Meet Marge Morena | Breast Cancer Survivor & Founder of Marge Madness” for 3D Mammograms

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marge Morena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marge, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Marge “Madness” for 3D Mammograms, a North Carolina non-profit was created after it’s founder, Marge Morena was diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of a 3D Mammogram in 2015.

Our primary mission and focus is to provide financial support to the UNC REX Mobile Mammography Unit that administers 3D mammograms and provides follow-on care as needed to North Carolina residents, especially the Black and Hispanic women who lack insurance. To-date, we have financed 24 uninsured Hispanic women with mammogram screenings.

We continue to fundraise to help more women through the generosity of our supporters by their participation in our First Annual Golf Tournament and our Fifth Annual Fundraiser Luncheon where we recognize and celebrate our breast cancer Survivors, Thrivers and Metavivors. Both of these events are held at the amazing Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, NC.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My Journey:
In August 2015, I went for my annual mammogram and for the first time I was given a 3D mammogram. Unfortunately the results concerned my doctors. One month later, I returned for a follow up mammogram and ultrasound and the initial diagnosis was invasive lobule carcinoma in the right breast. One week later, my 93 year-old mother passed away compounding my circumstances, and my whole world came apart. I sought a second opinion and I also had a 21-gene genetic test, the results of which indicated there was no genetic reason for my cancer, even though there was a significant background of breast cancer on my father’s side of the family. In fact my father’s brother died of breast cancer.

I opted for a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. The good news was the cancer had not spread to my lymph nodes and therefore I was very lucky that I didn’t need chemo or radiation. I thank God every day that my recovery has not been bad at all. I do suffer from “survivor’s guilt”, knowing that so many other women have to endure chemo and radiation which is not very easy or pleasant.

As a seven-year breast cancer survivor and thriver, I am very passionate about helping women and men with their breast cancer journey not only through fundraising but also by personal interactions and support. I was blessed during my journey to have an amazing support group starting with my wonderful husband, Rich, family and friends and I truly know the importance of reaching out and lending support wherever needed. I was so happy when I could say “I am breast cancer FREE” in November 2015. I am living life to the fullest – just ask my family and friends who try to keep up with me! I often say “there is life after diagnosis”.

God saved my life by putting amazing doctors and other medical personnel in my life. The journey had been difficult at times and interesting, but I have met a lot of wonderful people who are also experiencing the journey. All the people I have met along my journey agree that even though we each have a personal story, the one thing that is common among all of us is our desire to live a long and quality-filled life – breast cancer FREE!

In 2016, my Second Act began when I founded Marge “Madness” for 3D Mammograms and in 2019, we became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Since 2016, Marge “Madness” has hosted four fundraiser luncheons at Prestonwood Country Club, honoring breast cancer Survivors, Thrivers and Metavivors, and we raised over $16,000 for breast cancer research.

In 2021, Marge “Madness” made its primary focus for its fundraising activities, the UNC REX Mobile Mammography Unit that helps provide mammograms and follow-on care as needed to North Carolina residents, especially for uninsured Black and Hispanic women and those in underserved areas of North Carolina. We have sponsored two free mammogram events at Prestonwood Country Club providing 24 Hispanic ladies with free screenings.

In July 2022, Marge “Madness” held its first Annual Golf Tournament at Prestonwood Country Club and raised $14,000 for the UNC REX Mobile Mammography Unit.

Our next Marge “Madness” Fundraiser Luncheon is scheduled for Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 at Prestonwood Country Club and we are hoping to exceed our previous attendance of 150 women and men and exceed our fundraising goal.

Over these last seven years I have dedicated my life to getting the word out about 3D mammograms and fundraising to support mobile mammograms. By sharing my story, my aim is to bring hope and support to others during their “journey to good health”.

I want to continue working hard to help take the words breast cancer out of our vocabulary so women and men in my family and in everyone’s families won’t have to endure hearing the difficult words “you have breast cancer” ever again.

My passion about 3D mammograms has truly become my new career and Second Act.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my amazing husband, Rich Lewis, Sr.

Rich has been by my side from the first moment of my diagnosis in September 2015. He accompanied me to each and every consultation, test, doctors’ appointments, biopsy and surgeries. All during this time he cooked, cleaned and maintained our home so I could concentrate on healing. Together we discussed my medical options and together we made the decisions that would affect not only my life but his also. He never second-guessed my choices or our decisions and he vowed to support me no matter what the outcome.

One thing I must say about my husband is his dedication to me every day of my life over these last 32 years. He constantly brings me my favorite flowers, 2 yellow roses (one for me and one for him) and since my diagnosis he has added 2 pink roses. Rich likes to say that we are on this journey together – no matter what and that everything will be fine – and I believe him.

Other: If anyone would like to get involved with the Marge “Madness” for 3D Mammograms non-profit foundation, would like to make a tax-deductible donation, or would like to attend the Fundraiser Luncheon or participate in the Golf Tournament, please contact Marge Morena at mm43dmams@gmail.com. Thank you for your support.