BGFC Magazine May 2026 Edition

MAY 2026
CLEVELAND CLINIC
TAUSSIG CENTER
A Community Approach to
Cancer Prevention
CERVIVOR
AMBASSADOR SPEAKS
Tiera Wade shares her story of
purpose and transformation
SISCARE THE MOVEMENT
BGFC Founder speaks on a
movement of advocacy, awareness,
and access.
Bloom Into
ADVOCACY
COVER MODEL ASHA MILLER SHARES
HER STORY OF SELF-ADVOCACY

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BGFC Magazine and its content are produced by Stiletto Boss Foundation to educate,
inspire, and empower individuals and families impacted by cancer. The views
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Letter from the Editor
By Staci “PurPose” Kirk, Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Dear Readers,
There is something powerful about blooming after
hardship. “Bloom Into Advocacy” is deeply personal
to me because advocacy was born from my own
journey through cancer. It came from the moments I
needed support, understanding, representation, and
community. It grew from realizing how important it
is for Black women to feel seen, heard, and
empowered throughout every stage of survivorship.
At Black Girls Fighting Cancer, advocacy is not just what we do — it is who we are.
Every Warrior Box, support circle, resource, and conversation is rooted in the belief
that our voices matter and our stories deserve space in the healthcare conversation.
As you move through this issue, I hope you see advocacy in many forms: sharing your
story, supporting another woman, asking questions, showing up, speaking out, and
refusing to give up. Every act matters.
This movement continues to grow because survivors, caregivers, supporters, and
partners continue choosing compassion, visibility, and action. Together, we are
creating spaces where Black women are not only surviving but healing, thriving, and
blooming with purpose.
To every Warrior reading this: your voice matters, your journey matters, and your life
matters.
With love, faith, and fierce gratitude,
Staci PurPose Kirk
Founder, Black Girls Fighting Cancer
Editor-in-Chief, BGFC Magazine

Contributors
Thank you to all of the contributors to our inaugural edition of BGFC Magazine.
Our Staff:
Photographer - Nisi Ezell Photography
Administrative Assistant - Jasmyne Yarbrough
Editor in Chief - Staci PurPose Kirk
Advisor - Denise West
Contributing Writers:
Asha Miller
Tiera Wade
Chandol Anderson
Tee Elder
Shanise Pearce
Amber Jackson
Cleveland Clinic Community Outreach and Patient Navigation
To our sponsors, donors, and community partners — thank you. Your support helps
Black Girls Fighting Cancer continue creating spaces of hope, advocacy, support, and
sisterhood for women and families impacted by cancer.
Because of your generosity, we are able to provide meaningful programs, resources,
and community-centered initiatives that remind Warriors they do not have to
navigate this journey alone.
As we continue to grow, we welcome partnerships with individuals and organizations
who believe in the importance of awareness, equity, compassion, and survivorship.
Together, we are making a lasting impact and helping more women feel seen,
supported, and empowered through every stage of their journey.

Table of Contents
Meeting Women Where They Are (Cleveland Clinic) 6 - 7
Survivor Story: Tiera Wade 8
Golden Glow Salmon & Sweet Potato Plate 9
Survivor Story: Tee Elder 11-12
Gentle Exercises for Cancer Warriors 15
Survivor Story: Shanise Pearce 16
Worrier to Warrior (Cleveland Clinic) 18 - 19
Cover Survivor Story: Asha Miller 21-24
Survivor Story: Amber Jackson 27
Survivor Story: Chandol Anderson 29
Thank You Volunteers & Supporters 31
Are you a survivor wanting to tell your story?
Apply
Here!

