Archived Q&A with Dee Dee Ricks

• Q

  

  HBODocs

  We’d like to thank Dee Dee Ricks for taking time out of her busy schedule to join us today. After the premiere of last night’s inspiring documentary film, any thoughts you’d like to share off the bat? Where are you this afternoon?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  I'm in my office, working. I've been answering emails all morning re: requests for help. I am so happy that our message got out and I am thrilled to be in a position to help those most in need.

• Q

  

  jenbiasi

  Hi Dee Dee! So, what's been the immediate response following the premiere on HBO last night?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  There are no words to describe the effect that the documentary made on so many lives. I have received over 2000 emails.....Some asking for help, others just referring to me as an angel. This is the happiest moment of my life next to the births of my boys.

• Q

  

  joshkahn

  It's great that you share your story and inform people about a huge problem in out healthcare system. Now, what should we do to help?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Research is important, advocacy is important, but the only thing that I can get behind, is patient navigation. To simplify Patient Navigation, it is simply taking someone's hand who has a suspicous finding and guiding them through the complexities of our healthcare system UNTIL they are cured.

• Q

  

  Jane Potenzo

  Amazingly brave film! What can we do to support friends and collegues who are battling this disease?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Find them a patient navigator. If they can't find one, call us at the Harold P. Freeman Patient Navigation Institute and we will assign you one.

• Q

  

  Jesse Weinraub

  Hi Dee Dee- In your experience, what are the most effective means of prevention?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  I'm not a medical expert, I can say though that early detection helps....if you have family history, stay on top of screening, despite recommended ages for mammograms, etc.

• Q

  

  L.T. Dinwiddie

  What can I do. What can we all do to help? Where do I go if I want to be of service?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Please visit the site, theeducationofdeedeericks.com. Patient Navigation is the answer. We screened the film to Congress. They were so blown away, they are creating a task force for Patient Navigation to incorporate within the Affordable Care Act.

• Q

  

  joshkahn

  Do you think that the public discourse needs to be refocused? Breast cancer awareness seems to be high, but what about public awareness of how many women can't get the care they need?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Thank you for your question. We have the cure. The issue for me, is most people don't know they have access to treatment. THIS IS A MORAL ISSUE. My job now is to make sure everyone has access to their right to live.

• Q

  

  Amanda Trokan

  Are you still in touch with the Dodsons?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Yes. Aunt Evie and I speak often. I am helping them navigate another family member through treatment.

• Q

  

  ADiPesto

  How have your boys reacted to seeing the film? Were they glad to be involved?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  The boys have been my rock. They have proudly attended every screening, spread the words to their friends and consoled their Mommy when she has been so overwhelmed for the requests for help. I am the luckiest woman alive to be their mother.

• Q

  

  Nancy De Jesus Torres

  You are an inspiration - How was it for you to change your attitude towards a more positive attitude - did it take a while?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Not really. I've always been a half full girl.....if you don't learn from the bad times, you can't enjoy the good times. I do want to say, I've never been happier.

• Q

  

  Moana Casanova

  Will there be another chance to catch the film on HBO?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Yes. HBO on demand or HBO Go. Also we are rescreening several times which I am posting on my facebook.

• Q

  

  Terry Rockwell-Brehm

  When you didn't know that you had cancer, did you think about the poor and uninsured? It is my hope that your story is brought to your colleagues, so that those with the money and power can motivate washington to push for universal healthcare.

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  No, I did not. That's why I say cancer, next to my children, is the best thing that happened to me. I have taken my message to congress, the senate, clearly via HBO, the world. I am also planning over the next two years to screen my film to organizations that service the underinsured and uninsured to encourage them to take a moment and be selfish, worry about their health.

• Q

  

  ShoshannaS

  Are there a lot of people who volunteer to be patient navigators? What is the process like?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  We need an army of navigators. Patient Navigation has to become a household word. The process is simple. We train individuals from the community who understand the needs of the community we are serving. Cultural, Language and socioeconomic barriers are what we train them to overcome. It's a low tech solution to timely access to treatment.

• Q

  

  jenbiasi

  In your experience with the HP Freeman Patient Navigation Institute, how have you seen Patient Navigation affect the lives of those with Cancer?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  In Arkansas, I donated $300K to a mammovan. We park it in the walmart lots. We have screened 3000 women. We have caught and treated 20 women stage two and higher. It works only because we have a navigator on the mammovan.

• Q

  

  Jamie Silverman

  What made you decide to document your battle with cancer on film?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  My boys were 2 and 5 at the time of diagnosis. I was scared I was going to die. I wanted to film our moments together so that they would always remember me.

• Q

  

  L.T. Dinwiddie

  I feel so blessed to have gotten an opportunity to get to hear you and Cynthia's story. As a "dumb male" I had had no idea. Were you nervous AT ALL at the outcome of having the whole world know your story on such an intimate level. You seem fearless.

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Yes, I was scared to death. But as a dumb male, I hope you were able to now understand what a woman goes through and experiences when diagnosed. For the record, I love my dumb males.....

• Q

  

  Vicci Carmichael Doyle

  Have you gotten any true and positive interest from Senators or Congress members regarding helping the poor with cancer in finding treatment? If so, can you tell us who is most vocal on helping this situation improve for the poor and health care?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Congressman Steve Israel, Co Chair of the House Cancer Caucas. I encourage everyone to email him and tell him to move Patient Navigation through to the Affordable Care Act.

• Q

  

  Amanda Trokan

  How is your health now?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  I've never been better, physically or emotionally. I juice, I do pilates, I worship and appreciate every second I'm alive.

• Q

  

  April Capo-Lenoir

  Is breast cancer really ever cured, what are your thoughts, can we be cured? you made the comment "its the cancer or chemo that will get you" that was disturbing to me. Do you beleive that?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  Chemo definitely shortens your life. That being said, if you are diagnosed stage one, you have 100% chance of survival. If you are diagnosed stage four, you have 0% chance of surviving.

• Q

  

  HBODocs

  That’s all the time Dee Dee has for today’s Q&A. A big “thank you” to Dee Dee for joining us. Do you have anything else you’d like to add before we conclude?

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  Dee Dee Ricks says:

  I wasn't proud of the I was when I was diagnosed. If there is anything I want to share with everyone, it's never to late to change. In the ammortal words of Ghandi, be the change you want to see.