The organization’s mission is to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer through education, free mammograms and diagnostic testing via mobile mammography units, a free wig program, and access to several resources in Arizona. In addition, various events such as the Pink Out 5K and the upcoming Wig Out on March 31 assist with fundraising efforts.
Rose says during her treatment, what helped her get through was simple kindness, compassion and generosity from family, friends, neighbors and strangers—including a community on Facebook. People delivered meals for weeks at a time, while neighbors supported them with wigs, cards, flowers and offers to watch Rose’s daughters. Friends also showed up at her doorstep sporting gloves ready to scrub her floors.
“There was always someone cheering me on and cheering me up when I was at my lowest moments,” Rose shares on the organization’s website. This outpouring of support was something she wanted for all women fighting breast cancer. But humorously referring to her past career as a serial entrepreneur, she admits didn’t know a thing about running a nonprofit—nor was she interested. Rose was painfully shy and terrified of public speaking.
“I said to myself, ‘Really, God, this is what you want me to do?’ But the purpose and the passion were bigger than I was, so I had to humble myself,” she says.
Initially, the organization’s mission was to educate women in detecting breast cancer early on by performing self-exams. But it soon expanded to educational outreach programs with sponsorship assistance, community grants and supporters. Check for a Lump also formed relationships with other nonprofits, hospitals, doctors and breast-cancer related businesses in the community.
One essential resource is the Wig Program, which gives Arizona breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy the ability to receive a free wig. As of June, more than 1,950 wigs have been provided since its inception.
Five years ago, Ashley Plum received a wig through the program. A caregiver for her husband who was also battling cancer and a mom to their then young daughter, the Glendale mom had her hands full.
“At first, I was super angry. Not sad or holding a pity party, but angry because I was the healthy one,” she says. “I was the one that took care of everyone. I was always on.”
While enduring the whirlwind of scans, doctor appointments and chemotherapy, Plum says the worst part of having breast cancer was losing her hair. While chemotherapy was physically difficult on her body, the hair loss was emotionally tough.
“It was my identity. My hair was always fun with different colors and shades,” she says, adding that your hair also provides a natural protection. “When you lose your hair, your head is very sensitive because the skin is exposed to all these elements. There’s a lot of stuff you don’t think about, and nobody told me when I was diagnosed.”
Since their family was financially strapped and quality wigs run nearly $300, Plum was elated when her application for a free wig was approved. “Having that wig gave me a sense of normalcy. I could go to the store and people wouldn’t stop me saying, ‘Oh, you poor thing.’ It gave me the ability to not think about the cancer for a while.”
Today, Plum and her husband are cancer-free. The support she received from Check for a Lump also prompted her to give back, which she strives for as the nonprofit’s director of development.
“My role allows me to show women that they can get to the other side,” Plum says. “A positive mindset makes a huge stand in the way to heal and get better.”
Providing support from others enduring the same battle or in remission, Check for a Lump hosts monthly “Survivors Unite” activities, ranging from yoga in the park to making tie-dye breast cancer support T-shirts. These free activities are designed for breast cancer patients, survivors and their caregivers. The nonprofit also offers free comfort kits to women going through cancer treatment.
Plum says the future goal of the nonprofit is expand their reach, especially in Latino and Native American populations. “We would really like to grow more, reach more, bring awareness and help everyone we can in the state of Arizona.”
Rose knows firsthand that the initial bleak image of a cancer diagnosis doesn’t have to be the end to someone’s story. “This is not a death sentence,” she says. “If it was, I never would have been so grateful or question if I had soaked up every minute of being with my girls. Moments would have swept by if not for my cancer diagnosis. I would never have created a legacy for my kids.”
