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Kwame Thomas Kwame Thomas is a 24 year old graduate of Benedictine University Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in business and marketing. Being a college graduate and son who witnessed his mother being a breast cancer survivor is what qualifies him for this scholarship. Here's what he has to say about how breast cancer has changed his life and his journey with breast cancer as a supporter. At the end of 2023, as the world was preparing for a new year full of hope and resolutions, my world was turned upside down. I had just gotten off the phone with my mom when she shared the news that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. My heart sank, and a of thousand questions flooded my mind. I immediately started researching everything I could about breast cancer, desperate to understand what this meant for her, for myself, and our family. She told me not to worry, and she tried to be strong for me. But of course, I worried because it was a lot for me to process and that conversation changed something in me. I began to appreciate the time I had with her more deeply. I paid attention to the little things such as her laugh, her voice, the way she always knew how to comfort me. I realized that having a mom is a blessing that not everyone gets to keep forever, and I made it my mission to be there for her as much as possible. Thankfully, the doctors caught the lump early. That was the best news I could’ve hoped for. That meant there was a chance to fight this before it spread further. I watched her go to countless doctor’s appointments, sit through chemo and radiation, and face each day with courage. One of the most unexpected blessings during this time was how it brought me and my little brother closer together. Watching my mother go through this, as a team made our bond stronger than ever, and I’m so grateful we had each other to get through it. But what amazed me most was her spirit. Even when she felt weak, she never let it break her. She faced her treatments with her head held high, and little by little, I saw her get stronger. My mother has always been my greatest motivation, but this experience showed me just how powerful resilience and hope can be. It taught me that even in the darkest moments, there is light. My mom’s journey reminded me that life is fragile, but it’s also beautiful. We don’t always get to choose what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we respond. I truly believe that this gave her a second chance and a renewed purpose to keep living and loving life. As for me and for my little brother I believe it gave us a deeper appreciation for the strong woman we’re blessed to call Mom. BACK

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Join A Team! Dont want to join a team? WALK AS AN INDIVIDUAL START A TEAM Sorry, but this form is now closed. But don't worry! You can still register the same day at the walk! Hope to see you there! * First name * Last name * Team Name * Are you a survivor? Choose one * Address Address 2 * City * State * Zip Code * Age * Email * Phone Number * I agree to the terms and conditions. * Product Registration fee $30 Submit Terms and conditions. BACK HOME

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Messages of HOPE Stories of survivors and encouraging words from supporters. Together we are stronger. SEND A MESSAGE KENITA BELL-PERRY I have been so apprehensive about positing but I know that I need to...2022 was a year I never thought I would have heard the words that forever changed my life, "You are diagnosed with Breast Cancer."...... Read More LINDA SPIVEY I was diagnosed August 2006 lump in breast. I wasn't alarmed because I thought it was just another cyst, so I was planning to have my regular cyst aspiration done until I saw a dimple... Read More RENEE CABRERA When I went to my routine mammogram appointment, a spot on the x-ray was discovered. I was asked to get a biopsy done... Read More LATONYA TEPLAN I discovered a lump in my right breast at Kohls with Nova Mines, Catrice, Andrea and Elena. I asked them to feel what I felt and they encouraged me to contact my doctor... Read More

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Let's Tackle Breast Cancer! Sorry, but this form is now closed. First name* Last name* Email* Survivor?* Yes No Product* Ticket $40 Submit BACK HOME

Xaria Smith Xaria Smith is a 21 year old student who currently attends University of Arkansas and plans to graduate May 2026. Being a college student and daughter of a mother who is a breast cancer survivor is what qualifies her for this scholarship. Take a look at what she has to say about how breast cancer has changed her life and her journey as a supporter. "On October 21st, 2003, my 16th birthday, my mom was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer. The life I knew had changed the moment she sat my family and I on the couch in our living room with tears in her eyes. At the age of 16, I set aside my role as a teenager to become a care giver for not only my mother, but my father who had been battling with stage four kidney failure since the summer prior. Instead of switching my work and school schedule to attend the high school football games, I was switching my schedules around to ensure I could get my parents to and from their doctor appointments or surgeries. I had added well over 50,000 miles onto my car within the span of 7 to 8 months. I was a full-time high school student with two jobs and bigger responsibilities than any teenager should be given. The more responsibilities expected of me, the more appointments I scheduled with my therapist at the time. Due to the strictly transactional/care giver relationship that had formed between my father and I, my mother was seemingly my only parent. Every one of her appointments and checkups motivated the manifestation of an all-consuming anxiety. While my peers began to plan the universities, they were striving for and the decorations they were adding to their caps, I was learning how to mourn two people I was close to losing. Graduating high school and beginning my future didn’t mean much if my mom was going to be stuck in the confinements of the hospital walls, repeating the draining routine of blood draws and chemo appointments. I thought my life would go back ‘to normal’ when my mom went into remission roughly two years into her journey and I could have never been more wrong. I had forgotten what it was like to act my age and fall back into my role as a daughter. I had forgotten what it was like to put myself first, emotions and all. I hadn’t truly realized how badly I felt I was drowning because I forgot how to ask for help. Still to this day, I am relearning that it is okay to not be okay. At the age of 20, I am slowly making up for the fun teenage years I had missed, allowing myself to take a deep breath and live for myself." BACK

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Savanna Vinson Savanna Vinson is a 20 year old student who currently attends University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and plans to graduate May 2027. Being a college student and daughter who witnessed her mother being a breast cancer survivor is what qualifies her for this scholarship. Here's what she has to say about how breast cancer has changed her life and her journey with breast cancer as a supporter. "I was young, but I do know that cancer sucks. Cancer is the worst kind of disease any person can have in their lifetime. I have had several family members who have had cancer. This brings me to share a story about a SURVIVOR! My Mom! My Warrior! My example of STRENGTH and determination; and her testimony of her battle with cancer. My Mom has been a breast cancer survivor for 18 years. Her breast cancer diagnosis came only a few months after I was born. For as long as I can remember, my mom has had to soldier up against this attack on her body; all while being a mom. My mom! (Tammy). She is a very caring, sweet and loving individual. And please don’t let me forget to share that she is a phenomenal cook. Her symptoms and side effects from chemotherapy. The frequent doctor’s appointments, the pain (that she tried to hide from me and my younger sister), the medications; everything became more apparent. My mom made sure my sister and I did not miss a beat with her being sick. Growing up and understanding what having breast cancer can do to a person, what other illnesses it leads to. Watching my mom get sick and have heart problems, which would have her in the hospital several times; still makes me emotional. My sister and I would usually be with a family member who would take us to school. As a result, the repercussions of my mom's breast cancer affected her body and life, but for me it affected my childhood. With her having to deal with the aftermath of breast cancer made it hard for her to live. Dealing with health problems and raising 2 kids on her own wasn’t easy. As a single mother she must rely on checks in order to take care of my sister and me. Since she had heart problems, she couldn’t work a job because of her health problems, which made a way for her to become a stay-at-home mom. It helped me be good at school. That would make me the scholar that I am today." BACK