CATHY TOBIN
Breast Cancer Advocate and Volunteer
Cathy Tobin grew up in Marin and is an eight-year survivor of breast cancer. She knows by identifying herself in that way, there are some who will narrow their perspective to see her only by that definition. She is confident that she is much more than that. She advocates for women with breast cancer, while modeling courage, faith, caring and commitment to helping others face their own personal challenges with breast cancer. She volunteers for many national and local breast cancer organizations, including Marin Breast Cancer Watch, Marin Breast Cancer Council, and the Breast Health Center at Marin General Hospital. She is also a regular co-facilitator for the Breast Cancer Support Group at Kaiser Hospital in San Rafael.
Professionally, Cathy serves as Administrative Secretary to the Chief of Police of the Twin Cities Police Department. If you get out and about to fund raisers or special events in Marin, Cathy is a familiar figure. She works behind the scenes for many events, such as the "Stepping Out to Celebrate Life" fashion show, hosted by the Marin Breast Cancer Council. The program features breast cancer survivors as the lovely models.
Cathy herself is an advocate, sharing her heart, her commitment and her sensitivity in addressing the humanity of others in the community affected by breast cancer. She once accompanied a friend on a very special fly-fishing expedition for women with breast cancer. Cathy had never fished in her life, but she cherishes the memory of sharing something special with her late friend and an amazing group of women. In nominating Cathy, 2002 Healing Professional Honoree Karin Szarvas-Kidd said that Cathy's motto is: "There are no strangers in life, just family we are yet to meet." Cathy lives this creed.
