Two cancer survivors were honored at a breast cancer awareness event in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Oct. 27.
The inaugural Pop N Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness Brunch, honored a breast cancer survivor, and a four-time cancer survivor. And the former honoree was particularly inspired by the amount of support from other guests that it raised her spirits, said the event’s organizer LaToya Washington.
“She had been honored before but she said she felt really touched and that it was the best award she received because she felt all the love in the room,” said Washington.
Just under 100 people turned out for the debut celebration to raise awareness, where guests discussed their own personal experiences with the disease and how they overcame it. But it was also a joyful gathering, added Washington.
“There was a lot of tears, but there was also a lot of laughter,” she said.
As someone with cancer in her family history, Washington said she was a staunch supporter of all efforts and initiatives that raise consciousness regarding the disease. She added that losing two additional people close to her, opened her eyes to the severity of the illness and what it can do.
“My father passed away from pancreatic cancer, one of my favorite aunt’s passed from it, and a woman dear to me as well,” said Washington. “Cancer is very prevalent in my family and having lost people close to me because of it, I just take it very seriously.”
Washington said her brunch will be one of many to come, and she plans to continue raising further awareness about other diseases and illnesses. She said encouraging people in her community to bond with each other will assist efforts of raising more knowledge, and fostering better relationships.
“We want to do more by bringing the community together because losing a parent or a loved one to an illness like this is tough,” she said. “If we keep doing events like this, more people will come together and talk about how they may relate to it and that’s important.”
In May, Washington said her company B Luxe Group will be hosting its first Lupus awareness event.
