Darla Bardelli
Anglers Against Breast Cancer was born through my personal battle with Breast Cancer beginning in August of 2007. “I was having a really bad week… actually that is an understatement… 3 days before I had just found out my husband was having an affair, when I was diagnosed with Stage III Breast Cancer, not only had my husband betrayed me but my body had as well and my life as I knew it came crashing in and I was tossed into a place I call ‘CANCERLAND’”.
As I started my battle against breast cancer I learned immediately that there are many wonderful programs available sponsored by the Komen Foundation and the American Cancer Society… they have programs to educate and inform patients about breast self exam and diagnosis, funding research for a cure and support groups for patients fighting cancer, however there was a glaring piece missing from the puzzle… what about my husband, my daughters and my family? How were they going to deal with ME having breast cancer and what I was going through? What I found was that there were very limited resources available to educate, inform and support the MEN who have a woman they love, who like me were tossed into CANCERLAND.
I went through 6 grueling months of Chemotherapy, which goes after the cancer, but does a lot of collateral damage along the way… hair loss, nausea, weakness and of course an emotional rollercoaster for me and everyone around me. The one thing we all learned is: CHEMO CAN’T CURE CRAZY! And in keeping with the cancer killing schedule, before I could recover from my last Chemo… A DOUBLE RADICAL MASTECTOMY… That meant loss of movement in both of my arms, more weakness and more emotional rollercoaster… Most often everyone forgets that when a woman loses her breasts, so does her husband… it’s something no one talks about. Then on to 8 weeks of RADIATION which makes a daily visit to CANCERLAND arduous, painful and sickening. Radiation is the gift that keeps on giving, the final hope of killing the cancer and a barbaric regiment to endure.
After spending some time in between treatments researching what was available for husbands dealing with all the things breast cancer brings to a marriage, talking to numerous doctors, counselors and support groups, the first thing I learned is that a large number of marriages fall apart after a breast cancer diagnosis…And that there are no programs, materials or support for husbands, sons, fathers or brothers when it comes to Breast Cancer… It was through my personal journey of my husband’s infidelity 2 more times as I was going through chemo, double mastectomy and radiation that I discovered the incredible challenge that fighting cancer and trying to save a marriage presented. In our case it was hopeless. His adultery and inability to deal with the truth led to domestic violence and the end of our relationship. But opened my eyes to the reality that many marriages suffer through breast cancer and those that make it become stronger and those that don’t are regretful. And that is why I started Anglers Against Breast Cancer. With the support of my team of Doctors, other survivors and their husbands, support groups, counselors, clergy, friends and family, my mission is to create educational, informational and support materials, websites, groups and resources for husbands, sons, fathers and other family members as they journey with the woman they love through the Breast Cancer Battle. Since my goal is educating men and families as co-survivors and my passion is fishing (I have been a national pro on the Women’s Bassmaster Tour for 3 years). I felt there was no better way to get the word out than to use fishing as a platform. Because we all know “Everyone LOVES to fish!”
The support of the fishing community has been awesome! To help me get things started I am raffling a Champion 2008 Elite 200 Bass Boat with all the trimmings to raise money for Anglers Against Breast Cancer. Pink Fishing has pledged 10% of all profits to support AABC.
If you would like more information or need support in your battle with Breast Cancer contact Darla Bardelli 623-340-7719 or complete the form below:
