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When people ask Bobbi de Córdova-Hanks about her
credentials she tells them, "I'm working on my M.S. That stands for 'Master
of Survival.'"
For Bobbi -- and for audiences from coast to coast -- that's good news. It wasn't humorous in 1986 when Bobbi was diagnosed with breast cancer. "At first I was scared. Then I was mad. Then I decided that if life was going to hand me this lemon I was going to make lemonade out of it." She hasn't stopped since. |
| Bobbi's talk, "Funny, You Don't Look Like
a Cancer Survivor." has brought laughter and renewed hope to thousands
of men and women as they make the transition from "Why Me?" to "Why Not
Me?"
But Bobbi's messages for beating the odds in life's daily struggle go well beyond cancer survivorship. With equal vivacity and good humor, Bobbi talks about self motivation and breathing new life into your life...how not to run for political office...how to communicate across cultural chasms...how to woo and win over the news media...and how to talk to your doctor. |
| A one-time touring jazz musician (she really
does have a degree in music besides her "M.S."), Bobbi is as comfortable
mingling with a group of 50 as she is in front of an audience of 500 or
going on radio or TV before thousands or millions.
Not long after her mastectomy in 1986, Bobbi formed a grassroots breast cancer support group called Bosom Buddies. Today Bosom Buddies is recognized as one of the most active breast cancer support and education groups in the nation. In 1993, Bobbi and Bosom Buddies were featured in a nationwide PBS television documentary, "The Breast Care Test," hosted by Jane Pauley and funded by the Avon Foundation. |
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| Bobbi was a member of the board
of directors of the National Coalition
for Cancer Survivorship for many years, chairing it's communications
commitee. Multitalented and multilingual (English, Spanish, and French),
Bobbi has also been a magazine editor, eaged an uphill battle against a
16-year incumbent in the Florida Senate, and served as news bureau manager
for the Florida Community College at Jacksonville, while hosting and producing
as award winning cable television series, "The Jacksonville Connection."
Most of the time audiences agree with what Bobbi has to say. Sometimes they don't. But when you invite Bobbi to speak to your group or appear on your show, you can be absolutely certain of one thing: No one in the audience will go to sleep. |
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"Funny, You Don't Look Like a Cancer Survivor" | |
"Take the Pain Out of Talking to Your Doctor" |
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"Communicating Across Cultures: Creating Trust...Not Suspicion" | |
"Breathing New Life Into Your Life" |
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"How to Start and Nurture a Grassroots Cancer Support Group | |
"What to Do When the Doctor Says, 'I'm Sorry I Have to Tell You This...'" |
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"Keeping Abreast - Every Woman's Key to Cancer Awareness" | |
"How Not to Run for the Florida Senate (or Any Other Political Office)" |
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"Matzoh Balls, Enchiladas and Black-Eyed Peas - Life with a Jewish Mother, an Hispanic Name and a Husband in Love With the Land of Cotton" | |
"Massaging the Media - Getting your Story on the 6 O'Clock News and in the Morning Newspaper" |
"Your talk on cancer survivorship should be an absolute 'must' for everywoman -- and man -- over the age of 21. In 30 minutes, you provided more insight -- and offered more hope -- than I ever thought possible."
Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D.
Professor & Director
Experimental Gynecology-Endocrinology
MDAnderson Cancer Center
"Bobbi was the keynote speaker at the Second Annual Conference of theColorado Breast Cancer Coalition. Her remarks were inspiring, poignant, andhumorous. For many, she was the highlight of the conference. Her depth of experience with many phases of cancer makes her a wonderful spokesperson for all types of audiences: from those who have had only a professional involvement with cancer, to survivors, to the lay public in general."
Ann Wylie Weiher
State Coordinator
Colorado Breast Cancer Coalition
"Thanks for your presentation on 'Communicating Across Cultures: Valuing Diversity in Volunteers.' Our members enjoyed the interactive aspect of your workshop; actual experience seemed to be the key in gaining insight into the difference in others. Your professionalism, ethnicity and rich life experiences brought just the right combination of sensitivity and realism."
Krista Herbert
Volunteer Jacksonville
"I can't begin to thank you enough for your participation in our second National Cancer Survivor's Day. The presentation with you and your goddaughter was certainly an inspiration, verified by the standing ovation, applause, and tearful hugs at its conclusion. I know you had some concerns regarding presenting in Spanish and English, but it resulted in a powerful message for all attendees. I know you could repeat the same presentation in any otherlanguage now."
Karen R. Stephenson
Director, Oncology Services
Palmetto General Hospital
"Thank you for your outstanding participation in the 6th Biennial Symposiumon Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer. Your Pre-Symposium Workshop was an unqualified success and your program demonstration workshop was very well received by the attendees."
Lovell A. Jones, Ph.D. Armin D. Weinberg, Ph.D.
Co-Course Director
"On behalf of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship's First National Congress on Cancer Survivorship Program Committee, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for participating in this historic event in Washington, D.C. Your involvement, and that of the other speakers, has given both NCCS and the survivorship movement even more credibility and prominence than we had previously achieved."
Elizabeth Clark, PhD Julia Rowland, PhD Susan
Scherr
NCCS President Congress Program Deputy Director
Congress Program Committee Co-Chair
Committee Co-Chair
Bobbi and her husband Jerry Hanks
also present, "In Sickness and in Health: A Survivor and Caregiver Tell
Their Story of Tears and Hope." They are available individually or as a
team.
If you would like to invite Bobbi to speak
to your organization or appear on your radio or television show, she can
be reached by writing, calling or faxing her at the address and numbers
below. You can also email her directly by using one of the email links.
WHEN LIGHTNING STRUCK TWICE in the life of Jerry
Hanks, he gained a unique insight into survivorship from a caregiver's
perspective. His topic, "Lightning Strikes Twice: A Caregiver Tells How
to Survive the Storm," reflects on his experience with the loss of one
wife to cancer and his subsequent marriage to Bobbi de Córdova,
and her diagnosis of late stage breast cancer. Jerry's "10 Tips for Coping
as a Cancer Caregiver" provide meaningful coping skills for anyone supporting
someone they love.
Jerry is a professional writer, editor and writing
consultant as well as a nationally accredited public relations consultant.
Jerry never dreamed these skills would take him on the speakers' circuit
reflecting on his experience as a cancer caregiver. Eleven years ago when
his wife Bobbi founded Bosom Buddies, a support and education program for
survivors of breast cancer, he found himself in a totally new arena. His
journey through breast cancer with Bobbi has encouraged him to share his
thoughts and hopes with others.
Jerry Hanks and Bobbi de Córdova-Hanks
carry the gift of survivorship through their presentation, "In Sickness
and in Health: A Survivor and Caregiver Tell Their Story of Tears and Hope."
Their presentation delivers a powerful message of practical guidelines
and inspiration. It should be heard by all cancer survivors, their supporters
and health care partners.
Bobbi's availability is limited only by her schedule as the director of Bosom Buddies. Please rest assured of her sincere interest in accommodating your request.
Other web pages you may want to visit:
