Blog / In the Community

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, But Every Month Should Be Cancer Awareness Month

Grandma
This October, I would like to remind every woman to please schedule yourself a mammogram. If you're over the age of forty it may be time to get a baseline done or earlier if you have any family history of breast cancer. Consult with your family doctor about when he/she feels you should start getting your mammograms. Men, you are not excluded from this cancer either. This year I lost my sister-in-law Liz to breast cancer. Liz had been a breast cancer survivor for about fifteen years. Here is a little of her story. In 2012, the doctors told her the cancer was back for a third time and it had moved into her liver, bones and brain. Once again she stepped up to the plate ready to fight, but this time it was way too much for her, so she went with quality of life as she didn't want to be out of it or sick from all the chemo treatments. She wanted to spend as much time with her family and friends as she could and be as pain free as she could. I was so very blessed to be able to help take care of her until she finally had to go into a hospice facility in Pittsburgh PA. My ability to help Liz was only made possible because I work for a family-first law firm. Understanding and support are not strong enough words for what Bordas & Bordas did for me and my family during our difficult time taking care of Liz. Liz passed away this May of 2013. We also lost her husband (my best buddy) Augie to bladder cancer in February of 2013. Two loved ones in three months is just very hard for one family to handle. But we did it and we are closer and stronger than ever. One thing Liz never wanted to die from was breast cancer. She asked me if she did pass away from breast cancer to please tell everyone how important getting a mammogram each and every year is. Liz fought back again against breast cancer about five years after she was diagnosed the first time and I remember getting the call from her telling me she wasn't sure if she was going to do radiation or chemo. She was really feeling sad, alone and sorry for herself, (which she had every right to be feeling) but me being me, I told her to stop it, that she needed to stand up and fight, cancer was not going to win this round, and if she wanted to feel sorry for herself I would throw her a big pity party after she had gone through treatment and she was strong enough to tell her story of how I told her to stand up and fight like a girl, and how I wouldn't let her sit down and feel sorry for herself. Liz told me I was the only one in the world she knew who would tell her to stop it and to do something about it and that I was one of the reasons she took treatment that time. Liz also told me that she felt I was the strong one in this battle and I had faith in God, something that she was so desperately trying to hang on to but was slowly losing, and that I made her understand that God has a plan for everyone. Liz told me I helped pull her back from a very dark time in her life. Trust me, she was never alone or lost her faith in God, she only thought she was. God was her light in that dark place, she just didn't know it at the time. Liz took every precaution to keep herself checked and cancer free, used preventative medications and took exercise classes for breast cancer saviors. You name it, Liz did, took it, or Liz researched it. Liz always said you have to be your own best advocate to fight any and every type of cancer. But sometimes the cancer will take you no matter what you do to stop it. No truer words had been spoken. It's still hard for me to think she's not there when I have something I need to have more than two opinions on, now it's just down to myself and my oldest sister Diane, as our third opinion is gone. drug test Liz and I were very close for being sister-in-laws, she and I would never say that we were in-laws, only sisters. It was funny to see people's faces when she would tell them that I married her brother. You could see them thinking, "What?" We both would laugh and walk away. That's what kind of relationship I had with her. I was so blessed to have a friend and a sister in Liz. Liz made me a better person and she helped me understand things that I never knew in my lifetime would need to know or understand. God only takes the best ones back first and I truly believe that she was taken away from us way too early, but what she left behind for all of us was the meaning of what true love is: God and family. Please show your support this month for Breast Cancer Awareness by wearing pink. It's the best tribute you can show someone who is a survivor or for those who lost the battle with breast cancer. Please also consider supporting the 8th Annual Driving Fore A Cure Golf Classic. This year's event will be held at Oglebay Park on Friday, October 11, 2013. doctor in mask Liz, I'm writing a very small part of your story for others to read and understand that they are not alone when it comes to breast cancer. You are and will always be my Hero! You gave me the greatest gift anyone could ever give to another person: unconditional friendship, love, support and you never asked for anything in return. You and my beautiful sister, Diane, are the two that made me who I am to this day. Thank you. I love you and miss you, Liz! women's are smiling    
Posted in:

Related Posts

What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania

What to Do After a Truck Accident in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania A recent trucking accident on I-70 near Wheeling caused serious injuries and brought traffic to a standstill. These kinds of accidents are all too common in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, especially on major highways like I-70 and I-79. If you’re involved in a crash with a commercial truck, knowing what to do next is critical for your health and your legal rights. Protecting Yourself Legally and Medically If you’re involved in a truck accident: Call 911 immediately. Document the scene (photos, notes, witness names). Seek medical attention—even if injuries seem minor. Commercial trucking accidents are far more complicated than regular car crashes. The trucking company, driver, and even cargo loaders may all play a role in what happened. That’s why it’s so important to protect yourself early. Truck crashes often involve federal trucking regulations in addition to local laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires drivers to operate with “extreme caution” in hazardous conditions, a regulation often cited in legal cases. Don’t Navigate This Alone Trucking companies have their lawyers working to limit what they pay. Victims need someone in their corner who understands both state and federal laws across the tri-state region. An experienced attorney can help preserve evidence, negotiate with insurers, and ensure you’re treated fairly.  At Bordas & Bordas, we fight to protect victims and ensure they’re not taken advantage of during this complex process. Learn more about truck accident claims

Bordas and Bordas Attorneys celebrating 40 years of justice from 1985 to 2025 with the message "Fighting for Justice for 40 Years.

