Trecia Berry-Schmitt
Teacher & Breast Cancer Fighter
“My name is Trecia Berry-Schmitt and I was diagnosed with breast cancer. “
My sister and my mother both had breast cancer so I had been doing screening breast MRI and mammograms on an alternating 6 month schedule as recommended. After doing a breast MRI on St. Thomas in 2018, I had not heard back regarding my results. I decided to go to St. Thomas Radiology and pick up the results myself. Having familiarity with breast cancer signals because of my mom and sister and much research, I was not comfortable with the findings reported. Since it was a breast MRI result, it was recommended that I go for a mammogram and x-ray. When I called my doctor to share the results, the response was that I should not be alarmed. I decided to go off island to where my sister and mom had been treated as there was no 3D mammogram option on St. Thomas so I had always travelled to the mainland for such. I completed both as directed and they came back clear. I was so relieved…..until I got a call from the radiologist in North Carolina saying that their team felt that I should do a biopsy. I was confused, but went ahead with it.
“That decision may have saved my life — I was diagnosed with breast cancer. So, advocating for one’s own health is extremely important. Do screenings and follow up on results.”
Once learning that I had cancer, I was forced to take a leave of absence from teaching for several months, as the treatment involved surgery and radiation. Despite having insurance, such a diagnosis impacts finances negatively. Additionally, having to be away from my family for treatment was a hardship. In addition to having costs not covered by insurance such as $5,000 out of pocket costs that must be paid per year, there were many other expenses like airline tickets, housing, transportation, a caregiver, etc. In my case, continuous monitoring is necessary. So, each year, I am required to travel to North Carolina twice a year which again poses financial hardships in the form of airline tickets, housing, etc.
After the shock of my diagnosis sunk in, I had the typical feelings of having to get my affairs in order, just in case. I then thought about the costs that I would be facing if I had to pay 20% of all my cancer-related bills. I knew from seeing my family’s bills, that it would be a lot. I definitely experienced anxiety. Charlene Kehoe was my first contact with CSVI. I could not have asked for a better advocate. She advised me on the steps that needed to be taken in order to be considered for assistance. She was extremely helpful and made me feel like she was checking all possible funding sources to assist me. With her help, I was able to pay many of my out-of-pocket expenses.
I found out about Cancer Support VI from a friend who had gotten assistance in the past. CSVI was extremely helpful, providing great assistance with the resources and support that I needed. CSVI continues to assist me with bills incurred as I travel for follow up treatment and monitoring required.
Cancer Support VI is a breath of fresh air to patients and survivors of cancer in the Virgin Islands Community. With limited options for treatment available, CSVI helps to make it possible for Virgin Islanders to be able to travel off-island for life saving care that may not be available on island. It helps cover bills that seem never-ending long after diagnosis and treatment. This organization realizes that those diagnosed with cancer, both with and without insurance, can face unexpected financial ruin without help. In a time when an individual is grieving from such a diagnosis, CSVI offers a light without expecting anything in return!
Help us assist more people like Trecia who are battling breast cancer. Donate today and your donation will be doubled thanks to our matching sponsor!