North Bay Woman

S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 39 form of colon cancer. A sub- sequent colonoscopy showed that she had the disease at an early stage, and she had treatment successfully. That piqued Albert's interest in the medical component, and when 23andMe received FDA approval to release medical information, she opted in. "I would want to know if I was at risk," she says, and she gave kits to her three adult children so they could be tested as well. Her initial goal was to learn about family history, and the results were satisfying. She already had some information from Ancestry's online resources, and the matches gave her a chance her to con- nect with relatives she didn't know as well. She chatted online with one of the cousins she discovered, and he sent her a copy of short stories — about 300 pages — that his father had written about his life. The author was an uncle she'd heard about, but didn't know, and his stories showed relatives they had in common from a perspective other than her father's. "I think it's a wonderful thing for people to know about their families," she says. Tracking family history is an adventure, but the research can be time consuming and difficult, and interpreting the results is often a challenge. Rear- don is a member of the DNA group of the Marin County Genea- logical Society, and people who have all levels of experience are willing to share their expertise and help others. "It's been the most useful resource for me in my own re- search," she says. "It's a nice collaborative group." And for people who are curious about their origins and contemplating DNA testing, "Take advantage of it," she says. "You'll feel 100 percent confident when you get those matches back." n Left: Members of the Marin County Genealogical Society (from left); Karen Parsons, Anita McPherson, Michelle Reardon, Nancy Evans, Jo Ann Rowley-Minhoto and Shirley Hudson. – Photo courtesy Michelle Reardon 23andMe DNA kit. – Photo provided by 23andMe We raise money and give it away to Bay Area nonprofits. To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation has granted over $5 million since 1996 to organizations that provide emergency and direct services and financial assistance to breast cancer patients. Underserved women and men coping with overwhelming health and financial emergencies are supported by a community of safety net leaders who provide over 10,000 services annually. Together, we can make a difference. Visit www.tocelebratelife.org or call 415-455-5882 Stepping Out To Celebrate Life Gala — Photo: Sarah Ferris No one should face breast cancer alone. J READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2018 WINNER READERS' CHOICE AWARDS 2018 J RUNNER-UP Best Nonprofit Organization Best Charity Gala Stepping Out

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