A Pink Christmas Foundation brings support to women with breast cancer
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 8News spoke with Ladonna Lewis in the morning on Tuesday, Oct. 15 about how her breast cancer journey ignited her spark to help others. Lewis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, 18 years after her mother died from the same cancer, which led her down a path of supporting others by founding A Pink Christmas Foundation. 8News Anchors Delaney Hall and Autumn Childress spoke with Lewis about what led her to founding the organization, and the work it does for women who are diagnosed. When asked what drives her to help others, Lewis said both race and age play a role in the lack of diagnoses for those who have breast cancer as well as the lack of access to resources once a diagnosis is given. "I'm adamant about telling my story because there are a lot of young African American women who are diagnosed with breast cancer all the time and don't have the resources available for them," Lewis said. "A lot of times, doctors look at us like we're too young to get breast cancer because screening is supposed to start at the age of 40, but I was actually 27 when I was diagnosed and my mom was 23 when she was diagnosed." Lewis explained that her mother's cancer journey was kept a secret, and was disclosed only with Lewis' aunt, who also died due to breast cancer. Because of this, Lewis said she doesn't know much, other than that her mother was diagnosed at 23, went into remission, and the cancer came back when she was about 42 or 43. (Photo: Jessica Wetzler/ 8News)(Photo: Jessica Wetzler/ 8News) Lewis then explained that her own breast cancer journey began when describing her family history to her doctor. "I told her one time about my family history, losing my mom, my grandfather, a number of aunts, and she said, 'We need to get you genetic tested,'" Lewis said. Lewis said that she then completed the genetic testing, and afterward, she found out she was positive for BRCA1, which indicates an increased risk of developing certain cancers. Lewis said that despite this testing, she had previously done her mammogram that year, which came back clear, but it wasn't until she received an MRI scan that she found out she had breast cancer. Each year, Lewis said A Pink Christmas Foundation sponsors a brunch for a mother with breast cancer and her child/children to help alleviate a bit of stress during the holiday season. Lewis said this year, the brunch is on Dec. 15, and applications are currently open for the brunch. For more information about the organization and its Christmas brunch event, visit A Pink Christmas Foundation's website.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and 8News spoke with Ladonna Lewis in the morning on Tuesday, Oct. 15 about how her breast cancer journey ignited her spark to help others.
Lewis was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, 18 years after her mother died from the same cancer, which led her down a path of supporting others by founding A Pink Christmas Foundation.
8News Anchors Delaney Hall and Autumn Childress spoke with Lewis about what led her to founding the organization, and the work it does for women who are diagnosed.
When asked what drives her to help others, Lewis said both race and age play a role in the lack of diagnoses for those who have breast cancer as well as the lack of access to resources once a diagnosis is given.
"I'm adamant about telling my story because there are a lot of young African American women who are diagnosed with breast cancer all the time and don't have the resources available for them," Lewis said. "A lot of times, doctors look at us like we're too young to get breast cancer because screening is supposed to start at the age of 40, but I was actually 27 when I was diagnosed and my mom was 23 when she was diagnosed."
Lewis explained that her mother's cancer journey was kept a secret, and was disclosed only with Lewis' aunt, who also died due to breast cancer. Because of this, Lewis said she doesn't know much, other than that her mother was diagnosed at 23, went into remission, and the cancer came back when she was about 42 or 43.
(Photo: Jessica Wetzler/ 8News)
(Photo: Jessica Wetzler/ 8News)
Lewis then explained that her own breast cancer journey began when describing her family history to her doctor.
"I told her one time about my family history, losing my mom, my grandfather, a number of aunts, and she said, 'We need to get you genetic tested,'" Lewis said.
Lewis said that she then completed the genetic testing, and afterward, she found out she was positive for BRCA1, which indicates an increased risk of developing certain cancers.
Lewis said that despite this testing, she had previously done her mammogram that year, which came back clear, but it wasn't until she received an MRI scan that she found out she had breast cancer.
Each year, Lewis said A Pink Christmas Foundation sponsors a brunch for a mother with breast cancer and her child/children to help alleviate a bit of stress during the holiday season.
Lewis said this year, the brunch is on Dec. 15, and applications are currently open for the brunch.
For more information about the organization and its Christmas brunch event, visit A Pink Christmas Foundation's website.
