Hey queens, as you all know October is breast cancer awareness month and I decided to celebrate by chatting with none other than News Anchor WFTV in Orlando, Florida, and cancer survivor, Vanessa Lorraine Echols. Not only has she been inspiring young journalists like myself for over 28 years but she used her own battle with cancer to fuel her passion to start her own foundation.
Compassionate Hands & Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach was developed in 2007 with a mission to make a difference in the lives of breast cancer patients in Central Florida.
Compassionate Hands & Hearts is made up of cancer survivors, and they support cancer patients by volunteering their time and resources to play a vital role in their recovery.
Vanessa and I chatted about the challenges she’s faced during the pandemic working as a news anchor, her inspiration for starting Compassionate Hands & Hearts, the importance of early detection, and pivotal breakthrough moments in her life.
You can watch the full interview on my YouTube Channel here:
I couldn’t let the month pass by without acknowledging the work being done to fight cancer and how vital it is to get mammograms and regular check-ups.
I had the amazing opportunity to speak with another cancer survivor and mother of three, Sandy Campbell.
Sandy Campbell is the patient program manager for Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation in Orlando, Fl.
We discussed her experience being diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma and her fight between life and death in 2015. It took over five years for Sandy's hair to grow back but even though Sandy struggled she kept fighting for her life.
Sandy never gave up and she says she could not have made it through without “the support from Libby’s Legacy” they are more than just her employers they are a part of her family.
Sandy strives to advocate for other breast cancer patients and survivors and has received her certification in Patient Navigation from George Washington University.
You can watch the full interview on my YouTube Channel here:
I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to listen to these two amazing breast cancer fighters stories. They definitely inspired me to have a greater appreciation for life and take my health more seriously as we all should.
To learn more about Compassionate Hands & Hearts and donate you can go to their website here.
To learn more about Libby’s Legacy Breast Cancer Foundation and donate you can go to their website here.
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