It's hard to believe there was a time when breast cancer and substance use were not regularly discussed in public. But everything changed when First Lady Betty Ford opened up about her diagnosis in 1974, and then later her alcoholism and substance abuse struggles.
Since then, the first lady encouraged women around the country to get screened for breast cancer, which likely saved thousands of lives due to early detection. Additionally, the Betty Ford Center treatment center, which has a location in Rancho Mirage, has helped people get on the path toward recovery for the last four decades.
Ford died in 2011 in Rancho Mirage at the age of 93, but her legacy continues to be felt in the Coachella Valley and beyond. To honor her life and achievements, the U.S. Postal Service unveiled a commemorative Forever stamp in March at the White House. A dedication ceremony was held Friday at Eisenhower Health — just days before her April 7 sobriety anniversary and April 8 birthday.
Those who knew Ford best, including daughter Susan Ford Bales, were in attendance to share stories about her powerful force and how she supported them through difficult times.
"This stamp is beautiful," Bales said, gazing up at an image. The stamp features the official 1977 White House portrait by Felix de Cossio of Ford in a blue dress. "Mom would be so happy."
It was difficult for Bales to process news of her mother's breast cancer diagnosis in 1974. Back then, a diagnosis was grim, and the teenager feared her mother would die. She recalled a conversation Ford had with her daughter and her husband, President Gerald Ford, over whether she should share her diagnosis and mastectomy with the public.
"My reaction was swift: nope. Mom ought to be able to deal with this privately, and with her life-threatening diagnosis, I wanted her to do what so many other women had done: simply say that she was having female problems and would undergo exploratory surgery to take care of it," Bales said. "But my mom bluntly disagreed, and at the moment she told me what her decision was, nothing was ever the same again."
There was a time when women hid breast cancer in shame and behind closed doors, and when the words "breast" and "cancer" would never be uttered publicly, especially by a first lady, she shared. "And then, ladies and gentlemen, there was Betty," who was brave enough to take that courageous first step.
Soon after came the "Betty Ford Blip," which referred to the increased number of check-ups women were seeking across the country.
A few years later, Bales said the family would have another serious conversation, this time surrounding Ford's addiction to prescription pain medication and alcohol. Similarly, discussions about addition were hidden in shame and secrecy. "And then, ladies and gentlemen, there was Betty," Bales said.
Ford disclosed her condition and treatment, and with it showed that "in seeking treatment, what some might mistake for personal weakness, is a hopeful pathway to renewal," Bales said. The first lady went on to found the Betty Ford Center in 1982.
Rancho Mirage resident Gregg Balko, who attended the stamp ceremony, recalled he was attending college when Ford shared her struggles, though he did not fully realize just how important and "groundbreaking" it was at the time.
"The beauty of all this stuff, as years have passed, is you understand how brave she really was to make a statement, to go against the wishes of her family and say, 'No, this is the right thing to do.' What a trailblazer," he said.
Others at the ceremony also had heartwarming stories to share about the former first lady. Geoff Mason, a distinguished sports television production executive and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation ambassador, served as master of ceremonies for the event and announced on stage, "Hi, I'm Geoff, and I'm an alcoholic." About 41 years ago, he arrived at the recovery center because he was drinking a quart of vodka a day. Mason said he got his life back by entering treatment, and that Ford was "the most amazing person I've ever known."
Retired U.S. Army First Sgt. Alvy Powell, who performed at the ceremony and at several presidential events, including those for the Fords, said she was the first first lady to ask him about his personal life.
Afterward, those eager to get their hands on the new stamp were able to purchase a sheet of 20 for $13.60. That included a number of stamp collectors, like Shirley Ulling of Burbank, who is a member of the Southern California chapter of the American First Day Cover Society, dedicated to the advancement and collecting of first day covers.
"We're always excited about going to these events," Ulling said while in line waiting to get her ceremony program signed by those who spoke at the event.
When asked how many stamps she has, Ulling didn't have a number. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me. I have rooms full of stamps." She also saves ceremony programs and has plenty of binders dedicated to them.
The ceremony may have meant something different for each person in the room, but for Bales, it was a special day to remember the woman who, above all else, was her mother.
"The Postal Service and American people pay tribute to a woman of extraordinary courage and candor to a remarkable first lady and to a devoted wife," she said. "In doing so, they honor a woman that today, and in my every tomorrow, I'm proud to call my mom."
Ema Sasic covers entertainment and health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Daughter Susan Ford Bales honors Betty Ford's legacy, Forever stamp at Eisenhower Health
