You, the WHI participants, are remarkable. Your dedication to these efforts to improve women’s health inspires us all. You are the most reliable study participants ever, contributing information every year about you.
What WHI Has Meant to You
Many of you have written to tell us about your work, your families, your passions and what WHI has meant to you. We feature a small number of these here.
Brigitte, 25 years in WHI
I was enrolled in WHI when it began in PIttsburgh, PA. Now at 91, I live in Kennett Square, PA. I appreciate that WHI has been interested in my health status all these years. I now consider myself “wobbly well”. I’m good at falling without hurting myself; and I attribute to my feeling good to my swimming a half mile six days a week. Here’s to old age: the best time of life!
Katherine, 22 years in WHI
I have been in the WHI study for about 25 years. Born and raised in Massachusetts, my husband and I moved Washington fourteen years ago to be closer to our sons. I am a 91 year old widow in very good health. I practice Tai Chi at least 4 times a week and I am a member of a large women’s group that offers many activities, some of which I participate in. However, I am an artist and so, painting oil portraits my favorite pastime is.
Brenda, 23 years in WHI
I have participated for over twenty years. I joined when my best friend had breast cancer. I have been very blessed as I am over 80, still teaching, doing everything a normal person does, but I walk slower, but still average 2-3 miles a day. I started the program in Chicago, continued it when we were in England for 17 years and returned to the US in 2017.
Carol, 24 years in WHI
Thank you for the supportive work you do for all of us. Also thank you for the gifts you send like the recent eye glass cleaner. Your reminders inspire me not to give up, to continue trying to get exercise. I joined MANY years ago as I have 2 daughters & their many female friends. I want to be part of a vast resource of information for their generation. Please don’t stop your valuable work.
Laura, 22 years in WHI
I am not pleased to have had cancer, but I’m happy to have made the future a little easier for those coming up behind me, with or without cancer, to live more healthfully and maybe a little longer.
Majorie, 23 years in WHI
I enjoy your questionnaires…even if I am not so prompt…and I was surprised recently to find no friends of mine are in the study!
Jean, 22 years in WHI
My name is Jean, and I have been a proud participant of the WHI study to help improve the lives of so many women. I am 91 years old and very happy to be living independently and an active life.
Bettianne, 22 years in WHI
It makes me feel good that I may be contributing to ongoing research that may help thousands of others. As an educator I appreciate and enjoy being part of the learning process.
Fran, 24 years in WHI
“Thank You” for all you have done and continue doing for women’s health over the years! I stumbled into the study about 1994 while living in Connecticut. You have since followed me to Vermont, California and now to Florida. I’m happy to still be alive to actively participate.
Norma, 24 years in WHI
This is Norma from Illinois. She has participated in WHI for years and years. She is 99 years old and still living in her two story home with the help of a caregiver. She took her involvement in your women’s studies very seriously. She believes that good nutrition, exercise and lots of volunteering and social activities are imperative to live a long fulfilled life. Even as she started having balance issues, she insisted on going up and down the stairs because she said that is what kept her young and going.
Rena, 22 years in WHI
Many, many years ago, in Milwaukee, WI, I participated in a multi-year study of methods of breast exam. When that ended the WHI studies had just started, and I enrolled. Even though I now live in Israel I continue to fill out my forms and mail them back. I fervently believe that women’s health has historically been under-studied and am doing my part to rectify the situation. Two hearts attacks and catheterizations and four bouts of cancer later, I hope what I am doing will help women in the future.
Betty, 23 years in WHI
It has been a privilege to participate in the important research examining women’s health issues from birth control to diet, cardiovascular disease and cancer. I proudly wear my “Celebrating 20 Years” pin knowing that I’ve made a contribution to the advancement of science.
Carole, 25 years in WHI
Hi, my name is Carole and I have been a WHI participant since 1993. I have learned a lot about women’s health and how I can relate to some of the results of the studies in the last 27 years.
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Content and images for the slideshow rotate regularly. If you sent us your photo and statement, please know that it will make an appearance! Statements may have been edited for clarity and brevity.
It’s not too late to make a submission! If you wish to be included in the slideshow, please send us your photo and a few sentences about what being a WHI participant has meant to you.
E-mail us or send mail to: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N M3-A410, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109.
Study Updates
Watch the teaser WHI 2020 Meeting video
This video was produced for the WHI 2020 Meeting – A Vision of Women’s Health, which was planned for early May. Although the meeting was cancelled, we’re excited to share the teaser video featuring interviews with several WHI participants! The full-length version will be shown at the WHI 2021 Annual Meeting.
Complete your WHI Forms online
We now offer an online version of your WHI study forms. If you wish to sign up for this option, please e-mail us and be sure to include your preferred e-mail address. On the month you are typically due to have your study forms mailed, you will receive an email message with a link to your forms instead.
Join our monthly WHI Webinars
We will be hosting a series of online seminars starting in February 2021. Engage with WHI researchers and other participants on topics designed specifically for you! Get more details here.
WHI Matters Newsletter
Correction to the WHI Matters Newsletter: Please note that there is an error in the phone number on page 7, in the article entitled “Online WHI Forms are Now Available”. The telephone number in the third paragraph should be 1-800-218-8415. Alternatively, you may e-mail participant@whi.org if you wish to complete your forms online or have any questions.
You can read the latest WHI Matters 2020-2021 edition (también disponible en español), featuring the following topics:
- COVID-19 Research in the WHI
- WHI Hosts Webinar Series
- Focus on Findings
- WHI Updates Its Website
- Improve Your Technology Prowess
Would you like to receive your WHI Matters newsletter by email? Please e-mail us with your email address and we’ll send you the 2020-2021 edition electronically. We will never share your email without your permission and you may unsubscribe at any time. Past editions of WHI Matters are also available online.
We always welcome feedback on the newsletter! E-mail us or send your correspondence to: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N, M3-A410, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109.