Pink it Forward | Video

Michelle San Miguel | 10/19/2012

The family you`re about to meet knows all too well how true the saying is- when it rains, it pours. The Svalen family has a history of breast cancer. So it`s not surprising that many of the women in this family began getting a mammogram long before they turned 40, which is often regarded as the age women should begin getting them.

Sisters Tammy Gimbel and RueAnn Gallagher have spent their share of time at Sanford Medical Center. Within four months, these sisters and their mom were all diagnosed with breast cancer.

"For me the hardest thing was taking help from people. Food. Anything that anybody gave and I had some wonderful friends and family...I was always the one that liked to give so receiving seemed different for me," Tammy said.

After the huge outpouring of help they received during their cancer treatment, these sisters are passionate about paying it forward.

Tammy and RueAnn have given gift certificates to Sanford Medical Center and St. Alexius to hand out to women undergoing a mastectomy. It`s good for a hair wash and style at Hair of the Century in Bismarck. They`re doing this because they remember how difficult their daily routine became during their treatment.

"Before I went in for my mastectomy, Tammy got me some button-up pajamas because you can`t lift your arms over your head very well or you don`t want to so those were like a lifesaver. I think I lived in those for a couple weeks," RueAnn said.

"We`re so thankful to them for having provided this. Whatever we can give to the patient as they`re going through this whole treatment process is just very helpful," said Sanford Patient Navigator JuLann Wiseman.

These cancer survivors were close before their diagnosis, but now...

"I think now we share a bond that is just an amazing bond between us," RueAnn said.

Doctors say women with a family history of breast cancer should start getting a mammogram before they turn 40. The rule of thumb is you should start 10 years before the age your loved one was diagnosed.

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