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I'm Still Me

Vicki worked at ACE as the Division Coordinator in the Public Affairs Department until November of 2002, where she was placed on sick leave for knee replacement surgery. During a routine pre-operative examination, her physician insisted on sending her for a mammogram, which she had missed that year. It was then that it was discovered that Vicki had Stage One Breast Cancer.

After undergoing a lumpectomy and subsequent treatments, and during a time of spiritual reflection, Victoria decided she would not return to the hustle and bustle of working in the city while living in the suburbs. After re-evaluation of her life and circumstances, she came to the conclusion that she wanted to channel her energies into something more meaningful and rewarding, and something that was cancer-related. Her father passed away from liver cancer at the age of 42, her mother was an 8-year breast cancer survivor, and her younger sister at that time was a 5-year survivor. She had been waging a battle against cancer for a long time!

She opened a post-cancer boutique in December of 2004 and named it "I'm Still Me" because of her belief that cancer changes many things but it never changes who you are. After being cancer-free for three years, she once again faced her worst fears, the cancer had returned. Following a complete mastectomy and months of cancer treatments, you can find her at her boutique, where she is serving the needs of cancer survivors, people suffering from medical hair loss, and those seeking relief from the symptoms of menopause.

Victoria has an extremely busy schedule facilitating the American Cancer Society's Look Good, Feel Better Program; runs the Cancer Support Group at the Fauquier Hospital, does Hispanic Outreach in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area, and is a motivational speaker. She also sits on the Executive Committee of the American Cancer Society's Fauquier Chapter.

Victoria's hard work was rewarded in 2007, when she was awarded the Toyota Tribute to Working Women sponsored by WJLA-TV and the Washington Metropolitan area Toyota Dealers; and the Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Award. She has also been featured on WUSA-TV in a story done by Andrea Roane.

—Submitted by Michelle Montanez
   Procurement & Document Solutions
   GED^_® Testing Service Contact Center Supervisor
   American Council on Education

   and Karen Montanez-Safadi
   Program Coordinator, Corporate Programs
   American Council on Education