MARGARET'S HOUSE

by Don Borwhat

To try to exemplify the life of Margaret Borwhat with a few pictures and words on a web page, is like trying to draw a map of the world on a Post-It note….

Margaret was many things…. wife, mother, daughter, friend, caregiver, advocate,  survivor… the list could go on and on. What truly set Margaret apart from so many of us was her innate kindness, and her ability to put helping others first.

If this web page has a purpose beyond garnering attention towards breast cancer awareness and channeling funds toward Margaret’s charity WCAN.org, it is to inspire the rest of us to live a bit more like Margaret did. Indeed, since she is no longer with us, the world needs a few thousands of us to fill her shoes!

May her story, her smile, and her infectious laugh remind you that none of us came here to stay small like the acorn. We are meant to grow strong like the towering oak, and to spread our good in the world as far as we can.

When Margaret was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1992, almost immediately she turned her misfortune into an opportunity to begin helping others. For the next 15 years she worked tirelessly for women who suffer from or are at risk of being diagnosed with women’s cancers. In 1997, Margaret co-founded and became President of the Women’s Cancer Advocacy Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women with cancer.

Through Margaret’s efforts, WCAN has worked with researchers, physicians, and clinicians to provide a patient-advocate’s perspective to cancer research and treatment. Margaret also conducted outreach programs for indigent and rural communities in Virginia and Nevada providing information on the prevention and treatment of women’s cancers.

She was a frequent public speaker, author, and co-author, of many cancer related articles. She served as both President and later Vice President of the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation, and was this organization’s Legislative Chair as well. She served on the Boards of the National Breast Cancer Coalition, The National Patient Advocate Foundation, and the Patient Advocate Foundation. She was a researcher and legislative liaison to various organizations including Georgetown University, Lombardi Cancer Center, and the National Breast Cancer Coalition.

Margaret’s efforts on behalf of women were recognized by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and National Public Radio and in her spare time she worked as a Hospice volunteer as well.

Margaret’s dying wish was two-fold.

The first wish was that her cancer advocacy work live on after her through WCAN and its ability to teach, touch, and assist women living with or at risk of contracting women’s cancers.

 Her second wish was that the dying have peace, dignity and support through their final journey.

Margaret was granted all of these things through the friendship and support of Dr. Annette Childs. She was Margaret’s friend and a great source of comfort during her final days. Annette’s stories from her years of working with the dying were one of the things that gave Margaret serenity during the last months of her life, in effect allowing Margaret to die in peace, and with the same dignity with which she lived.

These stories that touched Margaret so deeply, have now been compiled in Annette’s book “Halfway Across the River “ and a portion of the proceeds of every book sold will go to WCAN in honor of Margaret. Therefore, the book not only tells her story, but exemplifies her philosophy by giving back to WCAN and touching lives at the same time.
One of Margaret’s favorite retorts when she came upon another’s resistance was this:  “When asked to help don’t find excuses, just help.”

By donating to WCAN and supporting the work of individuals like Dr. Annette Childs, we can all exemplify Margaret’s philosophy and take a moment to lay our excuses aside and help others.

Sincerely,

Don Borwhat