Tresha Sell

When Tresha Sell volunteered to lead the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) Foundation’s fundraising campaign to bring the latest mammography technology to the hospital, she knew it would save lives; she just never imagined it would be hers.

It all started at a Foundation board meeting in 2009 when Tresha and Gerry Shepherd raised their hands to co-chair a new fundraising campaign for SYVCH to support the purchase of a 2D mammography machine — the most advanced breast cancer diagnostic tool at the time. Thanks to the co-chairs’ persuasive passion and generous donor support, the Pink Ribbon Campaign raised $500,000, and the new 2D mammography machine was acquired and began operating at the hospital in March 2011. Tresha was honored to be the first woman screened using the new diagnostic tool, encouraging other women to follow.

Years later in 2018, technology had advanced and 3D mammography was now considered the best standard of care. This imaging test combines a lower dose of radiation and multiple images to create a three-dimensional picture of the breast. Duty called and the dynamic duo — Tresha and Gerry — reunited as co-chairs of the 3D Mammography Campaign, along with a committee of 12. The enthusiastic group enlisted community support to raise $590,000 in just 18 months to purchase the 3D machine.

At the ribbon-cutting ceremony in December 2019, Tresha remembers learning that one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. She looked at the women around in the room and wondered, “Who would be the one?”

For nearly 20 years, Tresha had always been diligent in scheduling her annual mammogram at SYVCH. But 2022 had been a hectic year, so she put off making her appointment. In early September of that year, she came to the hospital for her mammogram, this time performed with the new 3D technology. When her doctor got the results, she was called back for an additional scan which prompted the radiologist to order a biopsy.

“The biopsy confirmed I had early-stage breast cancer, but this is when it is most treatable,” said Tresha. “I felt very grateful that SYVCH had a state-of-the-art mammogram machine.” She started treatment in October 2022 during National Breast Cancer Awareness month and reflected, “I never dreamed I would be a beneficiary of our own 3D Mammography Campaign.”

From the very start, Tresha felt the extraordinary care and compassion from Cottage’s highly skilled medical team. Today, Tresha is cancer-free. She remains an active SYVCH Foundation board member and thinking about the future she says with conviction, “When the next greatest technology comes around, I promise you the SYVCH Foundation Board will raise the funds to bring it to our hospital. No questions. No doubt.”

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