ACROSS THE YEARS: ST. JUDE CARES FOR 3 GENERATIONS OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS

Cathy Shircliff, shown with her daughters Kristin and Lindsay, has pledged $10,000 toward the hospital's $4.1 million 3D mammography project, which will allow St. Jude to replace its current equipment with six 3D digital tomosynthesis units.

The year was 1988, and 34-year-old Cathy Shircliff was a happily married mother of two young daughters, working as a radiology technician. Then she received the news no woman wants to hear: You have breast cancer.

Unfortunately, early onset breast cancer-which is typically much more aggressive than breast cancers occurring after menopause-is all too common in Cathy's family. In the 1960s, her mother, Arlene, was diagnosed at the age of 39. Cathy's older daughter, Kristin, was diagnosed a few years ago at the age of 36.

"I can tell you that nothing in the world can prepare a mother for having a child go through this experience," said Cathy.

Thankfully, St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California, was here when these women needed it most, with all three diagnosed and/or treated at the hospital.

Cathy, executive director of Imaging, Non-Invasive Cardiology and Breast Services at St. Jude, is deeply committed to the role that philanthropy plays in the hospital's ability to provide the best health care possible to our community. She recently pledged $10,000 toward the hospital's $4.1 million 3D mammography project, which will allow St. Jude to replace its current equipment with six 3D digital tomosynthesis units, the most advanced mammography technology available.

The state-of-the-art technology significantly improves breast cancer detection rates by using an X-ray arm that sweeps over the breast, taking multiple, high definition images in seconds. These images allow physicians to detect cancer at the earliest stages possible, resulting in better outcomes and survival rates.

Cathy is committing a gift to this project for the benefit her family, friends and neighbors. "In light of our family history, it's very possible that my other daughter, Lindsay, could receive a breast cancer diagnosis one day," said Cathy. "By helping bring this latest technology to St. Jude, we ensure that every woman who comes in for a mammogram-including my daughters or my granddaughters-has the best chance possible for an early diagnosis and a full and complete recovery."

To date, $1.5 million has been raised toward the $4.1 million 3D mammography project. To learn more about how you can help St. Jude bring the most advanced breast imaging technology to our community, please contact St. Jude Memorial Foundation at 714-992-3033.