Meeting Women Where They Are: A Community Approach to Cancer Prevention
The path to better health for women across Northern Ohio, from the neighborhoods
of Cleveland to the lakeshore communities of Lorain and Ashtabula, requires more
than just awareness; it requires access, trust, and the ability to navigate a complex
system.
At Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center, the Community Outreach & Patient
Navigation team is organized to serve across geographic areas and the many diverse
populations that reside throughout Northeast Ohio. Each Program Manager focuses
on the unique needs of their communities, with a shared goal of reducing barriers to
care and making cancer screening more accessible and easier to understand.
As Program Manager Mark Ribbins explains, “Stopping Cancer in Its Tracks (SCIIT) is
one of our outreach initiatives that works with local faith congregations and
community organizations. We equip trusted advocates to educate their communities
about early detection, screening, and healthy lifestyles. A local pastor experienced the
impact of our program, sharing that her breast cancer was first detected at a SCIIT
screening event, something that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.”
Screening may not be something that has been part of routine care for many women.
Often, it’s about simply not knowing where to start or what is even recommended. The
team makes that first step of getting screened easier to understand, easier to access,
and easier to follow through on.
For most women, breast cancer screening with a mammogram begins around age 40.
Cervical cancer screening, including Pap and HPV testing, typically starts earlier,
around age 21. Colorectal cancer screening now begins at age 45 for those at average
risk. Even with growing awareness, taking that next step is not always easy, but if
cancer is found early, treatment is often less invasive and outcomes are significantly
better.
Cost, transportation, time off work, and competing responsibilities can all get in the
way of following through on care. This is where the work of patient navigation comes
in, whether that means scheduling appointments, coordinating transportation, or
simply walking someone through the process step by step. The patient navigation
program assists women through a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Across Northern Ohio, outreach is not one-size-fits-all. Each community requires a
different approach, shaped by its needs and barriers. Program Managers across the
region approach this work in ways that reflect the people they serve and the spaces
where trust already exists. Scheretta Jeffries highlights how partnerships expand
reach into vulnerable populations: “With our HOPE Grant, we extended breast health
education and screening services into shelters and transitional housing programs,
reaching women who might otherwise be overlooked.”
6

In communities with strong Hispanic populations, access and language can be major
barriers. Eliannie Marrero-Ortiz explains, “We recognize that many individuals cannot
access care during standard hours, so we’ve introduced Saturday clinics and expanded
partnerships with community health centers to create more opportunities for
screening.” These flexible scheduling options include partnerships with Federally
Qualified Health Centers.
This same approach extends into Lorain and surrounding communities, where bilingual
outreach and trusted partnerships are essential. As Lucas Velez shares, “With our
mobile units and partnerships with local schools and community organizations, we are
able to meet women where they feel most comfortable and provide screening in a way
that fits their lives.” A key part of this work includes partnering with the Lorain City
Schools mobile unit, bringing health screenings directly into the communities and
creating easier access for families.
On the west side of Cleveland, the approach often centers on stability and trust within
supportive environments. Ty Stimpert describes this approach through partnerships
with supportive housing communities, including the Edna House, a sober living
environment for women in recovery. “By offering education and screening
opportunities on-site, we are able to have meaningful conversations with women about
cancer risk.”
In another part of our service area, outreach takes a workforce-centered approach. As
Ray Jackson puts it, “Our approach is simple: meet women where they are and remove
barriers before they become outcomes.” Mobile mammography services operate
multiple days each week, bringing screenings directly into the community.
Partnerships with employers like Amazon allow women to access care without
disrupting their workday, while locations like Palmeros & Co., a local beauty salon,
create space for open and comfortable conversations about breast health.
And in Ashtabula and Lake County, Phil Tomko reflects on what stands out most:
“Women sharing that they did not know services like this existed, and how meaningful
it is to have someone walk them through the process without confusion. Those
moments of connection often lead to continued care, stronger trust, and a different
outlook on their health.” Tomko also points out that outreach efforts continue to
evolve, with innovative approaches such as VR-based education being introduced to
make information more engaging, personal, and easier to understand.
Across Northern Ohio, this work continues to grow through partnerships with
community leaders, advocates, and organizations who understand what their
communities need. In alignment with the mission of Black Girls Fighting Cancer, the
goal is not just to provide services, but to expand access, build trust, and create real
pathways into care.
Because no woman should have to figure this out alone.
7Meeting Women Where They Are: A Community Approach to Cancer Prevention

