When Kelly Rose was first diagnosed with breast cancer, the news affected her like it would anyone who just learned they had cancer. She asked herself, ‘why me?’- before turning this into a fight that would help herself and many others as well.

Fast forward to today, and Kelly has been a top 5 fundraiser for G Koman, plus in one single year, she locally raised over $13,000. What motivates Kelly, well, that is where her background comes into effect, and luckily it was a positive one. Kelly has been with her love and rock since 7th grade and grew up in a home where both parents strived to help others- her mom always said stay positive as long as you can. When Kelly lost her hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows to the chemo treatments after 3 months, she recalled, ‘I always have taken care of myself and have worked in the medical field for most of my adult life, so how did I miss this?’

Going out in public for the first time after losing her hair was tough, and it took a few times to get used to the hand that was dealt to her. It did not take Kelly long to draw deep inside and say, ‘attitude is everything,’ and my mom taught me to stay positive, so I need to help others. With her husband by her side, Kelly did not blink as they started digging in to help others. Kelly and her husband are still helping charities today, and they are involved with several. Cancer-free now since 2019 was one of my most significant reliefs, Kelly says. She also admits her biggest accomplishment today is making a call to someone she does not know who is going through the same treatment for the first time and saying: ‘I understand and I am here to help.’

Kelly helps hundreds of Dallas County women, and even her own Oncologist calls her in to talk with new patients facing cancer for the first time. When I make that first call to the patient, Kelly says and hear in their voice that fear that overcomes us all when we learn we have cancer, I know I can help. Getting patients through this horrific ordeal and helping them get to the other side of it is a great joy of mine. In closing, I asked Kelly what one incident you recall most from your mom helping others, and she quickly responded: When Cabbage Patch dolls first came out, my mom stood in line all night waiting for the store to open so she could deliver one to lots of families in need.