Completing a triathlon is an impressive accomplishment for anyone, but after enduring various surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation, this achievement can be life-changing for breast cancer survivors. Aurora Health Care’s 2024 Team Phoenix athletes crossed the finish line at a triathlon on July 28 at Ottawa Lake. We’re happy to share two of our athletes’ stories.
Tiffany Young, 45 of Milwaukee, knew she had breast cancer the moment she felt a lump. Unfortunately, the devastating disease had touched her family many times – her mother, her grandmother, her two aunts. Tiffany says she cried for a week before she called her doctor.
In May 2022, Tiffany was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive and invasive breast cancer that’s more common among Black women. Statistically, she knew Black women don’t seek treatment right away. She too felt like “burying her head in the sand.”
After six months of chemo, Tiffany had a lumpectomy to remove the cancer from her lymph nodes and breast. Then, she endured 30 rounds of radiation.
After her long, difficult treatment and surgery, Tiffany felt compelled to change course in her career and work with patients in a new way. She became an infusion nurse in the oncology department at Aurora Health Care. She now administers chemo to patients who are fighting their own battles with breast cancer.
“I don’t tell all my patients I’m a cancer survivor. If they’re having a hard time, I turn around my name badge. On the back is a photo of me with a bald head. Without saying anything, patients realize I am a survivor,” she shared.
In late 2018, Roxanne Jilk, 48 of Milwaukee, learned she had breast cancer after her annual mammogram. Her treatment plan included a mastectomy and DIEP flap reconstruction surgery.
“It was an intense surgery. They cut me from hip to hip, removed fat, then reconstructed my breast with the tissue,” Roxanne explained.
Team Phoenix
After their cancer journeys, Tiffany and Roxanne were out of shape.
“I was 100% inactive while in treatment. For 18 months I did nothing,” said Tiffany.
“I was a couch potato before my diagnosis,” added Roxanne. “Going through treatment and surgery left me in even worse shape.”
They both learned about Team Phoenix, a group of women cancer survivors who come together during a 14-week program to run, bike and swim. The program helps women move beyond the title of ‘cancer survivor’ and redefine themselves as ‘empowered athletes.’
They signed up – Roxanne for the 2023 team and Tiffany in 2024 – and trained with Leslie Waltke, a physical therapist with Aurora Health Care, who specializes in helping cancer patients and survivors. Leslie is also the co-founder of Team Phoenix.
“It was incredibly difficult to get started,” admitted Tiffany. “But with Leslie’s help and constant encouragement, I was able to rebuild my strength over the weeks and cross the finish line this summer.”
“I was not good at any of the things they wanted me to do,” shared Roxanne. “I could barely swim 25 yards before being out of breath.”
Roxanne was assigned a swim buddy, a former Team Phoenix triathlete, to swim alongside her during trainings and the race. She credits her swim buddy for helping her become a triathlete. More importantly, she said the experience gave her a new outlook on life.
“Crossing the finish line was amazing to do with these women. It gave my confidence back for a distorted body. I’m cut everywhere. I have scars everywhere. I learned it didn’t matter what your body looked like in a swimsuit. It’s so much bigger than that,” said Roxanne.
After her experience with the 2023 team, Roxanne was inspired to become a swim buddy for the 2024 team. And thanks to Team Phoenix, she’s set a goal to compete in other triathlons and races in her community.
How you can help
Team Phoenix is a 14-week training program in which coaches and volunteers offer support and encouragement to transform women cancer survivors into triathletes. To date, the program has supported 430 Team Phoenix survivor triathletes.
Team Phoenix, along with other cancer survivorship initiatives, are only possible through the generosity of donors. You can make a difference for survivors like Tiffany and Roxanne by making a gift today.