SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — October brings breast cancer awareness to the forefront, but for a group of women working at Mica Peak High School, the fight against the disease is personal and ongoing.
Five female staff members, Geri Bacheller, Mary Ann Ehrgott, Lynne Wilberding, Jan Jorg and Rebecca Juhnke-West, have each received a breast cancer diagnosis. What began as individual battles has evolved into a collective support system that extends far beyond their job duties.
These women don’t just work together; they are close friends who understand each other in a way others cannot.
Bacheller, the school’s head secretary, was diagnosed earlier this year and continues to battle the disease. For her, the group has been transformative. “It was hopeful for me,” Bacheller said. “It gave me some hope and I learned a lot from them and I had a better understanding.”
The women have even created custom shirts to symbolize their solidarity and support for one another — a visible reminder of their collective strength.
Each woman’s path to diagnosis was unique. Some discovered their cancer through routine screenings, while others noticed symptoms themselves. Despite these different experiences, they share a unified message for others: get screened.
“Get screened because that’s how they found my cancer,” said Rebecca Juhnke-West.
Bacheller reinforced the importance of early detection, noting that her cancer might have gone undetected without a screening. “Don’t put it off,” she said. “With mine in particular, I would’ve never felt it.”
The emotional support the group provides extends beyond shared experiences. Mary Ann Ehrgott, an occupational therapist at the school, described the practical value of having confidants who truly understand. “If I’m having a day where I just don’t understand why I’m feeling this way, you know I have someone that I can talk to,” Ehrgott said.
For Lynne Wilberding, a math, art and ELA teacher, the group provides something deeper. “It just gives you a sense of belonging,” Wilberding said.
Jan Jorg, a paraeducator, has been in recovery for a long time and now focuses on supporting the others in their current battles. “It means a lot and you know, like I said, I’m kind of a veteran at it,” Jorg said. “It’s been a while so I can just support. I want to support the women that are going through it now as best as I can.”
The bond these women have formed transcends typical workplace relationships. They understand the physical and emotional toll of cancer treatment in ways that only those who have lived through it can comprehend. Their collective presence serves as a reminder that no one has to face this battle alone.
Mary Ann Ehrgott emphasized what breast cancer awareness means to the broader community. “It’s happening to our wives, our sisters, our moms and that we can honor them and support them,” she said.
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