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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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Walk As An Individual! Dont want to walk as an individual? JOIN A TEAM START A TEAM Sorry, but this form is now closed. * First name * Last name * Shirt Size Choose one * Are you a survivor? Choose one * Address Address 2 * City * State * Zip Code * Age * Email * Phone * I agree to the terms and conditions. * Product Registration fee + $5 extra for shirt $35 Submit Terms and conditions. BACK HOME

< Back Grant Administrator/Writer We are seeking a student who is a meticulous, sharp, articulate and research-savvvy Grant Writer, who can turn heart-wrenching stories into compelling arguments for funding. In this role, you will learn the art and science of securing funds from foundations, corporations, and government entities. You will be drafting narratives that result in real dollars for breast cancer awareness, education, support and patient aid. If you enjoy research, have impeccable grammar, and want a skill set that is highly employable in the non-profit sector, this is the internship for you. Requirements Research and identify new funding opportunities that align with our mission and programs. Assist in applying for full grant proposals. Write compelling narratives that blend statistical data (e.g., cancer survival rates, age, gender, etc.) with emotional storytelling (e.g., patient testimonials). Also responsible for updating the Grants Calendar to ensure no deadlines are missed for applications or reports. Assist in gathering data for "Grant Reports" (documents sent to funders explaining how we spent their money). Maintain digital files of grant agreements, acknowledgement letters, and budgets. Collaborate with other team members to gather the latest statistics on how many patients we served, ensuring our proposals use the most current data. Qualifications Needed Develop superior writing skills and the ability to write clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Attention to detail and accuracy. Follow instructions and able to dig deep to find information. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel (basic budgeting skills are a huge plus). Job Description

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

< Back Mackenzie Currans's Story Hello, my name is Mackenzie Currans, I am 48 years of age. On October 4, 2013, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 HER2NEU positive ER/PR negative breast cancer at the age of 36. I did 6 rounds of chemotherapy, 8-hour days, which was followed by a bilateral mastectomy. After the bilateral mastectomy I then received 38 rounds of radiation, then continued with Herceptin infusions for another 6 months. I have had a total of 13 surgeries and I’m still standing strong today! Everyone suggested that I go to Northwestern or Rush Hospital. However, I chose to listen to my doctors and their recommendations to receive my treatments at Alexian Brothers. Alexian Brothers Hospital was only 2 miles away from home which made it easier for me to get back and forth to treatments. Because of Ascension Alexian Brothers Cancer Center Care team, I am here today! In October 2019, after getting the wonderful news that I was 5 years cancer free, I made the decision to give back to other breast cancer patients by starting the Mac-Attack event and helping those in the fight. Previous Connect Next

CONTACT US Pink Divas & Gents NFP Organization P.O Box 7193, Westchester, IL 60154 We're here to help. Please fill out the form on the right and our team will be in touch with you as soon as possible. In Regards To: Select One Submit Thanks for submitting!

< Back Ann Caple's Story Hello, my name is Ann Caple, I’m age 64. I was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2009. I scheduled a routine mammogram and waited for a letter in the mail to tell me that my results were negative for breast cancer, as had been since I started having mammograms at the age of 40. Instead, I received a phone call. They said they’d seen something in my breast like rings of sugar. March 2009 – My doctor scheduled me for an ultrasound and MRI, then a biopsy of my left breast. April 2009 – I received the phone call telling me I that I had early-stage breast cancer. “I screamed on the phone. I was nervous. I was scared and I was home alone. I said, “God if it’s meant for me to be here, you will let me be here. If it’s meant for me to go, then I’ll go. But I know that you’ve got me! At my first appointment, I told my doctor that I didn’t want radiation or chemotherapy. I also had reconstructive surgery. After surgery, I decided to take a form of chemotherapy. Now, after an intensive 27-week healing process, and chemo pills for 10 years, I go to the doctor every 3 months and gets a yearly MRI to ensure I remain breast cancer free. My grandmother and my mother never discussed cancer. I attend the support group at West Suburban Medical Center and is on the breast cancer support group and champion survivors’ committee with Pink Divas & Gents Org. I speak at churches and share my experience with people in my daily life. We must share our stories and discuss the importance of screening with other women. Every life matters! Previous Connect Next

< Back Theresa Oliva This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Previous Connect Next

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