North Bay Woman

F A L L | W I N T E R 2 0 2 1 NORTH BAY WOMAN 31 Above: Aimi Dutra Krause shows off a breast cancer support wristband designed by Terrence Knoles, principal of And Them Design. – Photo by Stuart Lirette breast cancer diagnosis can turn a person's entire world upside down, challenging every emotional, mental and physical aspect of one's being. Feel- ing overwhelmed and isolated is not uncommon, survivors say, but organizations such as To Cele- brate Life Breast Cancer Foundation offer a ray of hope by funding services aimed at ensuring no one faces breast cancer alone. The Kentfield-based foundation has raised $6.75 million since its inception over 25 years ago and distributes funds to over 40 nonprofits throughout the Bay Area that provide testing, holistic therapies, emergency funds, meals, transportation and more to women and men with breast cancer. Each year the organization hosts a gala fashion show featuring breast cancer survivors, or "thrivers," but the runway event has been postponed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. An online fundraiser and silent auction is being held this year through October to support their work. NEEDING MULTIPLE SURGERIES Novato resident Aimi Dutra Krause, 52, was slated to be a model in this year's fashion show before the event was canceled. Hav- ing attended the nonprofit's gala many years ago in her role as the director of community relations and governmental affairs for The Dutra Group, she never expected to be a participant. That all changed when she found a lump in her right breast around the same time as the start of the pandemic. "I wasn't aware of anyone in my family having breast cancer and the blood work from my annual physical looked good, so I thought it was no big deal," Dutra Krause said. "Then I began having heavy menstrual cycles, so my doctor referred me for a vagi- nal ultrasound and mammo- gram. They did the mammogram twice and then did an ultrasound of my breast. Afterward, the nurse explained that I would need a biopsy. I just started crying. Cancer was never on my radar as a possibility." Diagnosed with late stage 2 breast cancer in December, Dutra Krause has undergone five surgeries including a nipple-sparing double mastectomy with lymph node removal in February. She had immediate reconstruction with implants but developed an infection that required a surgical washout. Another surgery was needed to remove her right nipple and additional skin once the results of her pathology report returned, and the doctors completed a dorsal flap reconstruction using skin from her back. A more severe infec- A

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