MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action - 36

A SPOTLIGHT ON HEAL Advocating for Health Equity
I am a TNBC Survivor, and it is important for me to be a part of Hill Day to share my story and
the importance of educating others. I did not know what TNBC was until I was diagnosed at 37
years of age. I also didn't know I didn't have a gene mutation until diagnosis. I want to share
the importance of patient education for preventive screening and pay attention to the details in
patient questionnaires.
PARIS SMITH, TLF ANGEL ADVOCATE
Since I joined Tigerlily as an ANGEL, it has been such an awesome advocating experience for me.
I would say going to the Georgia state capital to get the resolution signed was big for me. Being
in that atmosphere was a drive for me to share my story with Representative Cooper. Sharing my
TNBC story and hoping to make change with our legislators was so great, as well as hearing about
what they are actively doing to change the narrative for future patients who will be diagnosed
with TNBC.
GEORGIA
I learned a lot of new information since becoming an ANGEL Advocate. I have found my voice
since becoming an advocate. I feel more confident to get involved, and to help more women
become aware of early detection and things that can prevent breast cancer.
I would reiterate that going to the Georgia state capital to have them sign the TNBC resolution
was an awesome highlight. To be able to talk to the representative on a personal level about my
experience with cancer was so different than any blog or story I've ever done. I'm so glad to have
been able to do that.
Changing the narrative on what we can do to prevent future diagnoses and outcomes is
important. We must advocate for policy change because women need to get early detection and
mammograms. That needs to become the norm.
" We must advocate
for policy change
because women need
to get early detection
and mammograms.
That needs to
become the norm. "
- Paris Smith
I think about myself and everything I went through that has led me to my purpose, which is
advocating. I think about the fact that there is no cure for TNBC and that it is still affecting African
American women more now than ever before. We need a cure, and we need more research to get
that done. I want to stop the progression of it affecting as many women as it has. I hear all the
stories of women who have not had good experiences with physicians or even just getting access
to get a mammogram, and it's so frustrating to hear that. It's a driving force to learn the statistics
surrouding my race who get triple-negative breast cancer, because their socioeconomic background
can impact their access to care, which is sad to hear. What can I do about it? Advocate for
change. My story may help other women gain a voice to advocate for themselves or someone else.
I also think about my nieces and when they are of age to get mammograms. I hope and pray that
what we are doing with advocacy will make such an impact that they won't have to worry about
being affected by breast cancer because there will be so much research on it that there will be a
cure. That's why I'm motivated and driven by wanting to participate in Hill Day. I hope for change
CHRISTY RIVERS, TLF ANGEL ADVOCATE
Joining the ANGEL Advocacy team has been nothing short of amazing. I was able to gain a
sisterhood with ladies in my community that look like me, understand the breast cancer journey,
and who are passionate about educating and empowering women, and making a difference in the
community.
Being a part of the ANGEL Advocacy community has really impacted my life in a tremendous
TEXAS
way. I was able to join a team that educated me and made me more knowledgeable of my diagnosis.
This ANGEL community gave me more confidence to speak up and be bold and courageous to
educate others, help others, and share my testimony. It's very empowering to know everyone has
unique stories. Thanks to our ANGEL Advocacy community, I was able to gain sisters that support,
uplift, and inspire each other. I feel good about using my story to build a legacy.
I attended Tigerlily ANGEL's First Health Fair Event in Dallas, Texas, on July 22, 2023, where I was
able to connect with ANGELs for the first time. We educated and empowered each other, shared
stories, laughed, and helped so many people that attended this event. It was simply an amazing time.
Policy advocacy is important because it raises awareness of important things that may be
overlooked, it demands necessary changes so policymakers can take action, and it allows people
to share feedback on how they feel about certain policies.
I really wanted to be a part of the Hill Day event on Policy, supporting the Triple-Negative Breast
Cancer (TNBC) Research and Education Act. It means a lot to be among other women who were
diagnosed with TNBC in advocacy and as a community. l
36
MY LIFE MATTERS
ADVOCACY IN ACTION | FALL 2023

MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action

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