I’m Mike, I was born in January 1968 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. I was diagnosed at the age of 39 and had no family history. I was BRCA 1 and 2 negative. My father graduated from the US Naval Academy and served his commission in the USMC. I was conceived shortly after my parents arrived on base. I was diagnosed with breast cancer on my 18th wedding anniversary. The photograph I am holding was taken on the day I was born. Note the half full glass of water and formula bottle at the lower left corner of the photo. That water provided to the base hospital was highly contaminated with PCE, TCE, benzene and vinyl chloride. I was nowhere safe, not even in my mother’s arms. Perhaps the greatest fear any young mother would face is that she did something during her pregnancy that would harm her child. I saw this terror in my mother’s eyes after we found out about the Camp Lejeune drinking water contamination. This cluster of men with breast cancer from Camp Lejeune is our warning… we are affecting our environment and it is affecting us. What are we doing to our children?

My name is Jimmy; I live in the Detroit area. I was diagnosed with invasive ductile carcinoma in my right breast in 1998 at age 52. In 2000 the cancer spread to my C spine and I broke my neck in two places. My doctor told me statistically I would have one to two years to live. I have learned to live every day like it was my last. My message to the polluters is… WE Matter. My life and my family’s life are worth more than your profits. My mission is to see they pay a high price for knowingly exposing us to known carcinogens and probably carcinogens. I still live and breathe our motto, Semper Fi (Always Faithful). It seems it stopped on your end when I left the main gate for the last time. The truth and your documents are on our side, and someday you’ll wonder… was it worth it? I’ve outlived my death sentence by almost a decade, and I’m not dying anything soon. I am on a mission.

I’m Teddy. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and was diagnosed at 56 with breast cancer. I had no family history. Being diagnosed with breast cancer was very dramatic and scary. Not knowing of what is going to happen while going through five years of treatment isn’t easy. The medication has caused me to have mood swings, hot flashes, and have trouble with intimacy. I returned from Vietnam in January 1971 and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC. I was medically discharged from the Marine Corps in April 1972, at which time I started dealing with Agent Orange which the government denied. 34 years later I was diagnosed with breast cancer from exposed to chemicals in the drinking water at the base. The government is denying this too. I hope that I don’t have to wait another 30 years for the government to face responsibility like they did with Agent Orange. They have to be held responsible for the neglect of human life. Some people have to be held responsible for the neglect of human life. Some people have died from the effects of this exposure I’m blessed to be alive. Thanks to God. I’ve learned to understand what women mean about hot flashes and mood swings. I have learned to try and help other men to be aware of male breast cancer and not to think of it as only a female disease. I have learned that men and women have the same tissues in the breast are and that both produce estrogen but females produce it on a larger scale. I have learned to enjoy life every day. I would like to thank Art because Breast Cancer Foundation for allowing me to tell my story.

Camp Legune Marines

I’m Pete. I was born in Somerville, Massachusetts and was diagnosed with breast cancer at 45. I was then diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer at 47. I have no family history and was BRCA 1 and 2 negative. Breast cancer made me so appreciative of every day I have with my family. I am committed to finding the reason for my male breast cancer. I have learned to live your best life, and cherish my family and friends.

I’m Pattilee. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island and I was 47 years old at the time of my diagnosis. We had no family history of breast cancer until my diagnosis. After my diagnosis, two surgeries and treatment, I realized that to truly heal I need to confront this disease and do my part to help find the cause and a cure. By joining with a team for the last three year, we have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars by participating in the Boston 3 Day Walk. The time spent at the 3 Day had shown me new levels of courage, inner strength and conviction. I am a survivor because of the unending love and support of my family and friends.

My name is Lois. I was born in Malden, Massachusetts and was only 48 years old at the time of my diagnosis with Breast Cancer. I did not have any family history of the disease. Breast Cancer woke me up to the things good in life. It made me appreciate and live for every day. Breast Cancer is a disease that anyone can get— no one is immune to it. No family history required!

My name is Venatia. I was born in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and I was 46 years old at the time of my diagnosis. My family has endured its share of cancer: my mother’s oldest and youngest sisters both had breast cancer, my mother and another older sister had lung cancer, my father had colon cancer, and my maternal cousin had ovarian cancer. Although I had never experienced such an extreme degree of personal fear, pain, anger, and anxiety in my life, I did learn from my breast cancer and BRCA-II diagnosis. I learned that I am Strong, Humane, Beautiful, Hopeful, and Deserving Woman! Cancer was my diagnosis, it is not who I am, nor was it my death sentence. Therefore, I view and live each day and all that comes with it, as a generous gift for me to experience, learn from, grow from, and celebrate!

