Raleigh breast cancer survivor motivated by family to advocate for earlier screening and lower costs of care

Several years ago, Reba Rinehart was happily married and the mom of two children. Then her husband became ill.

"I was caring for my husband with his health condition and concerns getting him to his appointments," said Rinehart.

Sadly, the illness took his life. After grieving, Rinehart focused on her two children and her job. "Just life was so busy with other things and other people that I put myself last," she said.

In 2019, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Adopted as a child, Rinehart became curious about her biological family’s medical history. A search led her to a cousin, Lavita Rodriquez, and a breast cancer link.

Rinehart said, "She was diagnosed at the age of 33, seven years before we’re really supposed to even have our first mammogram."

Rodriquez began reaching out to legislators in Tampa, Fla., to push for earlier screening recommendations. By April of 2022, breast cancer took her life.

Now Reinhart carries on the cause for an early detection bill in North Carolina and for sparing patients unnecessary costs.

"You get the mammogram and you find out something’s going on, then you start having these appointments and find out there’s a cost up front, and that’s a life or death decision," said Rinehart.

She is motivated to get the care she needs for herself as well as for her two children. "My family is important to me and so, I need to be there for them," she said.

Reba Rinehart plans to participate in the 2023 Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure with thoughts of her cousin, her husband and her children spurring her on.