In 1996, at age 43, Becky went back to school at Marylhurst University, while working a full-time job. Three months later she was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. It was a really tough time to get such a diagnosis. Her kids were young, her career was at its peak, and she finally realized her dream of returning to school to earn her degree in Communications. Her doctors gave her a 60% chance to survive past five years. She is so thankful they were wrong because it took her SEVEN years to graduate.
In 2000, while working full-time, Becky co-founded Breast Friends, an Oregon based organization dedicated to helping women survive the trauma of cancer. She continued to work full-time and spent her free-time supporting patients and building support for Breast Friends. She began speaking in 2001.
In June of 2005, one year after her second breast cancer diagnosis, she left her job as a sales manager and was finally able to focus full-time on Breast Friends, and her speaking career.
Over the years, Becky has provided support to thousands of patients through her work at Breast Friends including her role as a radio show host on VoiceAmerica.com, and through her speaking. Through listening to the stories of others, as well as through her own personal experiences, she has gained the knowledge of the importance we ALL share in assisting those we care about. It’s not only the friends and family who can provide support, but anyone who works with cancer patients. Becky believes it is up to all of us to understand, and perhaps even feel the fear that cancer patients feel. Through her descriptive stories you will learn ways to assist in a productive and helpful manner.
Since 2003, Becky has become known as the “Breast Cancer Survival Expert.” As a professional, inspirational keynote speaker and author, she has shared her message with thousands of women around the country. She is a frequent speaker at Komen Survivor Celebration luncheons and medical conferences for health care professionals. She is also a sought after speaker for Women’s Conferences and retreats, especially in the area of empowerment. Her use of humor and story-telling keeps the audiences engaged and laughing. Through her keynote presentations, she will help your audience discover their passion, uncover their gifts and begin to create the legacy they all deserve.
Becky is now a five-time breast cancer survivor. Her current battle began in 2018 when she was diagnosed with stage 4, metastatic disease. Breast cancer had spread to her lungs. She is still fighting. Becky believes that it is not WHAT we survive that defines us, but rather HOW we survive it that tells our story. She has a goal to speak in all 50 states in her lifetime. She has 18 more to go. Deepak Chopra says, “Every cell in our body is eves dropping on our thoughts.” Her new speech entitled, “Staying in the Light,” speaks to the power we hold when we do what we love and what we were put on this earth to do.