Today we’d like to introduce you to Mimi Tran.
Hi Mimi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
It all started with the news that I have cancer. Triple Negative Breast Cancer, the most aggressive type of breast cancer. My family was in shock, but I knew I had support and the money to cover my deductible so I could start treatment. During my months of chemotherapy, I felt a higher power guiding me. People are dying because they lack the resources to start therapy and medication. At that moment, I decided to do something to help the Cancer Foundation.
While sitting in my chemo chair, I began a conversation with my husband about starting a foundation to assist cancer patients. He thought it was crazy, especially since I was going through chemo, working full-time, and volunteering with six board of directors. I believed it was important to help those who can’t help themselves.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
At the beginning, everything went smoothly as I gathered 21 friends and family members for a two-hour brainstorming session to create a mission statement for the Me Squared Cancer Foundation. My friend Veronica Darnell and I chose the name “Me Squared” to represent the foundation’s mission instead of using my own name.
However, challenges emerged when the board members began to take the organization in different directions. To address this, we streamlined the Board of Directors to focus on dedicated volunteers.
Nearly six years later, we consistently raise funds to allocate 80% of our resources to assist newly diagnosed adult cancer patients in the DFW area with their financial and emotional needs.
To get more information on Me Squared cancer Foundation, please visit mesquaredcancerfoundation.org.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Texas Regional Bank started in South Texas 17 years ago. They are few regional institution that have all capabilities. The bank started with Commercial, Banking, Trust and Estate, Private Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, and Mortgage. My job is as the Market President for Southlake. We work with clients to help with their personal and commercial needs. What separates Texas Regional Bank from other banks is the people that you work with. It is very important to me that we give everyone white glove service
Texas Regional Bank was established in South Texas 17 years ago and is one of the few regional institutions that offers a comprehensive range of services. The bank specializes in Commercial Banking, Trust and Estate Services, Private Banking, Wealth Management, Insurance, and Mortgage solutions.
As the Market President for Southlake, my role is to assist clients with their personal and commercial banking needs. What sets Texas Regional Bank apart from other banks is the quality of our people. Providing everyone with exceptional, white-glove service is very important to me and the bank.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
People react differently to cancer. In my 50 years of life, I have experienced a wide range of emotions upon learning about my diagnosis. The news of my cancer wasn’t as shocking as it might have been, as I had a sense that something bad was looming. Although I didn’t know exactly what it would be, deep down, I felt that things couldn’t be perfect after five decades. My husband was thriving in his pediatric practice, I was doing well in my private banking career, and both of our children were about to graduate in Dentistry and Medicine. Yet, I still sensed that something negative was on the horizon.
When my friend and my OB-GYN came to my house to inform me that I had breast cancer, I surprisingly felt a sense of relief, as I had feared that it would be something worse.
I soon realized that battling cancer, enduring six months of chemotherapy, multiple surgeries, radiation, and a hysterectomy was an incredibly tough journey. To complicate matters, 2020 also marked the start of the pandemic. Reflecting on that time now, 2021 seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye. I didn’t fully understand that I was experiencing depression, particularly due to the menopause that followed my hysterectomy, compounded by the loss of estrogen, which caused various strange symptoms in my body.
Thankfully, with the love and support of my husband, good friends, and the right therapists, I am much better now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mesquaredcf.org
Image Credits
All pictures were taken by family members:
Post Chemo- growing back my hair – casual pictures
Picture with Christmas Tree before Chemo Started
1st Me Squared Cancer Foundation event raising over $35K
My tennis team went to national the year I was going through chemo. I got the chance to play doubles with a very good friend!
My son graduated from Dental School.
My husband and I out of town before Chemo started.
50th Birthday was a milesone. Picture with my family.
Me in a chemo, with the cold hat, trying to keep my hair. The process did not work. I lost my hair in the end.
My Daughter’s college graduation.
