May’s Volunteer of the Month: Chris Needles

412Thrive thrives on volunteers, and this month we want to shine a light on our Volunteer of the Month, our Volunteer Coordinator Chris Needles.   

Chris has been on a difficult journey when it comes to breast cancer. She was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (Stage 3) in October 2004 at 40 and had a lumpectomy and lymph node surgery, chemo, and radiation. Chris had no family history and no BRCA mutations. After treatment, she went back to her busy life as a wife and mom of 4 children (their ages at that time were 14, 12, 12 and 8). 

Three years later at an annual checkup, the oncologist requested a breast MRI, which revealed a shadow on Chris’s lung. Later testing indicated breast cancer had spread to her lung and chest wall lymph nodes. Chris’s oncologist suggested that along with her chemo she use Avastin and ordered a baseline brain MRI. The MRI showed a 3cm tumor (also breast cancer) in her brain. Chris opted for brain surgery in November 2007, followed by chemo (Abraxane plus Avastin) with a routine of three weeks on, one week off for 11 months. She also had one gamma knife surgery to the brain site in January 2008, and after the 11 months of chemo, continued Avastin for another 18 months (every other week).   

Chris is diagnosed as metastatic, but thankfully has had no current evidence of disease or treatment since June 2010, except for periodic issues that arise. “I tend not to worry - it does nothing good for me, and I have realized that I can only control my reactions to a situation - not the situation itself.’ 

“I am so happy that I was convinced to attend the 412Thrive Wellness Retreat 2 years ago, because it has put me in touch with so many wonderful women!” “I am proud to volunteer for 412Thrive, because they strive to serve those who THRIVE!” 

You’re the tits Chris! Thank you for what you do and being a thriver with 412Thrive!