Six Sisters
Left to right: Theresa (flowered shirt); Back row: Katy, Peggy, Beth; Center: Cece; Front: Mary Jo and Barbara.
By Mary Jo, a participant from North Carolina
I am the youngest in a family of 8 girls and 3 boys. We have always been an incredibly close family and spend lots of time together. Our very wise parents instilled in each of us an appreciation for all that we have in this big, wonderful, funny, loving, supportive group. Not only do we spend birthdays, holidays and vacations together, but we are often at each other’s houses for weekend cook-outs, or gathering as many as can make it for a meal at a favorite local restaurant. Our sister Theresa is number 5 in the line-up and is definitely part of the glue that keeps us all as close as we are! She is everyone’s best friend, cheerleader, confidante and counselor. Theresa has one of those unflappable sunny dispositions and a genuine caring heart that just draws people to her!
We were understandably devastated when we got the news in 1993 that Theresa had breast cancer! Theresa’s diagnosis was the last in a series of tough things the family had faced that year and it seemed no one could believe we were dealing with yet another sorrow. But Theresa had enough courage and fortitude for all of us! Theresa faced her breast cancer with the same humor, grace and strength with which she faces every day. It seemed that most of the time she was the one assuring each of us that she was really feeling okay. That she wasn’t that tired. That losing a lot of her hair was just a bump in the road. I know Theresa had her moments of anger at the cancer and fear about her future, but those moments were just that. Her greatest sadness during those hard months was the worry it meant for her husband and three children. As always, they came first in her eyes. Well, we rallied around Theresa, her family and each other during those difficult months and Theresa was an inspiration to everyone near her! Eleven years later she is cancer-free and continues to be an inspiration, facing the death of her husband from cancer 3 ½ years ago with the same strength and grace with which she faced her own battle with the disease.
When Theresa mentioned the Sister Study to all of us, we jumped at the chance to be a part of such important research. We feel it should be the mission of every woman touched by breast cancer, either personally or through a family member or friend, to do all she can to aid in the battle to end this disease. It is actually a privilege to meet the criteria for such a groundbreaking study! And, for us, the O’Rourke sisters, it represents a chance for us to do something in honor of Theresa. Something meaningful that says we will never forget the hard things you have faced in your life and we are there for you always!
With all our love, Mary Jo, Barbara, Beth, Cece, Katy and Peggy.