Breast Cancer
"I have a three year old daughter at home, will I get to see her grow up?"
Possibly Not!
Possibly Not, was the answer given to me on February 25, 2002 when I was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. The day after my diagnosis was confirmed I learned I was pregnant. Since my diagnosis I have worked hard to make sure what has happened to me does not happen to another Mother. My message is that no one is too young or too old for breast cancer and stand up for yourself if someone tells you otherwise.
-Charnette Messé
The Story
The Day newspaper of Connecticut chronicled my story in a series of five front page feature articles. Series originally published on The Day.com
- Pregnancy, Cancer, and a Confession - 3/19/2002
- ‘We Have A Fighting Chance’ - 5/14/2002
- For Groton Woman Fighting Cancer, Baby Boy Will Bring Some Joy - 7/07/2002
- Mother With Breast Cancer Gives Birth Prematurely - 9/16/2002
- Woman on a Mission - 5/3/2003
Television
In October of 2002 Charnette was featured on national television as a guest on the Oprah Show.
- Oprah - Breast Cancer Battles - 10/2002
- The "After the Show" for this episode. Charnette and Gabby are in the feature picture.
- Facing Life Head On- 3/2006
- Facing Life Head On one year later - 3/2007
- Defending Life with Father Frank Pavone - 2006
- The Gospel of Life - Living proof of the Link between abortion and breast cancer - 11/2006
Print Media
- Rosie Magazine - My Breast, My Baby - 10/2002
- Los Angeles Times - An enduring debate: cancer and abortion - 3/10/2003
- Physician Magazine - The Messe Family Shares Hope for Healing - March/ April 2003
- World Magazine - Missing the Link - 10/18/2003
- Faith and Family Magazine - Hope and Healing After Abortion - Fall 2003
- Military Officer Magazine - Spouse Spotlight - 6/2005
- Dance Teacher Magazine - A Different Kind of Dance - 9/2007
- Gulf Coast Parent Newspaper - Baby Story, You Still Have to Get The Jungle Pancake - 9/2007
- Gulf Coast Parent Newspaper - Baby Story Continued - 10/2007
- Pensacoa News Journal - Beautiful in Pink - 10/1/2007
Video
- The Abortion Breast Cancer (ABC) Link Video. What every woman has the right to know.
- The 'Silent No More' awareness campaign
Books
- Fighting for our Future by Beth Murphy
- Amazing Grace for Mothers by Emily Cavins & Patti Armstrong
Public Speaking and Other Media Appearances
Messe is also a co-contributor to The Breast Cancer Guide of Connecticut. She has given her testimony on Women's health issues before the senate in the state of Maine, Massachusetts and a committee hearing in the state capital of Connecticut. She has given her testimony before several Senate Offices on Capitol Hill including the office of Senator Rick Santorum.
Her public speaking events include in front of the steps of the Supreme Court in Washington DC, The American Cause, and Yale University. She has been a guest survivor speaker on two occasions at Naval Medical Center San Diego and Naval Healthcare Center New England, Groton in addition to other invited speaking events.
Messe has also met with the former Surgeon General of the Navy and BUMED in Bethesda Maryland to give her testimony and express concerns of breast cancer in young women. She holds a personal letter from President Bush thanking her for her efforts in the fight against breast cancer.