KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Making a difference brings joy to my life. So when I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in February 2019, I was driven to publicly share my journey on 41 Action News to educate and encourage other women.
I revived my news series "Newsome's House Calls," and began visiting the homes of my MBC sisters to find out what I and other women can expect on our journey. The women I visited were transparent, honest and offered concrete advice about the good, the bad and the ugly aspects of living with MBC.
Those stories captured the attention of the American Association of Cancer Research in Philadelphia (AACR). The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the first and largest cancer research organization dedicated to accelerating the conquest of cancer. I am humbled and honored that the AACR selected Newsome's House Calls for its 2020 June L. Biedler Prize for Cancer Journalism!
Television news is not a solo act. I am grateful to news managers at 41 Action News for giving me the freedom to cover those stories. I also want to thank the photojournalists who shot and edited those stories: Matt Reeb, Chase Lucas, Rex Harris, Chris Morrison, Mark Kachelmeier, and John Batten. With tender loving care, they captured in video the heart of soul of each person.
The award will be presented to us in San Diego in late April.
I also have some good news about my personal battle. My oncologists are very encouraged that we are on the right path to stopping the progression of the cancer. My latest MRI and CAT scans show that the tumor above my chest wall and in my right armpit area are not growing.
I am continuing chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments once a week for three weeks; with a one-week break in the routine. The infusions make me tired; but God has given me strength and grace in this battle to continue to work and continue my life with only a few limitations.
I do try to make sure I get enough rest and I'm working on eating more vegetables and drinking more water.
I encourage all my MBC sisters to hang in there and support each other with kind words and helpful hints to make life better.
I also thank my husband Ed, for his loving faithfulness to me. Thank you, Ed, for giving me strength and laughter.
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Below, find all of Cynthia's House Call stories:
Newsome's House Calls: Breast cancer patients often face financial struggles
Newsome's House Calls: Breast cancer survivor reveals importance of genetic testing
Kansas City jazz vocalist shares insights into living with metastatic breast cancer
Kansas City woman shares joy, challenges of living with metastatic breast cancer
