Survivors Stories
Zeila
Zeila is a native of Brazil that has lived in the United States since 1985. In 1987, at the age of 32, despite the fact that she had no family history, she was diagnosed with breast cancer in her right breast. Following the diagnosis she underwent a mastectomy and 6 months of chemotherapy. Following treatment she remained in remission until 1989 when she was diagnosed once again but this time it was her left breast. She is a living witness that there is life after breast cancer.
Working with UMDNJ as a Community Outreach Coordinator, and as a way of giving back offering support to the survivors ad their families, I started a support group called “VIVAVIDA” in the ironbound section of Newark. Through UMDNJ, I met Loretta Bowe and told her about our support group and she expressed how The Survivors Charitable Foundation also had the same vision that we do at the Outreach Program. We both are passionate about the underserved communities that need help with everyday life. She has been a blessing to the clients that we work with by giving them support with events that we have and helping with resources that they need. Loretta from all of us we say thank you and look forward to our continued friendship.
Desirae
Meeting Loretta Bowe was really a blessing to me. Her foundation is really a great one because she is proud of all of the survivors that she works with. She supports us one hundred percent! I think if she could have us all move in with her she would. Whatever I need from her if it is within her powers she will get it or make it happen; she never says no. All of the survivors that I have met feel the genuine love from her. We know that is is coming from the heart.
When I met her she made me feel different about my illness. She made me feel that I can beat my illness. She made me believe. She has such a spirit and a way of talking to us telling us to trust GOD and that we can get through this and after all is said and done everyone has hope. She always tries to make sure that her survivors are in a good place. Because of her, we all have different outlook in life. I have come to love her as a sister.
Elsie
I am the Chairperson of The Creators, which is a breast cancer support group that serves the Philemon Baptist Church and the surrounding communities once a month. The Creators meet for spiritual, educational and medical help if needed along with Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Michaels Medical Center with staff attending our meetings.
A year and some months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Loretta Bowe, the CEO of The Survivors Charitable Foundation. Loretta brought so much “LOVE” to the group. She came in and brought a full lunch for survivors to enjoy. We had a wonderful meet and greet session; what a relaxing time for all that are going through. Our group consists of older and younger adult survivors and thanks to Loretta we now have men joining the group to accept information openly which didn’t happen before. She shows so much love to us she even brought a complete birthday party to me and I was so surprised. We all enjoyed the celebration. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference in someone’s life just letting them know they are loved and they will through the ordeal. We only wish that there were more people like Loretta to help with the things we think are little but mean a lot to the survivor. We know that funding is needed for research but we must not forget about the survivors that are still there!
We thank GOD for Loretta and The Survivors Charitable Foundation for the work that is done for us. We started out with 20 to 25 people and it has increased to 40 people! What a blessing!
Loretta we love you and we want GOD to continue to strengthen you to be a blessing to other communities.
