Elise Roth Tedeschi – 2020 Over 40 & Fabulous Inspiration Winner
Nothing can stop Elise Roth Tedeschi, not even cancer. After battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, this 51-year-old former Director of Marketing for the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group knows that every day is a gift and treats it as such.
What inspires you to get up every morning? That’s easy, I AM ALIVE! Over 8 years ago I was given less than 9 months to live. I never imagined that I would ever be faced with cancer, let alone pancreatic cancer. I had a 1% chance that I would survive for more than five years. I was given a miracle and I am incredibly grateful every single day that I am here.
What is your favorite quote? For me it is really a bible verse that I lived by when I was going through cancer, Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
What person, thing, or event has influenced your life most? My parents. My mom taught me to always stand up for what is right. She was the first in the state of Florida to run a successful recall of two city council members. My dad taught me how to be solution-oriented, he was so even-keeled.
What is your favorite way to give back to your community? As the co-chair of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (Atlanta affiliate), I get to fight for my fellow warriors that no longer have a voice. In 2013, I spoke at the Atlanta Purple Stride 5K and again in 2014. PanCAN is an amazing organization. They help those going through pancreatic cancer with so many free services like free molecular profiling of patient’s tumor (Know Your Tumor) and searching for clinical trials that a patient would qualify for. Last year, my then 13-year-old son and I went to Washington D.C. to advocate for more funding. There was not a dry eye in the room when my son said, “This is my mom, she was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer when I was 6-years-old. If the doctors were right, she would not have made it to my 7th birthday.”
What do you love most about yourself? I love that there are no strangers and I love that I can fix just about anything! I have fixed my furnace, my dishwasher, changed the glass on an iPad, and even fixed my old SUV’s AC!
Who are the experts/professionals who help you be your best self? Hair and makeup, Nyssa Green of The Green Room Agency. Hair color & cut by Elli Brown of Plum Salon. Amanda Leesburg of Leesburg PR.
