March 8 marked a deeply personal milestone for me; one year cancer-free. A milestone that was not just about survival, but about purpose, resilience, and the undeniable reality of what it means to be part of a community. It was not lost on me that this day fell on International Women’s Day, a day meant to celebrate strength, progress, and unity. Yet, as I reflected, I could not shake the weight of a familiar truth. Outside of a few who truly knew how significant this day was for me, no one really acknowledged it. And honestly, I expected that. That expectation is what is/was heartbreaking.
Why? Because often, people move as individuals when they should be moving as a collective. There is constant talk about uplifting one another, but does that really happen?
What Does Community Really Mean?
Community is supposed to be about support, protection, and power. A true community stands together in times of triumph and adversity. It is about lifting each other, celebrating milestones, and ensuring that when one person faces a challenge, the weight is not carried alone.
But do we truly fit that definition?
Do we show up for each other when it is needed?
Do we have leaders who hold true power, power that makes those in control think twice before making decisions that impact us?
Are we creating spaces where we teach one another, share resources, and ensure that the next generation does not have to start from scratch?
The harsh reality is that many move as if success is a competition rather than a collective win. Instead of helping each other rise, there is tearing down, gatekeeping, and rivalry. The struggle becomes personal rather than communal, and the result is a cycle of stagnation where voices remain unheard and power remains untapped.
Why Do We Continue to Struggle for Equality?
There is a constant fight to be seen, to be heard, and to be valued as equals. The truth is that true progress is only possible when there is unity.
When people stand together, real change happens. But when there is division, when knowledge and resources are hoarded as if there is not enough to go around, progress is delayed. Those who do not recognize their collective strength continue to struggle to be taken seriously.
The Power of Solitude and Reflection
Going through this breast cancer journey has opened my eyes in ways I never expected. It has forced me to sit in solitude, to reflect deeply on what truly matters, and to see life for what it is—short, unpredictable, and precious. I have learned to value myself and those around me, to appreciate each day because it can be taken away in an instant.
I have also realized the importance of who deserves to take up my space and who simply wants to take up my space. There is a difference. Being intentional about the company I keep, standing with conviction, and walking in my purpose has become non-negotiable.
Cancer did not just happen to me. It happened for me.
It stripped away illusions, showed me the depth of my strength, and made me acutely aware of the kind of energy I allow into my life. It has reshaped my mission, my purpose, and my understanding of what it truly means to stand in the fullness of who I am.
This is Why I Created The Advocate’s Table
I realized that if I wanted to see change, I could not wait for it. I had to build it.
The Advocate’s Table is not just a name. It is a movement. It is a space where those who are truly ready to stand up, create impact, and fight for early detection, advocacy, and life itself can pull up a seat and do the work.
It is not about competition. It is not about recognition. It is about purpose.
And the truth is, I cannot do this alone.
The phrase “United we stand, divided we fall” is often repeated. But is unity something that can be counted on? Can a community be trusted to stand up for itself? Or is it only when something personally impacts someone that they begin to care?
March 8 was a reminder of why this work is necessary. I celebrated one year cancer-free not just for myself, but for the many who never got the chance. I celebrated knowing that I am still here to fight for them. And I celebrated, despite the silence from those who should have known what that day meant to me.
Because the truth is, I do not need validation to know my mission is critical.
But what I do need is people willing to do the work.
Are You Ready to Pull Up a Seat?
This is bigger than me. It is bigger than one person’s journey. It is about all of us.
So the real question is, are you ready to stand next to me? Are you ready to commit to something greater than yourself? Are you ready to break the cycles that have kept people in the same fight for far too long?
If you are, then pull up a seat at The Advocates Table. Let’s move with purpose, with conviction, without judgment, and from an honest place.
Change does not happen by waiting. It happens when people decide to make it happen.
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