Ann Romney was keynote speaker at annual breast cancer luncheon

AMERICAN FORK, Utah – October 9, 2018 – Special guest speaker Ann Romney spoke to 200+ breast cancer survivors at a special luncheon hosted by Dr. Mark Jensen, board-certified plastic surgeon in American Fork, Utah, on October 8, 2018 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm.

In October, women all over the world recognize breast cancer awareness month as a time of healing, celebration and remembering. For many Utah women and patients of Jensen, it is a time to pay it forward to future breast cancer patients.

“Breast cancer survivors learn and experience so much during their fight against cancer; these women can be a caring and valuable resource to recently diagnosed breast cancer patients,” said Jensen. “My wife and I created the Pay-It-Forward program because we wanted to give back and we wanted to facilitate a way for my former breast cancer patients to give back as well.”

Each year during the annual luncheon, attendees put together care packages for Jensen’s future breast cancer patients. These bags include a small gift from local businesses, as well as cards with a personal, encouraging message from luncheon attendees who have faced a similar breast cancer journey.

“Every patient has a unique life story of courage that inspires us,” Jensen explains. “We wanted to find a way to recognize what they have overcome. The bond we have with these patients runs deep, having walked with them through an extremely difficult time. This luncheon is a great event to see them now healthy and strong.”

This year’s event included keynote speaker Ann Romney, a breast cancer survivor. “My diagnosis with breast cancer has been one of my toughest teachers. As I’ve traveled the country I’ve found that I’m far from alone in this feeling. It’s been a humbling experience to share my story with women across America and hear them open their hearts to me about their battles with the disease.”

Romney is the two-time best-selling author of “The Romney Family Table” and “In This Together.” She is also the global ambassador for the Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Romney also sits on the Board of Directors of Charity Vision, which focuses on empowering local physicians in the developing world to bring sight to those most in need.

In 1998, Romney was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She has volunteered much of her time to raise awareness of this disease. By raising the profile of MS and funds for advocacy and research, she is determined to make a difference in the lives of people who suffer from the disease.