Joy, excitement and inspiration filled The Monticello’s lounge in celebration of breast cancer fighters, survivors and caregivers for the “BET Her Fights: Breast Cancer” Viewing Party.
The Calloway Women’s Endowment Fund, Charge Up Campaign and Boss Chix ATL rolled out the pink carpet for breast cancer warriors and supporters to tell their stories and raise awareness. The televised ceremony honored actress and 10 year breast cancer survivor Vanessa Bell Calloway and entrepreneur, philanthropist and breast cancer survivor Erika Bracey, a.k.a. The Brave Chick.
Bracey created a foundation named Different Shades of Pink, which provides resources to cancer patients and their families. The author of “Brave Chick: I Didn’t Wake Up Like This” also advocates for young women to pursue healthy lifestyles. She founded The Brave Chick Movement in 2013 and travels globally promoting communal advocacy, global inclusion, nondiscriminatory health care benefits and hope according to BET.com.
“Speak life and believe that the challenge set before you is a test that will become your testimony,” Bracey said.
Calloway was also motivated to not allow cancer to dictate her life. She became the spokesperson for Susan G. Komen’s national campaign Know Your Girls. The esteemed actress has relaunched her celebrity talk show on IGTV “In The Company of Friends — All Things Healthy.”
“I had cancer, it did not have me,” Calloway said. “I was determined not to let cancer dictate the rest of my precious, beautiful life.”
Throughout the viewing party, guests were honored and had the opportunity to share how breast cancer has motivated them to take action.
Lakeitha Rousseau was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 at 37 after feeling a tug to get a mammogram. She went through four cycles of chemotherapy, four and a half weeks of radiation and a lumpectomy to become breast cancer free. The four year survivor worked at a cancer center a year before being diagnosed, so she saw other breast cancer survivor’s journeys.
“I always say God has a purpose for everything,” Rousseau said.
The mother of two lost her husband to renal failure a year and a half before the diagnosis, so she leaned on her faith and support system to beat the disease for her sons. Since becoming breast cancer free, she founded the Shine Bright Like A Diamond Foundation to help breast cancer fighters financially, spiritually and mentally.
Her foundation recently had its second annual Shine Bright Like A Diamond Gala, which gives breast cancer fighters the opportunity to be glamorous for a night and forget about cancer. The night also includes guest speakers, delicious food and vivacious music. It’s a night where ladies lean on each other with their supporters surrounding them.
“My motto is if you look good, you feel good,” Rousseau said.
Charessa Sawyer founded the Charge Up Campaign after her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a caregiver, Sawyer saw how her mother changed throughout her journey. The inspiration for the organization’s name came from Sawyer seeing her mother charged up and with a new attitude after spending time in Florida during treatment.
“I realized that we were working so hard to keep her alive that we forgot she was still here,” Sawyer said.
Along with raising awareness, the Charge Up Campaign strives to help men and women feel good about themselves and charge up no matter the diagnosis. They are continuing to unify with other organizations like The Calloway Women’s Endowment Fund and The Cancer Treatment Centers of America to bring positivity to cancer warriors and caregivers.
“We charge up,” Sawyer said. “We have to live our lives, and that’s what it’s about.”
Guests left the event charged up and energized after dancing the night away. You can get more information about the Shine Bright Like A Diamond Foundation through Facebook as well as the Charge Up Campaign through Instagram, Facebook and their website.
Caleb Britt 