At The Stacy Goldstein Breast Center at Overlook Medical Center, we know that one moment can change everything.
For Karen, that moment came during a breast cancer fundraising walk in Point Pleasant, NJ. Surrounded by a sea of pink shirts and ribbons, she was struck by how many women had faced breast cancer.
“Something hit me,” she said. “If it can happen to all these women, it can happen to me.”
That walk inspired Karen to schedule the mammogram she had been putting off for nearly four years. The results were devastating: HER2-positive breast cancer—an aggressive form of the disease. But because she acted when she did, it was caught at stage two—just in time.
Karen was quickly referred to Dr. Bonni Guerin, Director of Breast Services at Overlook, and began treatment immediately. She endured 18 weeks of chemotherapy, two hospitalizations, and a double mastectomy performed by Dr. Marc Mandel, Section Chief of General Surgery. It was a grueling journey, but Karen never gave up.
“I tried to stay positive by focusing on my family, friends, and the kids at the elementary school where I work,” she said. “But there were days when I found myself losing hope.”
Today, Karen is cancer-free—and filled with gratitude.
“I’m here because of this place. I’m walking, I’m living, and I’m grateful.”
Last year alone, the Breast Center performed over 10,000 screening mammograms. To meet growing demand, we’re expanding—adding new imaging equipment, hiring more staff, and remodeling our space to serve thousands more women each year.
And we’re not stopping there. With your support, we’re investing in earlier detection technologies, expanding survivorship programs, and launching a women’s imaging fellowship.
Karen’s story is one of many—and it’s made possible by a strong community of support. That support ensures every woman has access to the care she needs, when she needs it most.
Together, we’re saving lives—one screening, one story, one woman at a time.
