My breast cancer journey began long before my own diagnosis. It began as a little girl, watching my mother, Gardenia, face metastatic breast cancer. I lost her when I was just 13 years old, but her strength, courage, and love have remained with me throughout every chapter of my life.

Years later, at 31, breast cancer became my own fight when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 triple-negative breast cancer. Suddenly, I understood my mother’s journey in a way I never imagined I would. I fought, I survived, and I made a commitment to use my story to advocate for others, especially women who too often do not see themselves represented in the breast cancer space.

Today, that mission has come full circle in a beautiful way. I’ve started a new chapter as a Development Manager with Susan G. Komen, and I have the honor of managing my first More Than Pink Walk. For this milestone, it was important to me to bring back Gardenia’s Angels, the team created in honor of my mother and the legacy that started it all.

Having my family and friends physically beside me on Walk Day means more than I can put into words. And for those who cannot be there, supporting Gardenia’s Angels through a donation is just as meaningful. Your generosity helps Komen provide critical support and access to care for people facing breast cancer while advancing the work needed to save more lives.

This is especially personal to me because Black women in the U.S. are about 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. That disparity is one of the reasons I remain committed to showing up, speaking up, and being present in spaces where our voices and experiences are still underrepresented.

So when I walk, I walk for Gardenia. I walk for 31-year-old me. I walk for every survivor, every person living with metastatic breast cancer, every family who has experienced loss, and every woman who deserves equitable access to quality care.

Thank you for continuing to support me, not only in this Walk, but throughout my journey and the mission I believe I was called to carry forward. Whether you join Gardenia’s Angels, walk beside me, or make a donation, please know that your support means more to me than you know.

This is more than a Walk. This is my mother’s legacy, my survivorship, and my life’s mission coming together.