Kathy Baker: Diane M. Hardesty’s compelling Lynch Syndrome previvor story
Founder and Executive Director of
“As I traveled the country with 3-time Emmy Award-winning videographer John Brune capturing videos for My Faulty Gene’s Family Gene Share project, I met many kindred spirits. Our common bond was born from all of us having been impacted by hereditary cancer (or in one case, a de novo germline mutation) in some way.
With just 2 of our initial 17 videos left to share, I intentionally saved Diane M. Hardesty’s particularly compelling Lynch Syndrome previvor story to share late in our rollout.
Diane is a kindred spirit in more ways than most. We were born less than a month apart, our husbands are 13 years our senior, we are both boy moms with no daughters, our faith in God directs our paths, and genetic testing was lifesaving for both of us.
Diane gets it. She understands and believes in my vision for the non-profit I founded 4-1/2 years ago—so much so that she often covers her own expenses when she volunteers to help at conference exhibits. With her knowledge and experience as a Lynch Syndrome patient with 2 Lynch mutations, and my experience as an HBOC Syndrome patient, we work well together. I was both pleased and honored when Diane recently accepted my invitation to join My Faulty Gene’s Advisory Board as a patient advocate.
I’m not going to say much about Diane’s story—she tells it best. I encourage everyone to take 4 minutes and 2 seconds and watch Diane for yourself.
Whether you are a provider needing to be reminded about the difference germline genetic testing can make for your patients, or someone with untested family members that need to be encouraged to test, or you’ve been referred for genetic testing and you keep putting it off—watch Diane’s story.
Genetic testing saves lives!
Link to Diane’s video.”