Tiffany Tatum is an educator who turned her own experience with The Rose’s mobile mammogram coach into a movement at Alief ISD. She’s helped raise thousands of dollars and connected hundreds of families to breast health services.

In this episode, we talk about:
How one school district brings breast cancer care to staff and families
What happens when girls are given a place to lead and belong
Why convenience can be the difference between life and loss

Key Questions Answered

1.What is Tiffany Tatum’s role in Alief ISD?

2.How did Tiffany become involved with The Rose and breast cancer awareness?

3. What is the Girls Club in Alief ISD, and what is its purpose?

4. How did the annual breast cancer walk in Alief come about, and what impact has it had?

5. How are funds raised for the breast cancer walk, and approximately how many people participate?

6. What additional activities or features are part of the annual walk?

7. Why is the presence of The Rose’s mobile mammography bus so important for school staff and the wider community?

8. What impact does the Girls Club have on young girls in Alief?

9. What are Tiffany’s hopes for her own children and for the future of the Girls Club initiative?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 From Prison Educator to Specialist

05:06 "Connecting Before Correcting in Education"

09:25 Launching District-Wide Girls' SEO Clubs

13:22 Mobile Mammogram Bus Saves Lives

16:28 "Equal Mammogram Outcomes for Uninsured"

17:55 Girls Clubs Empowerment Initiative

23:46 "Streamlined Event for Alief ISD"

25:21 Empowering Girls Through Philanthropy

28:09 Future Goals for My Children

Support The Rose HERE.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Tiffany Tatum is an educator who turned her own experience with The Rose&rsquo;s mobile mammogram coach into a movement at Alief ISD. She&rsquo;s helped raise thousands of dollars and connected hundreds of families to breast health services.
In this episode, we talk about:
<ul>
<li>How one school district brings breast cancer care to staff and families</li>
<li>What happens when girls are given a place to lead and belong</li>
<li>Why convenience can be the difference between life and loss</li>
</ul>
Key Questions Answered
1.What is Tiffany Tatum&rsquo;s role in Alief ISD?
2.How did Tiffany become involved with The Rose and breast cancer awareness?
3. What is the Girls Club in Alief ISD, and what is its purpose?
4. How did the annual breast cancer walk in Alief come about, and what impact has it had?
5. How are funds raised for the breast cancer walk, and approximately how many people participate?
6. What additional activities or features are part of the annual walk?
7. Why is the presence of The Rose&rsquo;s mobile mammography bus so important for school staff and the wider community?
8. What impact does the Girls Club have on young girls in Alief?
9. What are Tiffany&rsquo;s hopes for her own children and for the future of the Girls Club initiative?
Timestamped Overview
00:00 From Prison Educator to Specialist
05:06 "Connecting Before Correcting in Education"
09:25 Launching District-Wide Girls' SEO Clubs
13:22 Mobile Mammogram Bus Saves Lives
16:28 "Equal Mammogram Outcomes for Uninsured"
17:55 Girls Clubs Empowerment Initiative
23:46 "Streamlined Event for Alief ISD"
25:21 Empowering Girls Through Philanthropy
28:09 Future Goals for My Children
Support The Rose <a href="https://secure.therose.org/site/Donation2;jsessionid=00000000.app30118a?df_id=1480&amp;mfc_pref=T&amp;1480.donation=form1&amp;NONCE_TOKEN=6FEB2388BD63E0937C3FD34555AF1B9F">HERE</a>.
Subscribe to Let&rsquo;s Talk About Your Breasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-about-your-breasts/id1666101320">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6o9cXAie2Mfqhq6tQWrClj">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-lets-talk-about-your-brea-107408811/">iHeart</a>, and wherever you get <a href="https://therose.org/podcasts/">your podcasts</a>.

The Rose Breast Center of Excellence presents Let's Talk About Your Breasts with Dorothy Gibbons.

Each week, Dorothy hosts candid conversations with an array of people in the breast cancer community. From doctors and employees to donors and individuals who influence policy, you'll learn all there is to know about the disease which impacts so many women in our community.

The Rose Breast Center of Excellence presents Let's Talk About Your Breasts with Dorothy Gibbons.
Each week, Dorothy hosts candid conversations with an array of people in the breast cancer community. From doctors and employees to donors and individuals who influence policy, you'll learn all there is to know about the disease which impacts so many women in our community.

Let's Talk About Your Breasts

The Rose Breast Center of Excellence presents Let's Talk About Your Breasts with Dorothy Gibbons.