Tiera Wade’s story is one of purpose and transformation, but more than that,
it is a reminder of what can happen when lived experience becomes a
catalyst for change and a refusal to be silent.
After surviving advanced-stage cervical cancer, Tiera made a decision that
would redefine not only her life, but her mission. Instead of keeping her
journey private, she chose to speak up honestly, openly, and with intention.
What began as survival has grown into advocacy rooted in education,
empowerment, and ensuring that others are not left without the information
or resources she once had to fight for.
Today, Tiera serves as a Cervivor Ambassador, using her voice to elevate
awareness around cervical cancer prevention, early detection, and the
importance of routine screenings. Her advocacy work extends far beyond
storytelling. She actively participates in community health events, speaks on
panels, and contributes to conversations that bridge the gap between
patients and providers. Through these spaces, she works to ensure that lived
experiences are not only heard, but valued in shaping better care and
outcomes.
Tiera’s work is deeply educational and resource-driven, focused on reaching
communities that are often underserved or overlooked in women’s health
conversations. She is intentional about creating spaces where people feel safe to ask
questions, learn, and take action. Whether she is speaking to survivors, caregivers, or
individuals navigating fear and uncertainty, her message remains consistent: awareness
saves lives, and self-advocacy is a necessity, not a choice.
As the founder of SetTrendz, Tiera also merges advocacy with entrepreneurship. What
began as a creative outlet has evolved into a wellness-centered brand that reflects her
belief in self-love, mindfulness, and body awareness. Through her handcrafted waist
beads and designs, she encourages women to reconnect with their bodies and engage
more deeply in their personal health journeys. Her work often serves as an entry point
into larger conversations about reproductive health, preventive care, and intentional
living.
T i e r a W a d e
Faith also plays a central role in her journey. It is the foundation that carries her
through both the difficult and defining moments of her life. That grounding has
allowed her to show up consistently in spaces of advocacy, even when the
conversations are heavy or the work is demanding.
Through every role she holds — survivor, advocate, entrepreneur, mother, and
community voice — Tiera Wade continues to turn her experience into impact.
Her work is a living example of what it means to transform pain into purpose
and to ensure that cervical cancer awareness is not just a message, but a
movement rooted in education, access, and empowerment.
Beyond her professional and advocacy efforts, Tiera is a devoted
wife and mother of three daughters. Her family is at the core of
everything she does, grounding her purpose and strengthening
her commitment to building a healthier future. She often speaks
from the perspective of legacy — what it means to not only
survive, but to create change that impacts the next generation.
8

Healing from the Inside Out
A Cancer-Fighting Recipe to Nourish Your Body and Spirit*
Golden Glow Salmon & Sweet Potato Plate
(Anti-Inflammatory • Protein-Rich • Nourishing for Recovery & Strength)
This comforting meal is packed with ingredients known to support immune health,
reduce inflammation, and provide sustained energy during treatment, survivorship,
or recovery.
Ingredients
1 salmon fillet
1 medium sweet potato, cubed
1 cup broccoli florets
½ avocado, sliced
1 tsp olive oil
½ tsp turmeric
½ tsp garlic powder
¼ tsp black pepper
Pinch of sea salt
Fresh lemon wedges
Optional: pumpkin seeds or hemp hearts for
topping
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Toss sweet potatoes with olive oil, turmeric, garlic powder, pepper, and sea salt.
Roast for 20 minutes.
Add salmon and broccoli to the baking sheet. Lightly season salmon with garlic
powder, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon.
Roast an additional 12–15 minutes, or until salmon flakes easily.
Plate with avocado slices and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds or hemp hearts if
desired.
Finish with fresh lemon juice before serving.
Warrior Wellness Tip
Healing is not about perfection — it’s about nourishment, grace, and giving your body
support one meal at a time.
9

10

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her
lifetime. I am one.
T e e E l d e r
January 19, 2021 — a day that had already carved a permanent space in
my heart, committed to grief, memory, and someone I loved deeply —
became the day my life split into before and after, introducing me to a
loss that taught me some days don’t just hold pain, they expand it.
I was 33 years old when I read the words in MyChart: stage 0
ductal carcinoma in situ and stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma.
I didn’t hear it sitting in a doctor’s office with someone gently explaining it. I
read it physically alone while on the phone, staring at a screen, trying to make
sense of language that didn’t feel applicable to my life.
“Cancer?” I whispered, stammering, phone in hand, as everything around me
blurred.
The disbelief was not hubristic, but I did believe I was being proactive and
preventative about my health.
Still, I had an inkling. I noticed subtle differences
between my first and second mammograms. The
biopsy process was chaotic, almost telling in its
urgency, and I’ll never forget the nurse’s words
afterward: “If you see anything concerning in
MyChart, wait until Dr. Jones calls you.”
When the diagnosis came, I asked the question that
echoes for so many: Is this a death sentence?
I knew about treatment advances, yet anxiety doesn’t
wait for logic. Moreover, being diagnosed young adds
layers often unconsidered: questions about fertility,
sexuality, motherhood, career disruption, and the
demands of long-term survivorship.
Life became a series of appointments — MRIs, CT
scans, consultations, treatment plans. Moving at
godspeed, I felt like I had been dropped into a world I
didn’t ask to enter but had no choice but to navigate.
Telling my children and loved ones was one of the
hardest moments. Watching their faces process fear
and uncertainty was unbearable. But even in that
moment, I told them, “Y’all can cry later. If you’re going
to stand on the frontlines with me, I need you to lock
in, because either way the pendulum swings, I am
going to beat cancer and I need fighters alongside me.”
This was about survival.
11

