Sisters Network Columbus Ohio
R.I.S.E. Sisters Efforts
ional Inspirat g n i iz l Revita
Volume 1, Issue 1 April 2010
Sisters Columbus Ohio Has An Office In March 2008, a group of African American breast cancer survivors recognized the need for a local Sisters Network chapter in Columbus, Ohio. Meeting here and meeting there, the Sisters decided they needed their own space. A little over a year later, they began their search. It wasn’t long before they found the ideal office location. Located on the southeast side of town, in a predominantly African American community, accessibility will be no problem for those the Sisters will be serving.
A few furnishings and the placement of knickknacks, Sisters was ready for business. December 5, 2009, Sisters had their grand opening. More than 100 supporters from abroad came out to show the Sisters some love. Guests included Councilman Herchel Craig and his lovely wife, Linda; Councilwoman, Charletta Tavares; a local youth drumline, The Saints, who was banging those drums and rocking those instruments (yeah, yeah); and The Northeast Sisters Network Affiliate Chapter from Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.
The grandest entrance was the Chosen Few Corvette Club. Them corvettes rolled in mighty nicely and the members were sporting those pink shirts. All in all, the event turned out to be successful and the Sisters was loving every moment. Thank you to all our supporters.
find a cure. The walk will benefit Sisters Network Breast Cancer Assistance Program (B-CAP), which
President’s Welcome
2
Poem
2
Editorial
2
Fundraising Event
3
President on TV
3
A Nurse Who Knows
3
About Us
Back
Isaiah 40:31
1st National African American Breast Cancer 5 K Wa l k / R u n In April, 2010, Sisters Network Inc will make history by holding the 1st National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk /Run in Houston, Texas. The historic event will be an annual walk to empower, bring about breast cancer awareness and replace fear with hope as participants from across the country Walk together to
Inside this issue:
provides assistance to women facing financial challenges after diagnosis. In existence since 2006, this program has provided financial assistance for mammograms, co-pays, office visits, prescriptions, medical lodging and transportation. Funds raised from the Walk will assist women throughout the United States.
“...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” NIV
R.I.S.E.
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President’s Welcome Welcome to the inaugural issue of our newsletter R.I.S.E.. As president and co-founder of Sisters Network Columbus, I have a vested interest in seeing this organization accomplish our mission of educating African American women of breast cancer. This chapter was formed in 2008, and God has sent a strong group of women who believe in the mission and are willing to achieve the goal of the organization. We are dedicated in helping women take control and become advocates in their treatment plan. When you hear the words “you have breast cancer’, those words cut through you like a knife and everything goes numb. We want to educate women so that if they hear those words, they will be con-
sumed with knowledge and not fear. The first step is to understand the disease and then to know your options. Once you know these two things, it will make the difference and you can be more involved in your treatment plan. This is a journey that too many has and will travel. Sisters Network Columbus is here to help you or someone you know travel this road with confidence. Be proactive and not reactive, because a diagnosis of breast cancer is no longer a death sentence. You can take control by doing self breast exams, getting a mammogram and an annual clinical exam. Early detection really does save lives.
monthly self breast exam, getting annual mammograms and an annual clinical exam, I found my lump and knew what it was. I was bigger than cancer and decided that I was in control. I became self taught about the disease. I was extremely active in my treatment plan and was able to make decisions that were best for me. Here in Columbus we are here to serve you, by holding seminars, workshops and other learning opportunities in our communities to empower you. By all of us working together, we can make a difference.
I am a 5 year breast cancer survivor because I am proactive in doing my
Wanda L. Brown, President
The Repentant Soul
So check us out and see what we are doing.
created by Suerathia Turner
It's not that rose so precisely cut as it is the fallen sinner who by the Grace of God gets up. It's not that fine car parked high on a hill as it is a burnin desire for the Master's Will. It can never be the diplomat or the bomb he releases or this shattered world with all it's broken pieces.
Editorial Welcome to the first edition of R.I.S.E., an exclusive newsletter designed for Sisters Network Columbus Ohio. We hope you will enjoy the messages conveyed, as well as, the overall project itself.
...‘RE’ is in reference to or concerning a person, place, or thing. It is a noun.
