Judith Lese learned a difficult lesson about the major importance of everyone understanding their breast health. After feeling excruciating pain in her breasts, Lese’s doctor, not feeling a lump, advised her to take pain medicine and wait a week to see if the pain disappeared. The doctor also ordered a mammogram.
Lese was diagnosed with breast cancer, resulting in surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. The pain, her breast surgeon advised, was the tumor pulling on the tissue. “I was extremely proactive in advocating for myself and I urge everyone else to do so,” she says.
In 2003, as a result of her personal experience, Lese started her impactful Silver Spring-based grassroots nonprofit organization, The Judith A. Lese Breast Cancer Foundation.
Her goals: to help others and their families gain vital healthcare knowledge; to support and promote research; and to become familiar with resources for breast healthcare opportunities and cutting-edge treatment. The foundation’s annual mailing consistently provides informative educational material.
Now 77 years-old, Lese’s visionary goals, supported by two major fundraising events in October, “continue to provide funds predominantly for research, and also for education and medical equipment.” She appreciates that her advocacy has always Involved her loving husband of more than 50 years, Laurence Lese.
The nonprofit’s two major events are the Annual Fundraiser Dinner Banquet at Maggiano’s Little Italy in Washington, D.C. on October 9, and the Annual Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer at the Capital Crescent Trail in Bethesda on October 27.
Early on, Lese wanted to design a logo to personify her experience. Those images represent “tears” and stretched arms to show “hugs.” These emotions permeate life from the initial diagnosis to recovery and cure. “In the beginning, tears just fall and hugs insulate. And at the end of one’s medical treatments – tears are of joy, accomplishment, achieving a goal – completing treatments – and hugs feel so good to verify, ‘I did it! Yes, I am still here; still alive to move on. I’m a survivor!’”
While October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lese wants everyone – locally, nationally, and internationally – to care about the important mission 24/7, 12 months a year.
She is proud that 100 percent of the foundation’s funds are disbursed to breast cancer research institutions and various other impactful projects.
“I am extremely pleased that the major focus of the money that we have provided during the past 20 years has been utilized for selected breast cancer research, and for seed money and funds to the Sullivan Breast Center, towards equipment and a geneticist position. In past years, it has contributed to funds helping the uninsured and underserved.” Lese emphasizes that “with research, we can bring about longevity and cures.”
The former teacher of 49 years (48 in Montgomery County Public Schools), retired in 2022, but has remained a nurturer. She always worked “to help children learn that they can become very successful with their educational and personal growth.” Lese taught students that no matter the challenges or difficult situations in their lives, they should strive to do their best, and persevere through difficult times, always reaching towards support services when help is needed.
Among the local cancer centers that have benefitted from The Judith Lese Foundation are the Sullivan Breast Center at Sibley Memorial Hospital, and the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Center for breast cancer research; as well as breast cancer research and clinical trials at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle.
Lese is involved in designating funds to specifically related breast cancer research issues and researchers.
“In the beginning, I told my doctors that I wish I knew more,” she says. “They continued not only to support me, but they were also generous to the Foundation; by providing their commitment, invaluable assistance, and participation on the Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board.”
Lese’s vision is to grow her foundation so she can continue to contribute more in the pursuit of education and cure for breast cancer. “Since education, not health care, is my vocation, I knew that I couldn’t go to medical school to pursue this,” she says. “But I felt compelled to do whatever I could to help save other people’s lives.”
For further information. contact:
Judith Lese
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
The Judith A. Lese Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc.
16012 Chester Mill Terrace
Silver Spring, Maryland 20906
Email: lesecancerfdn@aol.com
Website: www.judithalese.org