Speaking & Training Topics

These are some of the speaking and training topics that we conduct:

Find a Previvor, Save a Life, Impact a Family Tree
At 31, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Five years later my sister Kristy, 33, was diagnosed with breast cancer, followed two years later by my sister Wendy, 38. What where the chances that all three of us would get breast cancer and be diagnosed so young?

In 2002, a blood test detected that a faulty BRCA1 gene ran in my family. The gene --a breast and ovarian cancer one-- was passed down from my father to all five of his daughters. This was no surprise since my father's mother died from breast cancer and his grandmother died from ovarian cancer. In addition, one of my father's aunts was also diagnosed with breast cancer and one of his sisters died from it.

I have four sisters. We are five in total. Three of us already have had cancer. Tammy and Jennifer, our youngest sisters, carry the mutation but are cancer free. Thus, they are known as "previvors". It is my hope that through knowledge of BRCA and treatment plans that they can avoid cancer altogether.
Wendi, Kristy and I have all had double mastectomies, breast reconstructive surgery, our ovaries and fallopian tubes removed plus hysterectomy and chemotherapy. As a bonus for my cancer I received radiation and was put on Tamoxifen.

Tammy and Jennifer have also had risk reducing double mastectomy and breast reconstructive surgery in order to avoid cancer. It's 90% effective in preventing the disease.

All totaled that's three breast cancers, three chemotherapy treatments, one radiation treatments, one lumpectomy, five mastectomies all with breast reconstruction, three hysterectomies with ovaries and tubes out, three survivors, two previvors and…we will be OK.

Knowing the gene may have been passed on to the grandchildren we are all keeping a sharp eye on the next generations (i.e. fifth and sixth) as well as our extended family members (i.e. aunts, uncles and cousins) who have already taken charge and have chosen testing of which we are finding positive and negative test results. We are grateful that we now have the knowledge --and answer-- that a genetic mutation runs in our family so that we can prevent any more cancers.

In 2004, our family started the Kimball Family Foundation (www.kimballfamilyfoundation.com) in order to raise awareness about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) and BRCA testing. Our story has been featured on CNN, in 'People' magazine, Comcast Newsmakers, and in Jessica Queller's bestselling book “Pretty Is What Changes.”

It is my goal to pass on to you what I learned subsequent to my breast cancer experience and learning that I have HBOC through my presentation, “Find a Previvior, Safe a Life, Impact a Family Tree.” Whether you are a healthcare professional, student, patient, volunteer, or in the general public, let me teach you how asking a few simple questions can save lives, prevent cancer and help you practice good medicine.
You Matter No Matter What
Have you ever felt like you didn't “fit in” or matter?

Or have any gifts, talents or anything to contribute to the world?

Do you make the same mistake over and over and over again?

Ever feel like a failure?

What about being bullied or gossiped about, feeling inferior, or ever been suicidal?

Why do you compare yourself to others? Why do you listen to others when they tell you you're no good? And why do you sometimes wear or become labels people have given you or even ones you've given yourself?
Mary Kay Ash said, “God didn't have time to make a nobody, only a somebody. I believe that each of us has God-given talents within us waiting to be brought to fruition.” I agree with Mary Kay Ash wholeheartedly.

Growing up, I always wanted to matter and to feel important and special. I think everyone longs to have a purpose, to know “Why am I here on this earth? What's my mission?” But for a long time, I didn't know how to find the answers to those questions. I lacked confidence and made poor decisions and choices that hurt people and me along the way. Sometimes I made decisions because I thought other people would like me better. Sometimes I even made decisions I thought others would make. Really, life is simple, but sometimes it's our choices that make it hard.

After a cancer diagnosis, I realized that one of my purposes is to educate others about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome (HBOC) of which I have. I now speak nationwide about HBOC and hope that by doing so I am saving lives. To me, cancer was a blessing.

Not only can adversity --whether it's a cancer diagnosis, lack of self-esteem, loss of a loved one or job, being bullied, repairing a troubled past or overcoming an addiction-- be a blessing, but an answer.

I'm not a lawyer or a doctor. I don't have a doctorate (not yet anyway). But what I do have is wisdom gleaned from my experiences as a personal and corporate trainer for over a decade. Motivational speaker and writer Denis Waitley said, “Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a collection of mistakes is what is called experience.”

Regardless of what you have done in your life, you have value and worth. You are not your decisions, mistakes, sins, or any kind of a label. You are important regardless of color, education level, beauty, economic status, popularity, etc. You have a purpose and a mission. There is a reason for your existence; don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

I would be honored to teach and guide you in finding purpose. You can then help others do the same. Especially since you will be most effective doing the latter when you first know who you are. Sometimes you just need someone to point you in the right direction.
Engagement through Hope-Based Leadership & Teaching
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