Meet Vivian Vega Schoch

We recently connected with Vivian Vega Schoch and have shared our conversation below.

Vivian, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I have always known I had a purpose. My grandmother always said we are all put on this earth with a purpose and eventually we will figure out what that is. Throughout my life, my purpose has changed. First it was to be Krista’s mother, then it was to be a teacher to minority students that I as a Latino women could relate to. Then came the devastating news. You have Cancer. Never did I think that having Breast cancer would lead me to my next purpose in life, but it did. As that years went by, I realized that there was no support for women who had cancer, no one to talk to. No one like me that had fears they could not speak about openly, There was no social media, no forums. Just me and my fears that I could not speak out loud. This is not in away to dismiss my family. I have the most amazing family. When one of us is in need the Calvary arrives, all hands on deck. Whatever is needed is don’t, compassion care, meals, house is cleaned, food is made. All the needs are taken care of. I could not be more blessed. I have a loving husband two amazing daughters. My oldest Krista has always been by my side, Doctors appointment, keeping a watchful eye on me even when I slept. My Rock. But both Krista and I were traumatized by my cancer diagnoses. We never shared that until years later. It was Krista who really started the healing process for both of us. She started by supporting Breast Cancer research, meeting other people who had Breast Cancer, talking with them and then asking me to talk with them also. I found a community of women who understood my fears. Who I could openly talk to and share my story. Healing of a spiritual nature started. I started to feel more alive and less paralyzed by the fear of reoccurrence and death.

As I entered into a new stage in my journey, I was feeling stronger. You see the cancer had been gone for years but the fears and emotional scars were there. But no one knew no one could see them. As I looked around, I realized that there was nothing in my community to address this for women. So I decided that I would start a support group for women. It wasn’t long with the help of my husband that I started Breast Friends of Pennsylvania. A nonprofit that started by inviting anyone who has been touched by cancer, to meet for a cup of coffee to talk. Women showed up, families came, people needed to talk and unburden their souls. They needed to share their stories and know that others understood their feelings and concerns. It is amazing how the power of words shared with understanding can heal. Can help you move forward when you are feeling stuck. Seeing the need in my community is how I found my purpose. Now women come together and build friendships based on their journey. They process their feelings in an informal group where bonds are formed and understanding is given freely. Through these groups, which have grown to 3 support groups a month, we found other needs. The need to advocate for oneself, the need for wigs and other supplies, which are costly and may not be provided by the hospital or insurance. We expanded our group to be able to help with these needs. As we feel that the financial burden of cancer should be alleviated as much as possible.

My purpose is to help women with cancer get through this difficult time with a little help from their friends. Families have found comfort and a place where they can get support on their terms, when they are ready and feel they need it. Breast Friends of PA is a place where anyone can come and talk, where new families are built and the support is always there. No judgment, no questions asked, you are met where you are in your journey. We also aim at living life, thriving not just surviving. We engage in fun activities, are there to accompany each other to appointments, and just talk. We fight the trauma of cancer one friend at a time. And provide hope through our survivorship and thriving. Cancer gave me a new purpose. The opportunity to help others and make this diagnoses not so isolating and scary. In a place where one can unburden themselves and speak freely things they may not be able to speak to their families for fear of worrying them or upsetting them. This has not been an easy journey. But it is my purpose, my journey.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I bring women together who are battling or have battled cancer. To share their stories and find support. It is exciting to see women building bonds and supporting each other. As I move forward as the Executive Director of Breast Friends of PA. I want to let others know we are here to listen. It is our goal that no women go through cancer alone. And that all feels supported. We have a yearly designer bag bingo as our fundraiser. Are always looking for sponsors and supporters. We use the funds for wigs and chemo baskets, along with Yoga class which are so helpful to get the ladies moving.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Understanding my own fears and feeling of isolation helped me create a group that was open, warm and welcoming. My ability to follow through on any task I set my mind to. My ability to connect with people which is always been part of my upbringing.

My advise is to follow your heart. Be open that your journey could change along the way. That disappointments are natural. But you can never change who you are and what your purpose is. Stay focused on what it is you want to do, create, and work on that.

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

I would spend it making memories with my family. Making sure that everyone I know, knows that they are important, and loved. That Breast friends of Pennsylvania continues to be there for women.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://breastfriendsofpa.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BreastFriendsofpa?notif_id=1743429247508516&notif_t=page_user_activity&ref=notif