Ruth is a former Contracting Officer with the Department of Defense and currently volunteers as our Manager.   Her responsibilities include coordinating the operation of Friends In Touch as well as overseeing our Assistant Managers, and overall site review and maintenance.  In August of 2000, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a right mastectomy with tram flap reconstruction.  She also survived endrometrial cancer after having a hysterectomy.  She has been married 25 years, has 4 step children and 7 grandchildren.  Her hobbies include traveling, dancing, reading, gardening, grandkids…and living life to the fullest.  She is definitely the person you need to talk to when you want some excellent advice!  Ruth’s favorite quote is… “Actions speak louder than words.”

Email:  Grinny44_4@hotmail.com

Julie is a 7 year survivor, having been diagnosed with breast cancer on December 5, 2000.  She underwent a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and is currently taking Femara. She works at Boston Scientific and runs her own custom card site - Creative Cards by Julie.  She is a wiz at computers and does a great job helping us manage the technical part of Friends In Touch.  Her wonderful sense of humor also adds a great deal to The Game Room section she created especially for us!   Her hobbies include gardening, reading, and computer design...just to name a few.  She also adores her grandson, Dawson, and her 2 daughters who she spends as much time with as she can.  Julie’s favorite quote is "At the timberline where the storms strike with the most fury, the sturdiest trees are found."

Email:  jkdyer30@hotmail.com

Sue was diagnosed in December of 1998, then underwent a lumpectomy followed by chemotherapy and radiation. She is a retired School Nurse, having also been an Operating Room nurse for several years.  Sue brings a level of medical expertise to our site as she helps to manage our Resources and Chat room.  She is responsible for the helpful Medical Glossary, Ask A Nurse FAQ's, and helps manage the Pink Ribbon Pals.   Sue has been married to her high school sweetheart for 43 years and has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. She likes to garden, read, and play with her grandchildren. Her favorite quote is: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.  Email:  suric711@hotmail.com

Karen manages all of our Message Boards which is a huge job!   She is also in charge of our Pink Ribbon Pals program and the person who greets you when you sign on as a new member.  At the age of 56, she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage 1.  She had a re-excision lumpectomy and excision of her lymph nodes which came back clear!    Afterward, she underwent Radiation and took Tamoxifen for 3-1/2 years.  All of her working life, Karen was a medical transcriptionist.   Now retired, she enjoys quilting, blogging, knitting, crochet & embroidery and her grandchildren (who are at the top of her list).  She and her husband have been married for 45 years and have a son and a daughter and 4 grandchildren.  Karen's favorite quote, especially since her diagnosis is "Think Positive!"   

Email:  karenlbc01@hotmail.com

 Sherrie is our Assistant Manager for Outreach/Ministry.  She was diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal carcinoma, Stage II in June 2000.  She underwent a modified radical mastectomy followed by 6 months of Chemo.  Sherrie had Tram Flap Reconstruction in March 2001.  She was diagnosed with Bone Mets in July 2001 followed by two separate rounds of radiation.  Since Oct 2001, she has been taking Femara and, as of her 2007 check-up, is stable..  Sherrie manages our Comfort Care Team and our Sanctuary.  She is also in charge of our Special Dates Section.  She and her husband have been married for 29 years and have 2 daughters and 4 beautiful Grandchildren.  Sherrie's favorite scriptures come from Psalm 139.

Mary was diagnosed with Infiltrating Ductal Carcinoma, Stage II, in 1996.  She underwent a lumpectomy, chemo (CAF), and radiation, and  took Tamoxifen for 5 1/2 years, and Femara for 2 years.  Mary is an RN, with a working background in Medical/Surgical/Oncology.  Mary also manages her own website, Bearyjoyful, offering breast cancer support and inspirational pages. She is Co-Manager of our Comfort Care Team and our Quilt Square pages as well as helping with web-site editing.  She also helps Sue with our Ask A Nurse FAQ's.  Mary has been married for 24 years and has two children.  She enjoys reading, boating, computer graphics and volunteer work.  Her favorite quote is:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13.

Debi is the Founder of Friends In Touch, having been diagnosed with Multifocal Bilateral DCIS in February of 1999.  She underwent bilateral mastectomies with immediate expander/implant reconstruction.  After losing her implants to an infection, Debi started working with the American Cancer Society as a Reach to Recovery volunteer.  She also formed her own Relay for Life team which is how the name Friends In Touch was born!  She and her husband have been married for 25 years and have one son who is 16 years old.  Her love of helping others keeps her busy as well as being a wife and the mother of a teenager.  Debi’s favorite quote is: “To be a survivor is to know the journey of a butterfly.”