Surgery and recovery were brutal. I couldn’t lay flat, use my arms, or even wash my own body without
help. I had drains stitched beneath my skin, a visiting nurse twice a week, and loved ones caring for me
around the clock. Yet somehow, even during that season, we still found reasons to laugh.
Then my pathology changed. What was initially caught early had spread into multiple lymph nodes,
reaching my neck. Chemotherapy followed, and Taxotere and cyclophosphamide nearly took me out. My
body no longer felt like mine. Less than two weeks after my first infusion, my hair began falling out, and I
decided to cut it before cancer could take that choice from me too.
Radiation came next. My skin burned. My body endured. I rang the bell. People celebrate that moment,
and understandably so, but survivorship is not the absence of struggle. In many ways, it is the beginning of
a different kind of battle.
During treatment, survival mode keeps you moving. Once treatment ends and life quiets down, you finally
begin processing everything you carried — the anxiety, trauma, hormonal changes, fatigue, medications,
cognitive fog, and the constant awareness of every ache in your body. Breast cancer changed me in ways I
never expected.
Re-learning your body is a grief people rarely talk about.
My breasts were amputated, and I chose not to have
cosmetic surgery. There were moments I felt angry at my
body, questioning how something I cared for so deeply
could betray me. At the same time, the world around me
celebrated survival while I was still trying to understand
my new normal.
People often ask what carried me through. The answer is
simple: my will to live and my village. At no point did I
become interested in dying. The love people poured into
me during this season is something I will never fully have
words for. Even during tears, I kept adjusting my crown
and pressing forward because I’m bendable, never
breakable. I refused to allow cancer to overpower me or
define my life more than it already had. I never asked,
“Why me?” Why not me?
Cancer taught me to slow down, to lean on people, to
release hyper-independence, and to appreciate moments
I once rushed through. It taught me to live.
And if there’s one thing I want every woman to take from
my story, it’s this: get personal with your body. Learn it.
Listen to it. Advocate for it. Do your self-exams. Go to
your appointments. Ask questions. And if something
doesn’t feel right, push harder.
Because you are your biggest advocate.
Tee Elder
12

13

14

Move With Love:
Gentle Exercises for Cancer Warriors*
The Sunset Reset (5–10 minutes)
Goal: Release tension and calm the nervous system before
rest.
Sit comfortably or lie down with a pillow supporting your
head. Close your eyes and slowly inhale for 4 counts, then
exhale for 6. Gently rotate your ankles and wrists to release
built-up tension. Place one hand on your chest and one on
your stomach.
Repeat softly: “My body deserves rest. My healing matters.”
Best for: evening relaxation, anxiety relief, sleep support
Wall Push Strength Flow (5 minutes)
Goal: Rebuild gentle upper-body strength and confidence.
Stand facing a wall with your hands shoulder-width
apart.
Slowly bend your elbows and lean toward the wall, then
push back gently.
Repeat 8–10 times at your own pace.
Roll your shoulders afterward and stretch your arms
across your chest.
Finish with one deep breath and a smile for yourself.
Best for: rebuilding strength after treatment, movement
confidence, and circulation.
Bedside Mobility Flow (3–5 minutes)
Goal: Gently wake up the body before getting out of bed.
Before standing up, stretch your arms overhead and point your
toes forward. Slowly bend and straighten your knees one at a
time. Roll onto your side gently and take three deep breaths. Sit at
the edge of the bed for a moment before standing.
Best for: fatigue, stiffness, slow mornings, low-energy days
*Be sure to check with your doctor or care team before starting any exercise regime. 15

