In this episode, Shellie interviews breast cancer survivor Robin Early. Robin shares her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer and highlights the significance of early detection. She urges women to know their bodies and be proactive about their breast health. Robin found out about her cancer through routine mammograms, and her faith and support from loved ones helped her navigate the challenges. Despite the life-changing impact of breast cancer, Robin remains optimistic and encourages others to openly talk about their experiences.

01:49 Early detection saves lives.

07:04 Faith and support are crucial.

15:55 Importance of asking questions

19:02 Take control of your treatment.

24:40 Advocate for your own health.

27:13 Seek support and information for breast cancer.

In this episode, Shellie speaks with Karen Eubanks Jackson - the Founder and CEO of Sisters Network® Inc., the oldest and largest national Black breast cancer survivorship organization.  Mrs. Jackson has been diagnosed with breast cancer four times, and in this episode she emphasizes the need for individuals to know their own bodies and pay attention to any signs of a problem. This discussion dives into importance of early detection and self-advocacy, highlights the progress made in raising awareness about breast cancer, and breaking the stigma surrounding it. Both Shellie and Mrs. Jackson share their experiences and the changes they have gone through after their diagnoses.

About KAREN EUBANKS JACKSON, FOUNDER/CEO, SISTERS NETWORK INC. 

Karen Eubanks Jackson is an inspirational woman, renowned as the Founder and CEO of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), a remarkable 30-year four-time breast cancer survivor, and an accomplished author. Karen is recognized as a pioneer in the Black breast cancer movement, a national leader, advocate, and visionary who was driven by her own personal triumphs over breast cancer to help save the lives of other black women. 

In 1994, Karen founded Sisters Network Inc. after experiencing and recognizing the absence of a supportive "sisterhood" in conventional organizations, coupled with a devastating mortality rate for Black women, she set out to confront the silence, shame and stigma associated with breast cancer in the black community. Her objective was to educate and empower Black women, encourage early detection, and ultimately increase survival rates. Today, Sisters Network Inc. is the oldest and largest national Black breast cancer survivorship organization with nearly 30 survivor-run affiliate chapters in the United States. 

Acknowledging the historical reluctance within the Black community to discuss health concerns, Karen launched the impactful STOP THE SILENCE ® campaign, encouraging criticalconversations about family health and history.

Resources

https://www.sistersnetworkinc.org/

https://www.instagram.com/sistersnetwork/

https://www.facebook.com/sistersnetworkinc/

00:57 Early detection and self-advocacy matter.

12:04 Empowerment through breast cancer advocacy.

15:19 Importance of knowledge in healthcare.

19:59 Importance of seeking multiple opinions.  

24:42. Advocate for your own healthcare.

32:30 Take control of your health.

36:01. Importance of early breast health.

This episode is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Stephen Selnick, and Editors and Mixers Stefano Montali and Rob Johnson. To learn more on how to make a podcast for you or your business visit them at rainbowcreative.co 

In this episode we are joined by Frederick Johnson from Stand Up To Cancer. In this episode he and Shellie talk about the upcoming campaign called Cancer Screen Week, this first week of December starting December 4, 2023 which aims to promote cancer screening and early detection. They highlight the significance of mammograms and breast cancer screening and share resources to get screened, discuss the challenges faced by individuals without insurance ,and the disproportionate impact on certain communities, particularly black women. You won't want to miss this episode which  emphasizes the importance of addressing these barriers and providing access to affordable healthcare.

About Cancer Screen Week

Founded by Genentech, and in partnership with the American Cancer Society, Optum and Stand Up To Cancer, Cancer Screen Week is the first and only awareness week dedicated to understanding the benefits of regular cancer screenings for all cancer types. The week takes place annually the first full week of December (this year, December 4-8). We bring the campaign to life through the website www.cancerscreenweek.org, earned media/storytelling, and digital media including paid advertising.

Campaign Goals:

• Increase national awareness of the importance of regular cancer screening and early detection among U.S. adults 35+
• Reach underserved populations that experience disparities in cancer (specifically Black, Latino, and Tribal communities)
• Generate grassroots engagement locally in communities nationwide
•  Breast cancer is one of the cancers highlighted for regular screenings. 

Resources

• https://standuptocancer.org/
• https://www.instagram.com/su2c/

Timestamps

02:32 Importance of cancer screening

06:00 Importance of access to information.

12:01 Regular screening is crucial.

16:27 Importance of knowing family history.

23:39 Be your own healthcare advocate.

27:07 Advocate for your own healthcare.

32:09 Advocacy organizations provide valuable resources.

39:12 Health inequities affect cancer treatment.

43:23 Engage people in decision-making.

