Jill Stone knows firsthand how important mammograms are. And she wants the whole community to know their significance.
Stone, who is senior director of physical medicine & rehabilitation and respiratory care at TidalHealth, had been getting mammograms since age 35 — earlier than a woman at average risk — because of a family history of breast cancer.
When she was 43, something was spotted on the mammogram and she had further tests done, which confirmed she had breast cancer. That wasn’t something she was too surprised by, as she figured it would happen eventually.
“I’ve always been a proponent of routine preventative care, but I feel like it’s my life’s mission to preach the importance of preventative mammograms,” Stone said.
She leads TidalHealth’s breast cancer committee with Kathryn Fiddler, DNP, MBA, vice president of population health at TidalHealth. TidalHealth offers a variety of internal fundraisers each October to make it possible for more women to get their annual mammograms while also raising awareness for the cause.
Stone also hosted a fundraiser at her home for four years that raised $55,000 for the TidalHealth Foundation and Women Supporting Women.
Going through the cancer journey as a patient was different than working with patients as a healthcare practitioner. After experiencing what it was like from the patient side, Stone proposed the idea of a pre-operative breast book, which turned into a pre-operative breast class.
She advises those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to find a friend who has been through it — there’s a lot to navigate, between emotions, health concerns, jobs and families.
Stone also says a positive attitude is key, and she was able to keep this attitude despite setbacks that led her to have nine breast surgeries. She also underwent chemotherapy and still takes a chemo pill to reduce the risk of recurrence.
“This is not the end,” Stone said. “This is just the beginning of a different journey.”
You can make a difference
Help save lives in our community by supporting the Sheila Zimmer Breast Screenings Fund. Created in memory of Sheila Zimmer, a Salisbury native who bravely battled breast cancer twice after a lifetime of giving back to others, this fund helps provide access to life-saving breast screenings and care up to diagnosis for patients in need. Through this effort, Sheila’s legacy of compassion and generosity will continue to touch lives.
Visit the TidalHealth Foundation page to support and help continue Sheila’s legacy.