My Story — What I Carry, I Refuse to Pass Down Unchanged
There are moments in life that change you. And then there are
moments that introduce you to a version of yourself you never
knew you would have to become.
My journey with cancer began with knowledge.
I carry BRCA2 and PMS2 gene mutations connected to Lynch
Syndrome, placing me at increased risk for multiple cancers.
Because of that, I was placed on a path of early detection that
would ultimately save my life.
In October 2023, after a normal mammogram earlier that year, an
MRI revealed what the mammogram did not. I was diagnosed with
Stage 1, Grade 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer, along with DCIS.
Within two weeks, I began chemotherapy — twelve rounds, twelve
weeks, a fight that required every part of me mentally, physically,
and emotionally.
But cancer did not just impact me. It impacted my entire family. My
husband became my caregiver while still being my partner. My son
had to process what it meant to watch his mother face a lifethreatening
illness. My daughters, who carry these same genetic
mutations, were forced to confront their own realities far too early.
S h a n i s e P e a r c e
Cancer reshapes families. It shifts roles, introduces fear,
and exposes gaps in care, access, and understanding,
especially in Black and Brown communities.
I completed chemotherapy in January 2024, underwent a
double mastectomy in February, and by March, I was in
remission. But survivorship is not the end. It is a new
beginning that comes with responsibility.
Through my work with The Advocate’s Table, I advocate for
early detection, genetic awareness, and equitable access to
care. I share my story as a living legacy to my children — to
my daughters, so they are equipped with the knowledge
that can save their lives; to my son, so he understands the
emotional weight of illness and how to process it; and to
my husband, who carried me through it all.
Early detection saved my life. Sharing my story is how I
help save others.
Shanise Pearce
16 11

Worrier to Warrior: How Outreach Efforts Help Warriors Worry Less
Community Outreach Team - Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
Do you remember learning
how to ride a bike for the first
time? The thoughts of “What if
I fall?” and “Where do I go
once I start?” are not
uncommon. The same can be
true for patients learning to
take hold of their healthcare.
Cleveland Clinic’s Taussig
Cancer Center Community
Outreach (CO) is home to a
team of lay navigators and
program managers who serve
as your set of training wheels.
Not every patient is
experienced in managing their
cancer screenings. The C-
word is likely the reason
patients are most
subconsciously apprehensive.
No one wants to hear the C-
word, which makes meeting
patients where they are at the
time they need us crucial.
Through Cancer Community
Outreach, patients can access
a wealth of person-specific
education, concierge
appointment scheduling
services with upcoming
appointment reminders, and
clinical guidance from CO’s
dedicated CNP (certified nurse
practitioner) to help eliminate
barriers that prevent patients
from receiving the care they
need.
The CO program offers
services such as financial
assistance, translation,
education, transportation,
and a host of other services to
help patients when they need
it most. Non-Englishspeaking
patients and
LGBTQ+ patients, for
example, are provided
specialized education and are
able to directly communicate
with caregivers who have
lived experience in those
communities, free from the
fear of discrimination, bias,
not feeling heard, lack of
empathy, and other
experiences that can deter a
patient from approaching or
staying upright in their
healthcare management.
Fear can prevent even the
most courageous everyday
people from ever hopping on
a bike; the same can be true
for patients embarking on
their healthcare journey. CO
knows this to be true. For
instance, a recent patient who
began care with us back in
2025 was very afraid of
doctors, needles, and
hospitals, but she desperately
needed a colonoscopy. She
didn’t have any family or
friends who could support her
journey, so she was referred
to the CO team for support.
Our patient navigator listened
to her concerns and not only
scheduled her for the screening
she needed but also provided a
door-to-door chaperone
service that picked her up from
her home, waited through the
appointment, and escorted her
home safely. This patient
expressed that our team set
expectations for the
appointment, which helped her
feel more comfortable
completing her screening. She
also mentioned that the
chaperone service arrived in a
timely manner, the vehicle was
nice and clean, and the
chaperone was friendly and
personable. “The chaperone
made things easy and relaxing.”
What sets us apart from the
pack is our dedication to
making every patient feel seen,
heard, and understood. Every
patient’s journey is different,
and no two patients travel the
same path. We have identified
nine service area zones across
Northern Ohio, from Cleveland’s
east, west, and south sides to
Lorain County, over to the
Sandusky area, Akron and
Canton, down to Mansfield, as
well as Ashtabula and
Youngstown, as places where
CO’s help could be most
utilized.
18

Worrier to Warrior: How Outreach Efforts Help Warriors Worry Less
Community Outreach Team - Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center
By intentionally creating service area zones, it allows us to zero in on how we provide specialized
care to specific populations and create safe spaces for our most vulnerable community members.
Riding a bike for the first time can be scary, but CO is here to help you grab your health by the
handlebars. Our mission is to help create a community of well-educated and confident health
champions, individuals who can take the values, methods, and attitudes we express and not only
apply them to themselves but also share them with those they love.
So, whether you choose to embark with us or another qualified care facility, don’t be afraid of
falling. Cleveland Clinic’s Community Outreach is here to catch you if you fall and keep you
headed in the right direction.
19

