North Dakota Teacher Mentors 200 Women Through Breast Cancer

When Verna Rasmussen heard the word "carcinoma" in March 2014, her brain struggled to process what her doctor was telling her. The retired first-grade teacher from West Fargo, North Dakota, had just been diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer.

After surgery, chemotherapy, a year of Herceptin infusions, and radiation, Rasmussen finished treatment in April 2015. But instead of simply moving on with her life, she asked herself a powerful question: How could something good come from this scary time?

She approached her oncologist at Sanford Roger Maris Cancer Center with an idea. She wanted to help other women facing the same diagnosis, especially those without strong support systems.

The timing was perfect. Dr. Shelby Terstriep was already creating a mentorship program to connect breast cancer survivors with newly diagnosed patients, and Rasmussen joined the first group of mentors when the program launched in 2015.

The support she offers goes beyond what medical professionals can provide. Rasmussen shares practical wisdom like how to ease discomfort when a bra rubs an incision or why making frozen meals before surgery helps during recovery.

"The doctors and nurses are wonderful at giving you information, but most of them have never had breast cancer," Rasmussen explains. "They don't know all the tips and tricks."

She remembers her first mentee vividly. They talked over the phone multiple times before meeting at a coffee shop, where they discovered similar backgrounds and even grandsons with the same name.

Now, 10 years later, Rasmussen has mentored 200 women through their cancer journeys. When her doctor told her the number, she was genuinely surprised.

Sunny's Take

The program Rasmussen helped pioneer has grown to 43 mentors who support 100 to 150 women annually. Program coordinators now match people based on personal circumstances, not just medical details, because meaningful connections often matter more than treatment specifics.

Nurse navigator Megan Rogers has witnessed Rasmussen's steady commitment through every program change. "I have seen how a single interaction with a mentor can completely transform someone's perspective," Rogers says. "When you multiply that by 200 people, it becomes impossible to fully capture the difference she has made."

Life tested Rasmussen's resilience again when both her daughters were diagnosed with cancer in recent years. Her oldest daughter faced ovarian cancer at 39, and her youngest was diagnosed with breast cancer at 41.

The experience of watching her children battle cancer taught Rasmussen new depths of strength. She focused on supporting them while continuing to mentor other women through their own diagnoses.

Today, Rasmussen lives at the lake with her husband of more than 50 years, surrounded by their three children and several grandchildren. She calls it her sanctuary, a place where she recharges between phone calls and coffee meetings with women who need someone who truly understands.

For Rasmussen, the formula is simple: be there, listen, and share what helped you survive and thrive.