When I heard the words “triple negative breast cancer,” I had no idea what they meant. Because of my faith though, I soon decided that for me it means triple positive faith. I felt I was triple positively blessed by the Holy Trinity … Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I was diagnosed with a routine mammogram in 2010 and then had a lumpectomy, chemo, and radiation.
I had the best support team ever with my children, my friends, and family. After about a year, I joined the Cancer Support Community of Philadelphia and met Yvonne McLean Florence and Sarita Joy Jordan there. They both told me about the PBCC, and Yvonne invited me to join her at the PBCC conference in 2015. I enjoyed the conference so much, especially when they announced at the luncheon that 3D mammograms would be covered by insurance. That was a “wow” moment! I was also glad to be able to meet Dr. Edith Mitchell, and to hear about her research on triple negative breast cancer. That is another reason I like the PBCC, because of the research.
Going through breast cancer made me a much stronger person. I have always been the quiet, shy one. This seemed to bring me out of my shell because I learned you could be a positive force in someone else’s life. I want other women to know that this is not your battle. You have to trust and believe that cancer is not a death sentence. You can keep going and keep moving. They will continue to find new treatments and it will be OK.
Without the PBCC, there would be so many people struggling to get mammograms now. Also, 3D mammograms still would not be covered by insurance in Pennsylvania. Without the PBCC, we would be back in the stone age.
Praise Worthy Creations and Events honored Gloria with the Sarita Joy Strength Award at their annual Pink Tea in April. Yvonne was one of the recipients last year and this year the award was renamed to honor the memory of Sarita Joy Jordan, who represented Philadelphia in the PBCC traveling photo exhibit.