Each week, Dorothy hosts candid conversations with an array of people in the breast cancer community. From doctors and employees to donors and individuals who influence policy, you'll learn all there is to know about the disease which impacts so many women in our community.

The Rose Breast Center of Excellence presents Let's Talk About Your Breasts with Dorothy Gibbons.
 Each week, Dorothy hosts candid conversations with an array of people in the breast cancer community. From doctors and employees to donors and individuals who influence policy, you'll learn all there is to know about the disease which impacts so many women in our community.

Friday Night Lights, Pink Ribbons: Tiffany Tatum's Playbook for Change at Alief ISD

¿Qué es exactamente una mamografía? ¿Duele? ¿Qué pasa cuando llegas? Kathia nos explica el proceso, rompe mitos y comparte por qué muchas mujeres latinas dudan en llamar. Si alguna vez lo ha pospuesto por miedo o falta de información, este episodio es para usted.

&iquest;Qu&eacute; es exactamente una mamograf&iacute;a? &iquest;Duele? &iquest;Qu&eacute; pasa cuando llegas? Kathia nos explica el proceso, rompe mitos y comparte por qu&eacute; muchas mujeres latinas dudan en llamar. Si alguna vez lo ha pospuesto por miedo o falta de informaci&oacute;n, este episodio es para usted.

Sin miedo a llamar: lo que debe saber antes de su mamografía

Nancy and Shelley didn’t plan to share a breast cancer story, much less two very different diagnoses, eight years apart. One faced Stage 0 DCIS at 41 after pushing for a 3D mammogram; the other walked into an annual screening, felt no lump, and still heard “Stage 2 HER2‑Positive.”

In this conversation, we talk about what happens when two pragmatic, organized women lean on faith, friendship, and their networks to move fast on treatment—then turn around and use their experience to champion The Rose and the women who rely on us for access to mammograms, diagnostics, and compassionate care.

Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at therose.org so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key questions answered
How did Nancy and Shelley each grow up with service and volunteering, and how did that shape their careers and philanthropy?
What kind of work do they do in the plastics industry, and how did Shelley end up co‑inventing a “tiltless” liner used around the world?
How did Shelley’s first 3D mammogram at 41 lead to a stage zero DCIS diagnosis, and why did she struggle to call it “cancer”?
What made Nancy’s diagnosis different—stage two HER2‑positive with no lump—and how did prior research for Shelly help her move quickly?
How did Nancy’s long history of volunteering and relationships at Baylor help both mother and daughter fast‑track appointments and treatment?
What do they mean by “God winks,” and how did shared surgeons, the same radiologist, and overlapping timelines reinforce their faith?
In what ways did cancer deepen—rather than define—their mother–daughter relationship and cement that “best friends” dynamic?
How do they each use their stories now to push friends, colleagues, and even their kids to prioritize mammograms and routine screenings?
Why is The Rose the organization they chose to champion, and how do insured patients’ mammograms help cover care for uninsured and underinsured women?
What do they want listeners to understand about the emotional side of bell‑ringing, being present for each other, and never being “too busy” to schedule preventive care?

Timestamped overview

03:20 Welcoming Nancy and Shelley as Everything’s Coming Up Roses honorees; their shared background as successful women in male‑dominated plastics and lifelong volunteers.

07:20 Nancy’s early volunteer roots, decades with arts and civic groups, current work with the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and Shelley’s career in plastics—including her patented tiltless liner and global travel as a family.

10:00 The “backwards” breast cancer story: Shelley’s stage zero DCIS diagnosis at 41 after pushing for a 3D mammogram, her embarrassment about calling it cancer, and the lack of family history aside from an elderly grandmother.

14:30 Nancy’s 2023 diagnosis: annual mammogram, no lump, stage two HER2‑positive, choosing a world‑class oncologist, and how watching Shelley’s calm, research‑driven approach prepared her.

18:30 How Nancy’s Baylor relationships and volunteer network helped both women move quickly through diagnosis and into treatment; the shared focus on reducing the stress of “waiting” and the role of faith in that season.

22:30 “God winks”: both having the same surgeon, Shelley’s husband later sharing her radiologist, and the reminder that—even for highly organized women—God is still in control.

26:30 How their faith kept them from seeing cancer as punishment, why they refused to play the victim, and how the experience tightened their bond without defining their identities.

31:10 Bell‑ringing surprises: Nancy showing up for Shelley’s bell, Shelley returning the favor and scaring her mom in the parking lot, and how those moments became treasured markers in their journey.

