I met Cathy Draper at the University of the Pacific 3rd Annual Dental Hygiene Conference on Oral Cancer in 2010. Cathy connected to my story on a few levels but especially because her sister passed away from cancer at a young age, and Cathy was the primary caregiver for the last few months of her life.
We met again a few months later at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session in Las Vegas. She introduced me to executive officers of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association. That connection led to a speaking engagement this past June at the CDHA House of Delegates in Santa Clara.
In May, 2011 Cathy arranged for me to speak at the Stanford Cancer Center Head & Neck Support Group and for the dental hygiene students at Foothill College.
On October 13th, through Cathy’s efforts, I’ll be speaking at the Foothill College Dental Hygiene Alumni Day.
Cathy is an extremely busy woman. She teaches at Foothill College, is the editor of the CDHA Journal and volunteers at the Stanford Hospital Health Library (which she has been doing for 18 years). Amidst her busy schedule, she finds time to champion my work by sharing my name and information with dentists, dental hygienists and conference planners. I forgot to mention she also has four sons!
Cathy always makes time to maintain our friendship. I’m honored to call myself a friend of Cathy Draper.
Comments 1
Hi Eva,
Mrs. Draper is such an amazing woman. She is non-stop, and always putting herself before others. I really look up to her and hope that one day I will be at least half as good as she is not only as a dental hygienist, but as a human being.
Looking forward to seeing you again in October,
Carmen Arellano