The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Champion of Change Wanda Lucas is a 5 year breast cancer survivor who, through her work at Georgetown University, serves as Lead Survivor Coach on breast cancer research projects. As part of breast cancer awareness month, she shares her thoughts on the urgent fight against the disease.
Ed. Note: Champions of Change is a weekly initiative to highlight Americans who are making an impact in their communities and helping our country rise to meet the many challenges of the 21st century.
I am angry. Anger is a strong word and an emotion which is often difficult to admit. But, I will admit that I am angry that some women are not living to become mothers, grandmothers or enjoy friendships that last over 50 years. Sadly, I am not alone as young girls are angry that they are growing up without their mothers. Anger. The strength of the word can cause one to take action. It made me step forward and say “What can I do”? How angry do we have to become before we stop women from dying of breast cancer?
I am becoming impatient. With all of the knowledge and so called breakthroughs in science, I wonder why we have not been able to stop breast cancer from developing. And if developed, why can’t we stop it from spreading throughout a women’s body (metastasis)? How can we force the envelope for change? We don’t have time to waste. We need to change the way we have been approaching this for the past 30 years. We need to communicate, collaborate so that we can celebrate.
I am also frustrated because there is so much misinformation being communicated to the public. I urge you to become familiar with the facts because misinformation is hurting women almost as much as breast cancer. Get the Truth. Know the Truth. The National Breast Cancer Coalition can deliver daily information to your inbox every day during the month of October.
I have worked with women who have received a recent diagnosis of breast cancer through the Sisters Informing Sisters program. It is difficult to tell them to remain hopeful and fight when they have personally witnessed someone dying from breast cancer, despite going through treatment. We need to end this disease.
My personal truth. I fully support Breast Cancer Deadline 2020. Are you with me?
Wanda Lucas is a 5 year breast cancer survivor who, through her work at Georgetown University, serves as Lead Survivor Coach on breast cancer research projects.
