BRA Day: MTN’s Lisa Cummins’ Story
Lisa Cummins works at MTN as a Quality Assurance Coordinator. She is also a two-time tissue recipient.
A closer look at how cancer and breast reconstruction changed the life of Lisa Cummins
In recognition of Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day, MTN Quality Assurance Coordinator II Lisa Cummins, ASQ-CQIA, spoke about her journey with breast reconstruction.
Cancer would change life for Lisa Cummins not once, but three times. Little did she know how her cancer treatment and recovery would change the lives of countless others since her initial surgery in 2001.
Lisa’s first fight with cancer was against a rare form of cancer in her uterus. Her treatment included a hysterectomy and five rounds of chemo. She was excited to celebrate being cancer-free at the five-year mark of her recovery in 2006, but doctors found that she had breast cancer. This unexpected news brought the diagnosis of an early stage of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Lisa battled breast cancer with intense radiation treatment and surgery for breast reconstruction with LifeCell tissue she received.
“At my five-year anniversary appointment for breast cancer — the golden mark where cancer patients can consider themselves true survivors — they found a second breast cancer,” Lisa said. It was 2011 and her doctors confirmed the cancer had returned in the same breast. It was a more aggressive cancer, and surgeons gave Lisa the option of a mastectomy.
“I did not want to go through this again and had the double mastectomy,” she said. Lisa underwent breast reconstruction, becoming a donor tissue recipient for the second time. The entire reconstruction process took 18 months. Today, Lisa proudly celebrates 12-, 17-, and 22-year milestones of being cancer-free.
Giving Back
Lisa is enthusiastic about sharing her story and is not shy about talking to others. She tells her story at hospitals in the Kansas City metro, at Midwest Transplant Network’s Donate Life Legacy Walk, at conferences and live events to help others with their breast cancer journeys, all to support the lifesaving impact of tissue donation.
“I was never able to write to the donor family after either reconstruction,” she said. “This is one reason I give back to others by sharing my story. And tissue donor families don’t get the feedback that they save lives with tissue donation.”
“During a Royals game, I talked to a delightful man in our group who is on a heart transplant waiting list,” Lisa said. “I told him about my experience, and we really connected. The man
sitting in front of us was the recipient of a liver transplant and is also a volunteer for Midwest Transplant Network.”
Lisa’s story and the work of MTN is also shared by others in her circle. Her boyfriend, Kevin, was wearing a green ribbon at a work event where Sluggerrr, the Royals’ mascot, noticed the ribbon and asked about it. “Kevin explained that the green ribbon is a badge of honor, a symbol of giving hope and sharing life through organ, eye and tissue donation,” Lisa said.
When her son was six years old, his favorite TV series focused on police, firefighters, paramedics and ordinary people as they responded to real 911 emergency phone calls. During one episode he looked at her and said, “Do you know what I want to be when I grow up? I want to be an organ donor.”
His comments warmed her heart and once her children had their learner’s permit to drive, they checked the box to become organ donors.
What are the important things Lisa wants people to know and take seriously? “Do not skip appointments with your doctors,” she said. “When you become a registered organ donor, you need to talk to your family about this decision.”
With a sparkle in her eyes, Lisa added one more thing to the list. “I’ve found the best way to deal with any type of news from your doctor is to dress up for the appointment. Dressing up makes you feel great and makes it easier to deal with any type of news from your physician.”
MTN is her heart
As a Quality Assurance Coordinator Lisa knows she has an impact on donor heroes. “My job follows the recovery of tissue; obtaining all medical records needed current and past, and ensuring that all the I’s are dotted and T’s are crossed.”
Lisa has worked at MTN for 42 years. She started as a Receptionist and transitioned to different roles before working in Quality Assurance.
“I am grateful for MTN’s benefits,” Lisa said. “MTN paid for all my education.” She attended Johnson County Community College and earned an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts graduating in 2005. She completed online classes at Northcentral University in Prescott Valley, Arizona, graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Business Administration specializing in management. Lisa’s graduation date was extra special as it was the same date as her 30-year anniversary at MTN on Nov. 8, 2012.
Lisa is passionate about her work at MTN. Sharing a megawatt smile she said, “MTN is my heart and who I am.”