Sisters Columbus Ohio is soaring higher and higher everyday. Many of you have shown us so much love and support. Keep it coming because we are definitely going to keep giving it back to the community. Each issue we will focus on a ‘RE’ theory. Now you say, “What is “RE” and what does it mean? Well according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, “‘RE’ is in reference to or concerning [a person, place, or thing.]” It is a noun. A word beginning with “Re” will be the issue’s focus. As we journey through the year 2010, we
plan to keep you informed through this newsletter. Let us know what you think or would like to see included, and if you are a breast cancer survivor, send us a poem, a story or an inspirational piece. Who knows, you may see your name in print and so will others around the country. With Sisterly Love,
Delphine Mays, Editor-In-Chief
Volume 1, Issue 1
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Ohio University Student Hosts Event By Delphine Mays John Lee, a Political Science major at Ohio University, seeks causes and brings people together to support the cause. “...show people of all races how to come together,” passionately spoken by John Lee, founder of The People’s Foundation located in Cleveland, Ohio. John’s mother has been a breast cancer survivor for ten years. On February 26, 2010, a cold, blustery, snowy evening, the People’s Foundation presented “Sing for the Cure”, a breast cancer benefit gos-
pel concert. The free event was held at the First Church of God on Refugee Road in Columbus, Ohio. Keynote speaker, Dr. William Hicks, Professor, Clinical Hematology and Oncology @ Ohio State University, enlightened many about the aspects of the disease.
The month of February was a busy month for Sisters Network Columbus Ohio, or should I say for President Wanda L. Brown.
Needless to say our President was ecstatic when she got the call to appear live on the show on February 16, 2010.
NBC4, a local television station airs a locally produced talk show hosted by Emmy award winning, television anchor and reporter, Gail Hogan. This show known as Daytime Columbus, showcases stories, services, and local events pertaining to the Columbus Ohio community.
But beyond that excitement, Wanda wanted her two minutes of fame to be more memorable for the audience than herself. Her goal was to get as much information out to the community concerning breast cancer and Sisters Network. Overall, she accomplished her goal. I too was excited as I watched her educate
A Nurse Who Sells For a Cause On January 27th, at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Bertie Ford received the Tarceva Clinical Specialist of the year award from Genentech BioOncology. This award is given to the person “I am so thankful that my passion for oncology has allowed me so many amazing work and volunteer opportunities.”
Bertie Ford, RN
Photo of John Lee, President of The People’s Foundation and Wanda L. Brown, President of Sisters Network Columbus Ohio.
Eight spiritual choirs from around the city performed. The tunes came from the First Church of God, Columbus State Community College, Dominion Middle School, Liberty Christian High School, Dublin Jerome High School, OSU African American Voices, Norton Middle School, and Fort Hayes Professional Ensemble. Freewill donations were encouraged.
President Wanda Brown Goes Live
The half hour show is aired everyday at 11:00AM.
Proceeds from the event benefited the Sisters Network Columbus OH Affiliate Chapter.
Bertie Ford
by Delphine Mays the Columbus Ohio viewers on the importance of self exams, mammograms, annual clinical breast exams, and being your own pioneer. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to wish me Happy Birthday, but I’ll get over it. Great job Wanda and thanks NBC4 for giving Sisters Network your support. They even put our link on their website. http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/online/ daytime/daytime_links/
by Delphine Mays with the highest Tarceva drug sales in the entire company. Tarceva is a chemotherapy drug that targets a specific protein within cancer cells and stops the cells from growing. Bertie has been an oncology nurse for her entire professional life and serves as an Advisor on the Sisters Network Columbus Ohio Affiliate Chapter. Bertie also serves as a national board member for Sisters Network Inc.
Sisters Network Columbus OH Affiliate Chapter
2101 South Hamilton Road Suite 105 Columbus, Ohio 43232 Phone: 614.866.1107 Toll Free: 1.866.544.1771 Fax: 614.866.1274 E-mail: sisters-columbusoh@wowway.com
Mission Statement:
We are committed to increasing Local and National attention to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.
Sisters Network Columbus OH is a breast cancer survivorship organization targeting African American women in Columbus, Ohio. In 2008 a group of African American breast cancer survivors started the local Sisters Network chapter after recognizing the need for an organization that provides support, education, advocacy, and research. As an affiliate chapter of the national Sisters Network®, Inc., the Columbus OH chapter provides an environment for women to rejuvenate, reconnect, restore and find reassurance by knowing they are not alone in their journey of healing.
We’re also on the web:
Sisters Network®, Inc. National Creed
www.sistersnetworkcolumbusoh.org
In Unity there is Strength; In Strength there is Power; In Power there is Change
Columbus Ohio Affiliate Chapter Leaders Advisors
Wanda L. Brown President and Co-Founder
Dr. William Hicks
Outreach
Supporters
Vera Thomas
Chosen Few Corvette Club
Bertie Ford, RN
Dr. Dorothy Jones, Podiatrist
Delphine S. Mays
Juanita Clark
Fundraiser
OCSEA—District 6
Vice President
Barbara Beckwith
Chastity Cooper
Your Grand Affair, Photographer
Katherine Slaughter Fundraising Coordinator
Committees Communications
Social Media Manager Shelly Hunt
Columbus Chapter of Oncology Nursing Society
Membership
Beauty All Over
Louella Jeter
Columbus Saints Drumline
Delphine Mays Suerathia Turner
Events Leesha Harris
Haven of Hope @ Zangmeister
Komen Columbus Race for the Cure The People’s Foundation