Be the Reason Someone Feels Seen.
At Black Girls Fighting Cancer and Stiletto Boss Foundation, we know healing takes
more than treatment. It takes community. It takes support. It takes people willing to
show up with compassion, love, and action.
Every program we offer, every support circle we host, every Warrior Box we pack,
and every family we encourage is possible because someone decided to care enough
to give.
Whether you choose to donate, volunteer your time, become a community partner,
or simply share our mission with others, you become part of something bigger than
yourself. You become part of a movement centered on advocacy, awareness, healing,
and hope.
There are so many ways to make an impact:
Donate: Help us continue providing support programs, educational initiatives,
wellness experiences, and resources for individuals and families impacted by cancer.
Volunteer: Join our village of compassionate volunteers who help at events, support
outreach efforts, assemble Warrior Boxes, and create safe spaces for survivors and
thrivers.
Partner With Us: Businesses, organizations, and community leaders can collaborate
with us to expand awareness and increase access to support services.
No act of kindness is too small. Sometimes healing begins simply by knowing
someone cares.
Together, we are creating spaces where people impacted by cancer feel heard,
supported, represented, and never alone.
To donate, volunteer, or learn more, visit:
Black Girls Fighting Cancer
Follow us:
@BlackGirlsFightingCancer
@TheStilettoBossFoundation
Serve with compassion. Lead with purpose. Fight with hope.
20

Asha Miller
I Trusted My Body Before the System Did
I found the lump in the shower.
Warm water running down my back, steam filling
the room, everything ordinary... until it wasn’t.
It was small. Subtle. Easy to dismiss.
And for a moment, I almost did.
The ultrasound said everything looked normal.
Nothing to worry about. Words that are supposed
to bring relief... but instead, they sat heavy in my
chest.
Because something in me wouldn’t settle.
It wasn’t loud. It wasn’t panic. It was quiet,
persistent... a knowing I couldn’t shake.
So I asked for a biopsy anyway.
That decision changed everything.
Because a few days later, my life split into a before
and after.
Cancer.
Not whispered. Not softened. Just there. Real and
undeniable.
And what I didn’t know then was that this diagnosis
wouldn’t just reshape my body... it would stretch
me, strip me, and slowly teach me how to come
back to myself in ways I never had before.
21

I was in my early 30s. A mother.
Moving through life, raising
babies, holding everything
together... until
suddenly I wasn’t.
I remember the waiting rooms.
The quiet. The way time felt
thick and slow.
I remember being the youngest
one there.
And I remember the moment a
doctor walked in, looked past
me, and began speaking to my
mom as if
she was the patient.
As if I wasn’t sitting right there.
As if this wasn’t happening
inside of my body.
I had to stop him.
“No... it’s me.”
It was a small sentence. But it
carried everything.
Because in that moment,
something shifted.
I realized I was going to have to
speak for myself in spaces that
weren’t built to immediately
hear me.
I was going to have to advocate
for my own life.
There were moments that
broke me open.
Moments where I was in pain
and didn’t feel believed.
Moments where I felt like I had
to prove what my body was
already telling me.
And as a Black woman, that
weight is not unfamiliar. We are
often taught to be strong, to
endure
quietly, to not question too
much.
But I learned quickly that
silence can cost you.
So I began to use my voice.
Even when it shook.
Even when I didn’t have the
right words.
Even when I was tired.
I asked questions. I pushed
for answers. I changed
providers when I needed to.
Not because I wanted to be
difficult... but because I could
feel, deep in my bones, that
my life depended on it.
And still, the hardest parts
weren’t always what people
expect.
It wasn’t just the treatments.
It was what came after.
Because healing didn’t arrive
all at once. It didn’t bloom
overnight.
It came slowly. Unevenly.
In layers.
My body kept changing.
Surgery after surgery.
Decisions I never imagined I
would have to make.
I had to grieve the body I
once knew while learning how
to live inside the one I had.
To stand in front of the mirror
and see something
unfamiliar... and still choose
to stay.
To soften toward myself when
everything felt sharp.
To rebuild a relationship with
my body that wasn’t rooted in
what it looked like... but in
what it had
carried me through.
And somewhere in that
process... something began to
grow.
Not loudly. Not all at once.
But quietly. Steadily.
Like something breaking through
soil after being buried.
I wasn’t just surviving this.
I was becoming.
Becoming someone who trusted
herself.
Becoming someone who spoke
sooner.
Becoming someone who
understood that advocacy isn’t just
something you do for others... it
begins
with how you show up for yourself.
Now, when I speak about advocacy,
it comes from a place that is lived,
not learned.
It’s telling women to trust their
bodies... even when everything
around them says they’re fine.
It’s encouraging us to talk about
family history, to break the silence
that has lived too long in our
communities.
It’s reminding us that we are
allowed to ask questions, to get
second opinions, to take up space
in rooms that weren’t designed
with us in mind.
Because access matters.
Awareness matters.
But being heard... being believed...
that matters just as much.
And for Black women, it can change
everything.
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Photo Credit
Adrienne Gerber Photography
I think about the version of me in that shower
often.
The one who could have ignored it.
The one who could have accepted the first answer
and moved on.
But she didn’t.
She listened.
She trusted herself.
And because she did... I’m here.
Still healing.
Still growing.
Still blooming in ways I never expected.
Advocacy didn’t begin as something I chose.
It began as something I needed.
But now, it’s something I carry.
Something I offer.
Something I live.
And if my story reaches even one woman standing
in her own moment of uncertainty, I want her to
know this:
You are allowed to trust what you feel.
You are allowed to speak up.
And even in the hardest, most uncertain seasons...
there is still something within you that is growing.
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-Asha

