near Princeton. She is a talented, beautiful young artist who inspires me with her energy and ideas. I am so proud of her and all of her accomplishments.
My youngest daughter, Kelly lives with me in our new apartment and makes a great roomie. She works in Philadelphia as a continuity director for WOGL. Kelly has the brightest smile you have ever seen and was my caretaker when I was going thru treatment. She is an amazing girl who I admire for her strength & her positive attitude.
I have been thru many changes due to my breast cancer diagnosis. However, breast cancer was the best thing that ever happened to me. It opened my eyes and forced me to find an inner strength I never knew I had. It showed me how blessed I was to have such wonderful, supportive friends. It also made me realize that I only get one chance to live life to the fullest!