Dear Sister: Carondelet Students Deliver 200 Letters of Support to Patients at John Muir Breast Health Center in Walnut Creek

Several Carondelet High School students delivered 200 handmade cards and letters of support to breast cancer patients of the Theresa M. Caygill Breast Health Center of John Muir Health in Walnut Creek on Wednesday, in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Last year the school’s sophomore class council was inspired by their class advisor Lindy Sullivan to show support for breast cancer ‘fighters’ in their community.

The group crafted cards with inspiring messages and hand delivered them to patients at the Breast Health Center.

The cards were so well-received by patients then that the tradition continues this year, with double the notes of support: more than 200 cards and letters, some addressed as “Dear Sister,” and bearing messages such as “You are beautiful,” “fight,” and “be strong and courageous.”

“We brought about 200 cards this year, that’s up from last year. The girls really outdid themselves this year with organizing an assembly at school where everyone wore pink and wrote down names of breast cancer survivors on a large heart that read ‘Just Stand Up,’” said Lindy Sullivan, Sophomore Class Moderator of Carondelet High School in Concord. “I was first inspired to encourage the girls to make cards for breast cancer patients after my husband’s cousin was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. Awareness is out there but we wanted to truly support women.”

“I want to help empower women battling breast cancer. This month is a great way to do that,” said sophomore Mikayla Scott.

“Carondelet is like a sisterhood, we share a sense of unity and we wanted to share that support with patients so they never give up on their faith and keep fighting,” said Sarah Mazzetti, also a sophomore at Carondelet.

“I’m going to fight it and I’m going to make it. I thank these girls for the cards. I am so thankful for the support and care here at John Muir Health,” said Lolita Schar, current breast cancer patient at John Muir Breast Health Center.

The Theresa M. Caygill Breast Health Center of John Muir Health in Walnut Creek has been providing breast cancer patients with quality care since 2011.

The center offers screening, diagnostic services, clinical trials, as well as genetic counseling and testing to provide individualized treatment options.

Photos clockwise from top left:

Carondelet Sophomore Council members from left Jennifer McGregor, Samantha Bueno, Kayla Bingham, Lillian Cheeks, Sarah Mazetti, Tiana Couture, Mikayla Scott & Carissa Fong;

Carondelet Sophomore Council members look at some of the cards for breast cancer patients;

Carondelet Sophomore Council members speak with Vicki Rocconi, Nurse Navigator at John Muir Health, about the number of women who are diagnosed with Breast Cancer annually;

Carondelet Sophomores Kayla Bingham, Lillian Cheeks & Tiana Couture look at some of the cards that classmates wrote to breast cancer patients.

-Photos and information courtesy of Carondelet Sophomore Council and  John Muir’s Breast Health Center.