32:44 Using their platform: encouraging others to schedule mammograms, explaining how insured patients at The Rose help fund care for uninsured women, and embracing their “backwards” mother–daughter honoree role to amplify The Rose’s mission and make sure no woman walks around not knowing help is available.

Nancy and Shelley didn&rsquo;t plan to share a breast cancer story, much less two very different diagnoses, eight years apart. One faced Stage 0 DCIS at 41 after pushing for a 3D mammogram; the other walked into an annual screening, felt no lump, and still heard &ldquo;Stage 2 HER2‑Positive.&rdquo;
In this conversation, we talk about what happens when two pragmatic, organized women lean on faith, friendship, and their networks to move fast on treatment&mdash;then turn around and use their experience to champion The Rose and the women who rely on us for access to mammograms, diagnostics, and compassionate care.
Please consider sharing this episode, or making a donation at <a href="http://therose.org/">therose.org</a> so more women receive breast cancer screening and care.
Subscribe to Let&rsquo;s Talk About Your Breasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-about-your-breasts/id1666101320">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6o9cXAie2Mfqhq6tQWrClj">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-lets-talk-about-your-brea-107408811/">iHeart</a>, and wherever you get <a href="https://therose.org/podcasts/">your podcasts</a>.
Key questions answered
<ol>
<li>How did Nancy and Shelley each grow up with service and volunteering, and how did that shape their careers and philanthropy?</li>
<li>What kind of work do they do in the plastics industry, and how did Shelley end up co‑inventing a &ldquo;tiltless&rdquo; liner used around the world?</li>
<li>How did Shelley&rsquo;s first 3D mammogram at 41 lead to a stage zero DCIS diagnosis, and why did she struggle to call it &ldquo;cancer&rdquo;?</li>
<li>What made Nancy&rsquo;s diagnosis different&mdash;stage two HER2‑positive with no lump&mdash;and how did prior research for Shelly help her move quickly?</li>
<li>How did Nancy&rsquo;s long history of volunteering and relationships at Baylor help both mother and daughter fast‑track appointments and treatment?</li>
<li>What do they mean by &ldquo;God winks,&rdquo; and how did shared surgeons, the same radiologist, and overlapping timelines reinforce their faith?</li>
<li>In what ways did cancer deepen&mdash;rather than define&mdash;their mother&ndash;daughter relationship and cement that &ldquo;best friends&rdquo; dynamic?</li>
<li>How do they each use their stories now to push friends, colleagues, and even their kids to prioritize mammograms and routine screenings?</li>
<li>Why is The Rose the organization they chose to champion, and how do insured patients&rsquo; mammograms help cover care for uninsured and underinsured women?</li>
<li>What do they want listeners to understand about the emotional side of bell‑ringing, being present for each other, and never being &ldquo;too busy&rdquo; to schedule preventive care?</li>
</ol>
Timestamped overview
03:20 Welcoming Nancy and Shelley as Everything&rsquo;s Coming Up Roses honorees; their shared background as successful women in male‑dominated plastics and lifelong volunteers.
07:20 Nancy&rsquo;s early volunteer roots, decades with arts and civic groups, current work with the Greater Houston Women&rsquo;s Chamber of Commerce, and Shelley&rsquo;s career in plastics&mdash;including her patented tiltless liner and global travel as a family.
10:00 The &ldquo;backwards&rdquo; breast cancer story: Shelley&rsquo;s stage zero DCIS diagnosis at 41 after pushing for a 3D mammogram, her embarrassment about calling it cancer, and the lack of family history aside from an elderly grandmother.
14:30 Nancy&rsquo;s 2023 diagnosis: annual mammogram, no lump, stage two HER2‑positive, choosing a world‑class oncologist, and how watching Shelley&rsquo;s calm, research‑driven approach prepared her.
18:30 How Nancy&rsquo;s Baylor relationships and volunteer network helped both women move quickly through diagnosis and into treatment; the shared focus on reducing the stress of &ldquo;waiting&rdquo; and the role of faith in that season.
22:30 &ldquo;God winks&rdquo;: both having the same surgeon, Shelley&rsquo;s husband later sharing her radiologist, and the reminder that&mdash;even for highly organized women&mdash;God is still in control.
26:30 How their faith kept them from seeing cancer as punishment, why they refused to play the victim, and how the experience tightened their bond without defining their identities.
31:10 Bell‑ringing surprises: Nancy showing up for Shelley&rsquo;s bell, Shelley returning the favor and scaring her mom in the parking lot, and how those moments became treasured markers in their journey.
32:44 Using their platform: encouraging others to schedule mammograms, explaining how insured patients at The Rose help fund care for uninsured women, and embracing their &ldquo;backwards&rdquo; mother&ndash;daughter honoree role to amplify The Rose&rsquo;s mission and make sure no woman walks around not knowing help is available.