Fighting for Justice for 40 Years

Fighting for Justice for 40 Years In 2025, Bordas & Bordas is proudly celebrating 40 years, a testament to our unwavering commitment to serving our community and fighting for justice. Since our founding in 1985 by Jim and Linda Bordas, we’ve grown from a small practice into one of the region’s premier personal injury law firms with offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wheeling and Moundsville, West Virginia, and St. Clairsville, Ohio. The story of Bordas & Bordas Attorneys PLLC began with a unique partnership. Linda, a former hospital pharmacist turned lawyer, and Jim, who has been described by many as a giant in the legal profession, combined their expertise and passion for justice to open the doors of Bordas & Bordas upon Linda’s graduation from law school in 1985. Their remarkable record, including never losing a trial together, fueled the firm’s early success. Linda’s medical background proved invaluable, particularly in medical malpractice cases, where she became a leading force, securing landmark verdicts and expanding patient rights. Jim spent his career fighting battles for his clients that others couldn’t or wouldn’t fight. For over four decades, he built a reputation of success through landmark jury verdicts and settlements. In 2000, the Bordas legacy continued with the addition of Jim and Linda’s oldest son, Jamie, who became the firm’s managing partner in 2005. Jim cherished working alongside Jamie, creating a strong bond, and ensuring the firm’s values would endure. Linda remains a partner at Bordas & Bordas and continues to provide guidance and advice as we continue to fight for justice. Our Core Values: The Shield of Bordas & Bordas Our logo, a shield with four quadrants and a central cross, symbolizes what we hold dear: Experience: Four decades of dedicated legal service. Family: A firm built on strong family values and lasting relationships. Community: A commitment to serving and giving back to our community. Results: A proven track record of securing substantial recoveries for our clients. Christian Values: The Cross in the center represents the moral compass that guides our work. Our Commitment to You A lot has changed in 40 years, but one thing remains the same: Our reputation for taking on any opponent in the courtroom. This is backed by years of success and record-breaking results, including numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements across a wide range of personal injury practice areas. We understand the challenges clients face, which is why our cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means clients pay no fee unless we secure a recovery for them. We offer: Free initial consultations. No retainer required. We advance all case expenses. Our work has garnered national attention, with features on programs like 60 Minutes, Inside Edition, and CNN, showcasing our dedication to seeking justice for our clients. Learn more about our results by clicking here. As we celebrate 40 years, we reaffirm our commitment to providing exceptional legal representation and upholding the values that have guided us since 1985. We are grateful for the trust our clients have placed in us and look forward to serving our community for many years to come.

Bordas & Bordas Presents 16 High School Seniors with Anti-Bullying Award

Bordas & Bordas is proud to announce the names of the 16 students from schools in Ohio, Marshall and Belmont counties who are recipients of the Bordas & Bordas Anti-Bullying Fighting for Justice Award. The 2025 award recipients: Hayley Hoffer, Barnesville High School Reegan Williams, Bellaire High School Madison Marsh, Bridgeport High School Camden Frye, Cameron High School Dessie Morris, East Richland Christian High School Jadyn Parker, John Marshall High School Zoe Zatezalo, The Linsly School Nathan Luong, Martins Ferry High School Mia Boatman-Salas, Shadyside High School Andrew Roberts, St. Clairsville High School Gianna Parker, St. John Central Academy Emilie Blawut, Union Local High School Josann Frizzell, Wheeling Central Catholic High School Sydney Kobasko, Wheeling Central Catholic High School Ciera Faulstick, Wheeling Park High School Isabelle Thomas, Wheeling Park High School “Congratulations to the senior students who have been named 2025 Bordas & Bordas Anti-Bullying Ambassadors,” said Managing Partner Jamie Bordas. “Nominations from educators and community members highlighted the significant contributions these young adults have made through their actions and attitudes in both their schools and communities.” The award was created in 2014 by Bordas & Bordas founder Jim Bordas and honors each Anti-Bullying Ambassador with a $500 cash prize. The criteria for students nominated includes treating everyone equally, respecting differences in others, and standing up for those who are targeted by others or are discriminated against. “We are proud to recognize these individuals who serve as positive examples for their peers. We wish the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and the class of 2025 the best of luck in their future endeavors,” said Bordas. Bordas & Bordas is a plaintiff’s litigation law firm with offices in Pittsburgh, Wheeling, W.Va., St. Clairsville, Ohio, and Moundsville, W.Va. The firm’s attorneys practice throughout the region in diverse areas of law and are licensed in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Texas.