Lori England, Cancer Survivor

Four years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, and undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, Lori England, a vivacious and funny teacher at Eisenhower High School, is still as busy as ever. Now she has two new goals: to educate those around her about the importance of preventative medical care and to guide others in discovering the value of embracing a new normal when the unexpected happens.

Lori couldn't sleep late one night in December 2001. "Right there in bed I found a lump and thought I was dreaming. It was probably the size of a nickel but it felt like a bowling ball," she said. She called her doctor the next morning and after a series of in-office tests, she underwent a biopsy within six weeks. She was diagnosed with an aggressive growing Stage 2 breast cancer. "It was such a shock to have it confirmed cancer. I hadn't felt sick at all. If I had been too busy to see my doctor right away, or relied on the fact that I had always been healthy, it would have cut my chances of survival," she said. When Lori walked into North Star Lodge, she said she "felt so instantly calmed and fed on a physical, emotional and spiritual level, I wanted my treatment here. Coming here to North Star was a huge highlight for me: the education, the growth, the adventure and the people" Lori said.

Lori says she had to adjust to a different sense of normal. "I lost my hair with treatment and had less energy. But I am proud to be a survivor and going bald gave me a chance to talk to people," she said. Now I tell my kids and my students, "It's good to dig deep to feel beautiful. The only thing in life we put too much value on - our appearance - is the only thing we're guaranteed to lose." The services at North Star, the Stepping Stones library and the facility as a whole gave us the resources to heal our whole souls," she said. "It's a generous gift from the community and I cannot imagine having my treatment anywhere else," Lori said.