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5Forward-Breast Cancer Survivor Project

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PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND THE CELEBRATORY BRUNCH ON SUNDAY, JULY 27, 2014 AT 2:30PM AT JOY TABERNACLE AME CHURCH!! 3203 HOLMES STREET, DALLAS, TX 75215


To purchase a ticket, you can make a donation on this page and indicate in your comments that you would like to attend, OR you can see me or one of the 5Forward Fighter representatives for a ticket in person!!

What is 5Forward?

By the grace of God, I celebrated my 5th year as a breast cancer survivor on March 25, 2014, having been diagnosed at age 28!! This year, to celebrate, I was divinely inspired to create 5Forward. The 5th year of survival for a person who has had breast cancer is very significant, as statistics show that a person who survives breast cancer at least 5 years is more likely to remain a survivor. So you can see why this is a very big deal!!

My objective with 5Forward is to encourage and uplift 5 young women who are either currently in breast cancer treatment, or who are cancer survivors of less than 5 years. I want to help to instill in these women the motivation not only to fight, but also to truly LIVE! This is my way of showing gratitude to God and to my supporters, and to pay that love and support forward to other women who are in a similar situation as I was 5 years ago.

The weekend of July 26-27, I will treat 3 women who meet the previously-mentioned criteria, to a day of pampering and uplifting and then to a celebratory brunch. I want to bring more awareness to other women to pay attention to their bodies for early detection. On Saturday, June 26, 2014, the ladies will participate in a papmer suite where they will receive such services as hair and makeup, styling, and a photo shoot. The next day, we will host a celebratory Sunday Brunch in their honor where they will each receive a gift basket and a financial contribution. Each lady will also be able to invite one caretaker to the dinner to be honored as well. Caretakers are vitally important to cancer fighters, and I want to honor them for their dedication and sacrifice.

Why a day of beauty?
It is often said that when you look good, you feel good. I took this statement to heart as a cancer fighter, and it really helped to put me in a state of mind to fight for my life.


During treatment, I made sure to continue to keep my hair done, and to get dressed up and go out when I could. There were times when I could barely walk or lift my arms, but I made sure to look presentable at all times. Many people around me couldn't understand why it was so important for me to look normal. I believe that sometimes when you don't feel good on the inside, it's helpful to look good. When you look in the mirror, you are reminded that you have something to fight for; to keep living for. I wanted people to see the fight in me through the light in my eyes that came from me getting up, dressed, and out when I could. I wanted to inspire people to pray for me, to speak life over me, rather than to feel sorry for me or think about me dying from the disease.


This is the reason for the makeover and the photo shoot. I want the women to get all dolled up, and then have great pictures taken of themselves at their best. Then, on those days where the treatment may seem to be getting the best of them, they can look at the pictures of themselves smiling and looking beautiful, and be reminded to keep fighting. I want the gifts that they receive to remind them that there are people who care about them and are praying for them, and also to be a source of motivation for them to keep fighting. In the 5 years since my cancer treatment, I have found that I had to fight for my life even harder than I did during treatment. I suffered many hardships and setbacks. So for the women who have completed treatment and are looking to pick up the pieces of their lives, I want them to use this experience as a spring board to a new life.


During treatment, I had to stop working, which of course placed great financial strain on me, and I actually had insurance! Therefore, I'd like to provide each woman with a monetary gift that can be used to meet whatever needs they may have. I know from experience that every little bit helps!


How can you help?
From now until July 25, 2014, you can make a financial contribution of any amount, great or small. The fundraising goal is $4,500. The money will be given directly to the women to use as they see fit. If we do not receive enough in-kind donations to support the pamper suite and the Sunday brunch, the money raised will be used to purchase needed items and supplies to make the celebratory weekend a success. If we exceed our fundraising goal, including in-kind donations, 100% of the excess funds will increase the amount of the financial contribution that each honoree will receive.


If you are a business owner, or specialize in a craft, you can make an in-kind donation of goods and/or services for the pamper suite, the Sunday brunch, and the gift baskets. Please see below for a list of potential items for the gift baskets. There should be 5 of each item that you donate to honor the 5 survivors. If you would also like to help us honor the caretakers, you can provide 5 additional items.


Your monetary donations can, of course, be given through this GoFundMe page. However, if you are making an in-kind donation, please email me and I will share where you can send your donations.


Thank you in advance for your generosity. Stay tuned for more information on the women of 5Forward and for general updates on our progress!!

Goods/Services for the Pamper Suite:
Hotel Suite (the ladies will all be together receiving services and the photo shoot)
Clothing and styling services
Hair styling services
Makeup artistry
Manicurist services
Photography services
Catered Breakfast and Lunch (could possibly be coupled with the hotel suite donation

Goods/Services for the Sunday Brunch:
Catering Services (number TBD)
Photography services
Event decorative goods/services
Live music

Potential Gift Basket Items:
Please note: this is only a guide. If you have something that you'd like to contribute that is not on this list, we welcome it!
Spa Service Gift cards
Restaurant gift cards
Walmart/Target or other grocery store gift cards
Clothing and apparel gift cards
Hand-made/ natural hair, face, and body products
Hats, scarves, and wigs (New, unused please)
Blankets
Fitness class vouchers
Health/nutrition consultative services
Mental Health services
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Donations 

  • ShaNequa Dillard
    • $50 
    • 10 yrs
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Organizer

Danielle Johnson
Organizer
Smyrna, GA

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