This episode is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Stephen Selnick, and Editors and Mixers Stefano Montali and Rob Johnson. To learn more on how to make a podcast for you or your business visit them at rainbowcreative.co 

This episode features Marissa Thomas who is the CoFounder and CEO of For the Breast of Us. In this episode, we hear both Marissa and Shellie's stories about their experiences of being diagnosed with breast cancer ,and the fear they felt. In this episode, Marissa explains that her organization aims to provide resources and support to African-American women who often face unique challenges in the medical system. They discuss the importance of accessible information and how "The Breast of Us" uses social media and the internet to reach women across the world.

About Marissa Thomas

Marissa Thomas is a patient advocate and breast cancer thriver who was diagnosed in 2015 with stage II breast cancer. She is the CoFounder and CEO of For the Breast of Us, an inclusive online community for Women of Color impacted by breast cancer. As a woman of color diagnosed with early stage breast cancer, Marissa co- founded "For the Breast of Us" to provide women of color with a resource tailored to us and personal accounts expressed by us.

Marissa's passion is to educate women on how to navigate the healthcare system to make it work for them. She also wants women to know they can continue living their best life, regardless of the circumstance by advocating for themselves, embracing their community and expanding their education on the disease. Marissa holds a BS in Healthcare Administration, serves on the board of Living Beyond Breast Cancer, is a certified Living Beyond Breast Cancer Young Advocate and NBCC Project Lead graduate.

About The Breast of Us

A cancer diagnosis changes everything. As a woman of color, where do you go or who do you turn to when you’re in the midst of the fight of your life? You search online for stories and images of women who’ve gone through treatment and look like you, but you find little to nothing. Maybe you scroll down your timeline on social media, hoping to see a glimmer of hope in the face of other fighters and survivors, but you still yearn for something more. That’s where “For the Breast of Us” comes in. Their mission is to empower women of color affected by breast cancer to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives through education, advocacy and community.

Resources

• https://www.breastofus.com/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/forthebreastofus/

00:14 Empowering black women with breast cancer.

07:36 Better communication for cancer patients.

10:43 Support and partnership in healthcare.

17:20 Importance of patient advocacy

19:36 Support and connection heal cancer.

25:03 Importance of sharing breast cancer stories.

29:23 Partnership and future collaboration.

This episode is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Stephen Selnick, and Editors and Mixers Stefano Montali and Rob Johnson. To learn more on how to make a podcast for you or your business visit them at rainbowcreative.co 

In this premiere episode, Shellie Turner interviews Bridgette Hempstead who survived breast cancer and created an organization, The Cierra Sisters to support others. They discuss the lack of resources and support available when they were diagnosed, and the importance of sharing stories and information. Bridgette shares her personal experience with breast cancer, from the initial diagnosis to her journey through treatment. This episode also discusses the impact of the diagnosis on their lives and how it led them to create platforms and organizations for breast cancer survivors.

About the Cierra Sisters

Cierra Sisters was founded by Bridgette Hempstead shortly after her own diagnosis. It is a breast cancer survivor and support organization. The name is rooted in African origins; “Cierra” meaning “knowing”, reminding us that knowledge is in fact  power. Their mission is to break the cycle of fear and increase knowledge concerning breast cancer in the African-American and underserved communities. Though they are based in Seattle Washington, Cierra Sisters is committed to increasing local, state, and nationwide attention to the devastating impact of breast cancer.

Resources:

• https://cierrasisters.org/
• https://cierrasisters.org/information
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cierra_sisters/

02:05 Breast cancer diagnosis led to advocacy.

10:52 Support and educate breast cancer patients

15:26 Importance of clinical trials for African-American women.

18:25 Advocate for your own health.

23:54 Importance of support during illness.

32:46 Advocate for proper medical care.

35:09 Advocate for yourself in healthcare.

This episode is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Producer Stephen Selnick, and Editors and Mixers Stefano Montali and Rob Johnson. To learn more on how to make a podcast for you or your business visit them at rainbowcreative.co 

Breast Cancer doesn't care where you live, who you know, how healthy you are, how many initials you have behind your name, or the color of your skin. It could care less about money. This is a party that you never RSVP’d to, yet you are the guest of honor… and you don’t know what to do next. 

Being diagnosed with breast cancer is where the discussion starts. Join host Shellie Turner in her new podcast that will shine light upon the darkness of diagnosis, giving you the support and information you need to keep moving forward from fellow fighters and survivors. We know you have questions, and this is a space where you can begin to find answers, community, and a voice for yourself in this journey.  C. We Do Have a Voice welcomes you to the marvelous light of day. 

Subscribe now for episodes dropping weekly in December 2023.

This podcast is produced by Rainbow Creative with Matthew Jones as Executive Producer, Stephen Selnick as Producer, and Rob Johnson and Stefano Montali as Editors and Sound Engineers. To learn more how to make a podcast for you or your business, visit them at rainbowcreative.co.