My Life Matters - Fall 2021 - 1

MY LIFE
MATTERS
METASTATIC YOUNG (MY)
LIVING IN FOCUS EMPOWERED (LIFE)
I
I
do not have words to describe all the emotions and impact that the
past 12 months have had on the metastatic breast cancer (MBC),
cancer and health care community. Covid-19 has exposed some
frightening gaps that have existed, yet never reverberated as deeply
in today's world. The effects are still being measured and the impact
is one that we will remember the rest of their lives. As a Black woman and a
15-year breast cancer survivor of triple negative breast cancer, seeing a best
friend and many " Breasties " die of metastatic cancer during a pandemic,
I found myself often bent over in tears and had many nights of prayer,
meditation and conversations with God.
Every prayer led me back to what I believe in... I have always believed
that crisis creates opportunity and that the POWER OF ONE,
one person, one community, one movement, one nation, one world
and in one lifetime we can harness this power to BE THE CHANGE.
At Tigerlily Foundation our commitments to Health Equity to end
disparities of Age, Stage and Color has been ignited with a light that
leads the way to a bright future. This year we launched our ANGEL
Advocate Program, Clinical Trials Programs along with our Inclusion
Pledge; with these strategic initiatives, we are dismantling
systematic barriers with the goal to end disparities in our lifetime.
We would like to thank Elephants and Tea for partnering with us
in this summer edition of My LIFE Matters publication and being
a part of that change.
In creating a publication that focuses on the people living with Metastatic
cancer and the individuals, programs and opportunities that
serve the MBC community, I could not be more humbled to walk with
you and share your legacy, your story, your words. It is each of you that
inspire me each and every day. I thank you for the opportunity to serve
you and work together to create change.
Blessings, hope and much love.
MAIMAH KARMO, FOUNDER/CEO OF THE TIGERLILY FOUNDATION
n the summer of 2020, I was introduced to the Tigerlily Foundation and Maimah Karmo. The vibe, the spirit, the attitude, and the emotions were
clear from day one - Maimah and her team will stop at NOTHING to make a difference in bettering the lives of metastatic breast cancer (MBC)
patients and their loved ones. There was no questioning their commitments to Health Equity for all, regardless of age, race, or gender. We are honored
to have the privilege of partnering once again with them on this new 2021 summer edition of MY LIFE Matters publication.
Like Tigerlily Foundation, the Steven G. Cancer Foundation and Elephants and Tea recognizes we need to continue to bring an end to
health inequities. Too often we as a community look the other way when it comes to race, gender, and age.
This needs to end. We all need to be accountable for our actions as individuals and as organizations. We
need to include and not exclude. We need to come together as ONE community for all. We must continue
to evolve and change for the better.
The theme for this edition of MY LIFE Matters is all about the POWER OF ONE - one community, one
person, one movement, one nation, one world - to be the change and inspire each other and create opportunities
for all. We have brought together some amazing individuals within the MBC community to use
their voices for change and to show that no matter who you are and where you are from, you have a voice,
and it must be heard.
I continue to be amazed and moved by every story that is submitted to Elephants and Tea - this MY
LIFE Matters 2021 summer edition is no exception. I am humbled and honored to be a small part of this
publication along with our friends at the Tigerlily Foundation.
The Power of Community is stronger than you know. No one is ever alone. Never forget that.
NICK GIALLOURAKIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ELEPHANTS AND TEA
MY LIFE MATTERS
FALL 2021
1
My Life Matters - Fall 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of My Life Matters - Fall 2021