U R V IV O R S
A R R I O R S
A R R I O R
T H R IV E R S
U R V IV O
T H R IV E R
U R V IV O
T H R IV E R
S U R V I V O R S . T H R I V E R S . W A R R I O R S .
R O A
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Young, Married, and Diagnosed
Amber Jackson was 30 years old, newly married, and preparing
to leave for her honeymoon when she found a small lump in her
right breast. At first, breast cancer was the last thing on her
mind. She was young, healthy, excited about marriage, and
looking forward to the life she and her husband, Josh, were
building together.
But something inside her told her to take it seriously.
After returning home from her birthday trip, Amber scheduled appointments
and eventually had a biopsy. While still on her honeymoon, she received the
call that changed everything: the biopsy was positive for breast cancer.
A m b e r J a c k s o n
In an instant, her newlywed season became filled with
doctor visits, treatment decisions, fear, and uncertainty.
Cancer did not care that she was young, a mother, newly
married, or still full of dreams for the future.
Amber’s journey included chemotherapy, fertility
preservation, hair loss, hospital visits, emotional lows,
physical weakness, and nights when she wondered how she
would make it through. Undergoing IVF before treatment
was especially emotional, forcing her to think about
motherhood, fertility, and the future at a time when she was
simply trying to survive.
Through it all, Amber says her faith became her anchor. God
carried her through every hospital visit, every tear, every
setback, and every uncertain moment. Her husband Josh
stood beside her, and her son Nico gave her another reason
to keep fighting.
Today, by the grace of God, Amber has been cancer-free
since December 2024. Even more beautifully, she and Josh
are now expecting their first child together, and Nico is
preparing to become a big brother.
Her journey inspired her memoir, In Sickness and In Health,
written for those walking through cancer, survivors,
caregivers, and loved ones supporting someone through
treatment.
Amber hopes her story reminds younger women to listen to
their bodies, speak up, and advocate for themselves. Breast
cancer does not have an age limit.
And to the woman who is fighting, grieving, afraid, or
exhausted, Amber wants you to know: there is still hope.
Your story is not over.
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Amber Jackson

