McCOOK, Illinois—The Crystal Sky Banquets in McCook, Illinois, was once again filled with the spirit of renewal and joy, from many attendees who gathered to honor women and men who have gone through their journey of cancer or who are still in their cancer journey.
They were gathered for the 8th Annual Survivors Celebration of Reflection Gala hosted by Warriors Talk, Inc. This year’s gala theme was, “A Season of New Beginnings.”
October 19 was sunny and warm, reflecting the energy of the Warriors Talk founder, Reshelle Matheny also known as, “Lady Reshelle.” A Chicago resident and mother of five, Ms. Matheny was diagnosed with Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer in November 2013. She has a sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010. Her sister, unfortunately, passed from the disease.
The passing of her sister, along with her own diagnosis, inspired Ms. Matheny to create a non-profit in 2014 dedicated to providing education and resources for women and men who are battling cancer.
“This year’s event was strictly me just asking God for what I wanted, and everything that I asked Him for, He exceeded my expectations of what I asked Him for. I am so grateful that we were able to bless a warrior in battle with $1,000, and we were able to celebrate 20 survivors,” she said.
“Each year gets bigger and better; more survivors are surviving and we come together not just to spread awareness but to move beyond awareness into action. Awareness does not save lives, action does.
This event was all about encouraging others to take action, celebrate survivors, keep going, give them hope, and to let them know that they are not alone.”
Attendees enjoyed a nice lunch and an interactive cancer quiz, which was educational and fun. The quiz and event were co-hosted by Kacia Muhammad, Ms. Matheny’s best friend. The duo has been friends since they were 14 years old.
“When she confided in me about her cancer diagnosis, I felt that deeply. Reshelle means a lot to me, and she was the first close person I knew with cancer.
I am proud of her for writing a book and honoring those struggling with cancer even through her own journey,” said Ms. Muhammad. “I wanted to assist her in whatever way I could, so I attended the second gala she held, and it has been my pleasure working with Reshelle.”
The evening’s keynote speaker and survivor honoree was Viveca Gipson Williams. Ms. Williams serves as a licensed evangelist missionary with the First Jurisdiction of Illinois Church.
Ms. Williams stated, “I found my own lump because I was not a stranger to lumps because I am fibrocystic. I have always had mammogram exams, and usually the lumps would only be cysts. However, this particular lump felt different.
I did not smoke, I did not drink alcohol, I kept a healthy diet, and I did not have weight issues. I demanded a diagnostic ultrasound because I knew right away that something was wrong. We must become advocates for ourselves when dealing with our health,” she explained.
“God is not going to put more on me than I can take. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma. When I met with the oncologist, I went in with the intentionality that I am going to be positive and I do not care what they say, because I know who I know, and I had an upbeat and positive attitude, and I am very much an advocate for myself.
The doctor was extremely negative, at the advice of my baby sister, I did not go back to that doctor. I was referred to an oncologist who was kind and positive, and so far since May, I have been through 12 rounds of chemotherapy with her.”
Paula Kelly Hill was named Survivor of the Year. She is a nine-year survivor who underwent a double mastectomy with reconstruction. She is the first lady of Word of Truth Pentecostal COGIC Church in Chicago. She also serves as a missionary, usher, and Vice President of the Trustee Board of her church.
“I am a nine-year breast cancer survivor; I had cancer in both breasts. I was stage 3 in one breast, and stage 1 in the other breast. I had a double mastectomy with a reconstruction, and I had a village,” she told The Final Call. “My village is what saved my life because my village stayed around me.
It was a battle but through this lesson, I learned how to strive and how to help others that are going through the same thing that I went through. I depend and lean on God with everything I do. When I hear of someone that is going through cancer, I go and talk to them, and I go to the doctor with them.”
To learn more about Warriors Talk, visit: warriorstalk.org. Warriors Talk podcast can be accessed every Monday from 6 p.m.-7 p.m. CDT, at intellectualradio.com. The podcast covers topics such as “How cancer and other diseases are running rampant throughout our country.”
—Shawntell Muhammad, Contributing Writer