I’m Marci. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and I was 33 years old at the time of my diagnosis. There was no family history of breast cancer until then. This experience has taught me to be more patient and realize what is important in life. As cliché as it is, I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff. Throughout my journey I’ve been able to bring humor in a difficult situation. I also continue to help others who are new to going through this experience.

I’m Nikki. I was born in Dallas, Texas and I was only 34 years old at the time of my diagnosis/ we have BRCA2 (breast cancer type 2) in my family. Having breast cancer has taught me to go with the flow and adapt with change. It is my hope that other young women are educated as well.

My name is Nichole and I was born in Providence, Rhode Island. I was diagnosed at the age of 36 and until that time, there was no family history. Since I was pregnant when I got diagnosed, it made the pregnancy journey more interesting and trying.

These are the Dimmock Health Center Women...

I am Cynthia. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts. I was 33 years old at the time of my diagnosis. There is no family history. Being young and with no family history. I know that if I got breast cancer, anyone can get it. Being with this disease and being in the Army, I also know anyone can survive this. You need to have faith, support, hope, and love. You must maintain a good diet, exercise, and stay mentally and spiritually strong.

I’m Adreenne. I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana and I was 44 years old at the time of my diagnosis. There is breast cancer on my father’s side (all four aunts had breast cancer). Having been diagnosed with cancer made me look at life differently. I found myself wanting to help other women of color to help get through the experience, letting them know that they are not alone.

I’m Carolyn. I was born in Melrose, Massachusetts and was diagnosed at age 36. I have one sister with DCIS diagnosed in her early forty’s w/ BRCA2 gene. Having breast cancer brought a new and lasting sense of fear and anxiety about the future but also proved to me how strong I really was. It changes everything about you, between the surgeries, the reconstruction, the treatments and medications… By the end, you are having trouble knowing yourself and your own body.

I am Christine. I was born in Athens, Greece and I was 39 years old at the time of my diagnosis. There is no cancer in my family; I was the first to be diagnosed. My experience made me realize how strong I am. I never realized how much people care. I never realized how truly blessed I am. We must fight every day to protect our daughter, sisters, mothers, aunts, and friends.

I’m Beatrice. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and I was 77 at the time of my diagnosis. I have no family history of breast cancer. Breast cancer hasn’t changed my life because I accepted it – it is part of who you are. It made me think of other friends who have gone through breast cancer and I have great sympathy for them. I am booster to other women to help them get through treatment.

I’m Michelle from Boston Massachusetts. I was forty years old at the time of my diagnosis. I am an African American Woman, single parent, with three children, ages twenty one, thirteen, and ten years old. I had no history of breast cancer in my immediate family; therefore to hear that I was being attacked with breast cancer was totally shocking. What changed my life: Since this invasive experience I have been unable to hold a full time job because I am limited in the things that I can do. However, my new outlook on life is to maintain a healthy diet, exercise, and enjoy life to the fullest daily. My family was one of my strongest support networks. It is very important for you to have good support, be faith based, to help combat the illness. My faith strongly believes that GOD would heal my body and he did.

I’m Kathy. I was born in Boston, Massachusetts and I was 53 years old at the time of my diagnosis. My mother was also diagnosed with cancer at age 76. Having breast cancer has changed everything for me. The work that is being done by Art because Breast Cancer Foundation has made me feel stronger.

I’m Bridget. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland and I was 21 years old at the time of my diagnosis. I have no family history of breast cancer but it has changed my life forever, in both good and bad ways. When I was diagnosed, I was already a passionate individual, but breast cancer has focused my passion and given me the energy and desire to change the world. It has also allowed me to love furiously and completely.

I’m Liz. I was born here in the United States and was 43 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had no family history of breast cancer on either side for several generations. It never occurred to me to be worried that this disease would strike me. Breast Cancer provided me with a shift in perspective to live more in the moment; life is short- make it count.

My name is Kathleen. I was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and I was diagnosed at the age of 40. I had no family history. I am grateful for my family and love in my life.