CANCER RESOURCES
Care and Support for: Patients. Families. Communities
FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE
Facing treatment can bring
unexpected expenses. These
organizations help ease the
financial burden so patients
can focus on healing.
Pink Fund – Covers essential non-medical bills for patients in
active treatment. pinkfund.org
CancerCare – Offers co-pay assistance, transportation grants,
and counseling. cancercare.org
Breast Cancer Fund of Ohio – Provides emergency assistance
to Ohio residents in treatment. bcfohio.org
JD Breast Cancer Foundation – Northeast Ohio nonprofit
helping with utilities, groceries, and prescriptions.
jdbreastcancer.org
Josette Beddell Memorial Foundation – Grants for families
facing financial hardship during cancer care.
josettememorial.org
Cancer Support Community – Free groups, workshops,
and survivorship programs (virtual and local).
cancersupportcommunity.org
CancerCare – National online and in-person groups led
by oncology social workers. cancercare.org
OhioHealth & Summa Health Support Groups –
Programs for newly diagnosed patients, survivors, and
young women.
SisCare Support Circles – A community of sisterhood
and strength for women of color navigating survivorship.
SUPPORT +
COMMUNITY
Healing is more than medical
treatment—it’s connection,
care, and conversation. These
groups offer safe spaces for
emotional and peer support.
MEDICAL
GUIDANCE +
SECOND OPINIONS
Knowledge is power. These programs
connect patients with trusted
specialists and quality care resources.
Cleveland Clinic Breast Center – Comprehensive care,
second opinions, and virtual consultations.
clevelandclinic.org
OSUCCC–James Cancer Hospital – Patient navigation,
support services, and clinical trials. cancer.osu.edu
ODH Breast & Cervical Cancer Project (BCCP) – Free
screenings and navigation for eligible Ohio women.
ADVOCACY +
EDUCATION
Stay informed, empowered,
and connected to the larger
fight for awareness and
equality in cancer care.
American Cancer Society (ACS) – Offers patient services,
lodging, and advocacy. cancer.org
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) –
Policy advocacy and survivorship education.
canceradvocacy.org
Black Girls Fighting Cancer (BGFC) – Advocacy, survivor 28
storytelling, the Warrior Support Line, and care initiatives.
stilettobossfoundation.net

I am a Stage 3 breast cancer survivor.
In October 2021, while getting dressed, I felt two lumps in my
right breast. As a nurse, I immediately sought medical attention.
I was initially told I had dense tissue and calcium deposits,
something commonly found in Black and Brown women.
However, over the next several months, the lumps continued
growing and eventually became visible externally.
After additional testing and a biopsy, I was diagnosed on August
23, 2022, just days after my 43rd birthday, with HER2-positive
invasive ductal carcinoma in my right breast and lymph nodes.
Although I was first told I had Stage 2 breast cancer, I later
learned it was actually Stage 3.
After being examined again and told it was likely a cyst, I was referred to
a breast surgeon for further evaluation and a biopsy. Before my biopsy
results even came back, my surgeon looked me in the eyes and said,
“Once you receive these results, your life is going to start moving very
rapidly.” In that moment, I knew it was cancer.
On August 23, 2022, just eight days after my 43rd birthday, I was
diagnosed with HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma in both my right
breast and lymph nodes. Initially, I was told I had Stage 2 breast cancer,
but later learned it was actually Stage 3. That truth became a heavy
burden I quietly carried, even keeping it from some of my closest friends
and family.
At the time, my son had just started his junior year of high
school. Within weeks of my diagnosis, I had a port placed
and began chemotherapy, completing treatment in
January 2023. Because my cancer was aggressive, I later
underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
By May 2023, I had returned to work while undergoing
radiation treatments five days a week. Severe burns
eventually forced me to stop treatment early, but through
the pain and exhaustion, I continued showing up for my
son as he prepared for college. He remained my “why”
through every difficult moment.
Complications from radiation and reconstruction later led
to infections, emergency surgery, and removal of my
implant, forcing me to face one of the hardest emotional
moments of my journey. Still, I kept fighting.
C h a n d o l A n d e r s o n
Today, I share my story to inspire hope, encourage
women to trust their bodies, and remind others to never
stop fighting for their lives.
Chandol Anderson
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Thank you Case Comprehensive Cancer Center - SisCare Women’s Health Day!
B E C A U S E Y O U B E L I E V E D
S o m e g a v e t h e i r t i m e .
S o m e g a v e t h e i r h e a r t s .
S o m e s h o w e d u p q u i e t l y
a n d b e c a m e p a r t o f t h e
h e a l i n g .
Vo l u n t e e r s , d o n o r s ,
s u p p o r t e r s , a n d b e l i e v e r s —
y o u a r e p a r t o f e v e r y s t o r y
o f h o p e w e s h a r e .
We Love our Volunteers! Thank you Angie & Peaches!
B e c a u s e o f y o u ,
Wa r r i o r s f e e l s e e n ,
s u p p o r t e d , a n d n e v e r a l o n e .
T h i s m o v e m e n t c o n t i n u e s t o
b l o o m
b e c a u s e y o u c h o s e t o
b e l i e v e i n u s .
“We Honor Every Volunteer, Supporter, Donor, and Advocate Who Chooses to Stand Beside Our
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Warriors — Because Hope Grows Stronger When We Fight TOGETHER!” - Staci PurPose Kirk

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