God Winks, Ringing Bells, and The Rose: Nancy and Shelley’s Shared Journey as Mother-Daughter Honorees at the Everything's Coming Up Roses Luncheon

Being a doctor has its challenges, but imagine starting out when women weren't always accepted in medicine. Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas built a practice, stood up for her patients, and guided many through tough breast cancer battles. Dr. Bonefas is the Speaker at this year's Everything's Coming Up Roses Luncheon; you don't want to miss this episode!

- She helped care for our youngest ever diagnosed breast cancer patient at The Rose (listen to that episode here) 

- She saw surgical and health care changes over the years, from radical treatments to new options.

- She shares why women’s health care access is still a struggle, especially for the uninsured.

Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Key Questions Answered

1. How did Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas start her medical career and practice?

2. Did Dr. Bonefas always want to be a doctor?

3. Why did Dr. Bonefas choose to specialize in breast surgery?

4. How has breast cancer surgery changed from the early days of Dr. Bonefas’ career?

5. What challenges do uninsured or underinsured breast cancer patients face?

6. How does insurance status impact access to breast cancer care and treatments?

7. Are younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer more frequently now?

8. What are the current recommendations for breast cancer screening?

9. How has radiation treatment for breast cancer evolved?

10. What barriers still exist for women seeking reconstructive surgery after mastectomy?

11. What additional obstacles do women in Texas, particularly uninsured women, face regarding breast health?

12. Why is pharmacy access and drug costs a significant issue for breast cancer patients?

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas 

05:20 From General Surgery to Breast Specialist

07:38 Evolution of Surgical Education

09:58 Evolving Lymph Node Biopsy Techniques

13:29 High Biopsy Costs and Insurance Issues

16:47 Healthcare Access Challenges

20:52 Healthcare Affordability Concerns

24:21 Breast Reconstruction Access Issues

28:41 Critique on Patronizing Reassurance

Being a doctor has its challenges, but imagine starting out when women weren't always accepted in medicine. Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas built a practice, stood up for her patients, and guided many through tough breast cancer battles. Dr. Bonefas is the Speaker at this year's Everything's Coming Up Roses Luncheon; you don't want to miss this episode!
- She helped care for our youngest ever diagnosed breast cancer patient at The Rose (listen to that episode&nbsp;<a href="https://therose.org/podcasts/meet-one-of-the-roses-youngest-diagnosed-patients/">here</a>)&nbsp;
- She saw surgical and health care changes over the years, from radical treatments to new options.
- She shares why women&rsquo;s health care access is still a struggle, especially for the uninsured.
Subscribe to Let&rsquo;s Talk About Your Breasts on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lets-talk-about-your-breasts/id1666101320">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/6o9cXAie2Mfqhq6tQWrClj">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-lets-talk-about-your-brea-107408811/">iHeart</a>, and wherever you get <a href="https://therose.org/podcasts/">your podcasts</a>.
Key Questions Answered
1. How did Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas start her medical career and practice?
2. Did Dr. Bonefas always want to be a doctor?
3. Why did Dr. Bonefas choose to specialize in breast surgery?
4. How has breast cancer surgery changed from the early days of Dr. Bonefas&rsquo; career?
5. What challenges do uninsured or underinsured breast cancer patients face?
6. How does insurance status impact access to breast cancer care and treatments?
7. Are younger women being diagnosed with breast cancer more frequently now?
8. What are the current recommendations for breast cancer screening?
9. How has radiation treatment for breast cancer evolved?
10. What barriers still exist for women seeking reconstructive surgery after mastectomy?
11. What additional obstacles do women in Texas, particularly uninsured women, face regarding breast health?
12. Why is pharmacy access and drug costs a significant issue for breast cancer patients?
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Bonefas&nbsp;
05:20 From General Surgery to Breast Specialist
07:38 Evolution of Surgical Education
09:58 Evolving Lymph Node Biopsy Techniques
13:29 High Biopsy Costs and Insurance Issues
16:47 Healthcare Access Challenges
20:52 Healthcare Affordability Concerns
24:21 Breast Reconstruction Access Issues
28:41 Critique on Patronizing Reassurance

Friday Night Lights, Pink Ribbons: Tiffany Tatum's Playbook for Change at Alief ISD

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