MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action - 35

A SPOTLIGHT ON HEAL
" I felt it was imperative
that I share my story-the
good, bad, and the ugly-
and help other women.
Since becoming an ANGEL
Advocate, I have learned
more about genetic testing
and infertility issues. I
feel great helping others.
I feel it's my purpose
and my why. "
- Lashelle Scott
Advocating for Health Equity
Triple-negative breast cancer patients are more at risk in women under the age of 50, who are
African American and Hispanic, with an inherited BRCA 1 gene mutation. What drives me as an
advocate for TNBC is that I check most of the boxes for being at risk of obtaining the disease.
I am a woman. I am a Black woman. I am under the age of 50. Even though I do not have the
BRCA 1 gene, I was still deemed " high risk " for breast cancer because of my family history. My
mother passed away from inflammatory breast cancer after a 14-year battle. My maternal aunt
is a current breast cancer survivor. As an advocate, it is important that I am seen. In person.
Proof that this disease does have success stories. However, it is even more important to be a
voice for those that are currently in treatment. It is important to speak about the importance of
young women doing self-exams early on in life. It is important that we have resources to properly
care for ourselves and fight this disease as easily as possible. Chemotherapy, immunotherapy,
radiation, surgeries, biopsies, pet scans, bone scans, CT scans, MRI's, etc., are exhausting and
triggering. WE endure enough mentally and emotionally. It is important for changemakers to
make this process not hurt so much. For women in battle or in survivorship, it is important that
we have understanding and accommodations for those still in the workforce. I was forced to
resign from my full-time position almost a year ago due to the harassment and discrimination
I endured from leadership staff. It has been impossible to find employment that could properly
accommodate a schedule in which I can work effectively and heal. I am here to talk. I am here
to have conversations. I am here to be an example. I am here as my mother's legacy. I am here
standing on the shoulders of women who have fought and will continue to fight on this matter. I
am here because I care.
LASHELLE SCOTT, TLF ANGEL ADVOCATE
My personal advocacy highlight is writing my first of many bills called The Breast Cancer Wellness
Expansion Act (Texas House Bill 4361). Sponsored by State Representative Jon Rosenthal, this bill
assists with lymphoedema, testing, scans, and procedures. I was an advocate before becoming a
Tigerlily ANGEL Advocate in the Democratic political realm. I felt it was imperative that I share my
story-the good, bad, and the ugly-and help other women. Since becoming an ANGEL Advocate, I
have learned more about genetic testing and infertility issues. I feel great helping others. I feel it's my
purpose and my why.
After writing my first bill, I applied for the Compte Community Development Program out of the
TEXAS
Mayor's Office. After the training I was invited to apply for a mini grant. To graduate I created a
project centered around breast cancer resources. I developed a breast cancer fair. I built an event that
would allow survivors, patients, etc., to come in and get resources from health insurance, mammograms,
etc. I've also attended local health fairs promoting Tigerlily Foundation.
Without advocacy and policy nothing will change. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death for
women. For Black women it's higher. Although we have some advances in defeating certain types of
breast cancer, there is more work to be done.
My drive as an advocate and being invited to the upcoming Hill Day is getting up every morning
knowing I'm still in this fight and that I must do something to move the needle. I will continue being
an advocate while I can, for as long as I can.
CATRINA CRUTCHER, TLF ANGEL LEAD
Since I joined the ANGEL Advocacy program, my relationship skills and voice are being heard
more and more within the community. I've been able to be in rooms that I don't think I would
have been invited to if I was not part of the ANGEL community.
I have been fortunate to learn new information, health literacy, and the services available to
someone who has been impacted in any aspect of their life while battling this terrible disease.
The support network has been an added value, and along with sharing the importance of everyone
working together to fight breast cancer and helping within the community.
Currently, I am part of the Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) Alliance initiative in Dallas-Fort
TEXAS
Worth as the Dallas ANGEL Lead, working with our alliance to share the importance of TNBC and
to also learn what medical professionals are seeing and how we can spread more awareness.
Advocacy in policy is important based on the health and racial disparities that are present for
Black and Brown women. It is important to share how advocating for yourself and others can
save lives by way of policy change and medical changes.
MY LIFE MATTERS
ADVOCACY IN ACTION | FALL 2023
35

MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action

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