Maura McCarthy, interview & story in ENGLISH
From Maura McCarthy…
Maura McCarthy is an Analytic Consultant with Wells Fargo and she is a Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Villanova University School of Business and began her career with Deloitte & Touche LLP then J.P. Morgan in New York City. Maura has also worked with several start-up businesses incorporating her professional background of finance, accounting, organization management, coaching and recruiting.
Maura is a proud mother of 3 children and a breast and thyroid cancer survivor. She is an active leader and participant in several nonprofit organizations to raise awareness and funds for cancer.
At the age of 41, after having a routine mammogram, I was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer and while my prognosis was good, I was angry, sad and scared. I was completely stunned and overwhelmed. I had no family history of cancer of any kind, I exercised regularly and I ate a healthy diet. I felt no lump nor had any symptoms of cancer. At the time , my 3 children were ages 11, 9 and 6 and I was terrified of not seeing them grow up.
I gathered all of my information through medical research materials, talked with other breast cancer survivors and immersed myself in online cancer forums. The choice I made for my treatment was made after careful consideration with my doctors and analysis of what I could live with and be most comfortable with going forward. I opted for double mastectomy with reconstruction. Thankfully, with the love and support of my outstanding circle of friends and family, I was able to recover after many months of post-surgical care. I slowly regained my strength.
Then 4 years later, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It was early stage and I opted for a total thyroidectomy. I am thrilled to be healthy and thriving thanks to daily medication, the power of positivity and my family and friends!
I had an inner call to “Pay it Forward” so I immersed myself in efforts to help other women facing this diagnosis and using my voice to raise awareness. I kept thinking that if the millions of women before me had Not raised their voices about breast health, I Never would have gone for my mammogram and then my prognosis would likely have been much different. It is imperative that I encourage, support and keep the conversation going about breast cancer. I started volunteering with Susan Komen-Charlotte and BCC Rally, a Charlotte-based nonprofit organization raising funds and awareness for breast cancer. I later became a leader for BCC Rally’s signature Pink Bow Campaign and community events and joined the Board of Directors in 2015. It is my lifelong mission to advocate for early detection and being proactive with your health.
Maura McCarthy, Breast Cancer Survivor with a lifelong mission to advocate for early detection. Hats off to Mrs. McCarthy’s spirit and eagerness to help others. Mrs. McCarthy, an inspiration for the society…