Ms. Gayela Bynum, Chair of "We Will Survive Cancer"
Gayela Bynum and WWSC's 10th Anniversary
"Celebration of Life" 2019
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
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Copa: How do you feel about the 10th Anniversary of WWSC "Celebration of Life?"
Gayela: Rodney, I’m overwhelmingly grateful that We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC) is celebrating 10 years of serving families living with and affected by cancer. “With God, all things are possible,” explains how WWSC has made it to 10 years. In 2009 I, and nine other founding members were inspired by Michelle Tull Bynum, newly diagnosed with advanced Stage III Breast Cancer, to organize, WWSC, our intent was to support cancer patients and their families. Michelle was diagnosed in September 2005 – by November she had, in partnership with her sister, created Michelle’s Angels to walk in the Komen Austin Race for the Cure – in 2 months her team raised over $25,000. In the 5 ½ years she lived, Michelle raised over $125,000 for the charity, was named spokesperson for Komen and 2009 and came to DC to raise money. Michelle’s “Never give up, never give in, warrior spirit inspired us to create We Will Survive Cancer!” Michelle made us aware that not all cancer patients have the same experiences she lived. Michelle had 100% support from my son, her family and multiple friends living in Austin and around the country. She told us of husbands leaving their wives and families because living with and taking care of his wife who had lost her breast, hair, nails, eyebrows, eyelashes etc., was not what he signed up for. Upon being diagnosed, Michelle jumped into treatment but also took on the mantle of becoming an advocate for young women, making them aware that cancer does threaten the health and lives of young people. So here we are 10 years later, I don’t know that any of us knew the obstacles we would face in organizing a 501(c)3 non-profit. I can assure you,the challenges have been widespread. We have been criticized, bad-mouthed and threatened by a variety of personages, but we keep on keeping on, because we know, we are doing the Lord’s work. No one on the Board is paid. We operate on a small budget and we are still able to support families. We instituted a gift giving program in 2009 to gift families at Christmas that would otherwise not be celebrating the holiday because of the exorbitant costs of cancer treatment. Our first year, 2009, we gifted two families, in 2018 because of a generous $10,000 grant from Macy’s we gifted 126 families totaling 486 persons. When we have the resources, we’ve been able to pay rent, have electricity restored, given gas and food cards as well as providing other necessities. |
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Read all about Maimah in an earlier article in Copa Style Magazine
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Copa: Please Share with our readers how you feel about Maimah and her fight with cancer.
Gayela: I met Maimah in 2009, at that point, Maimahwas three years in remission of breast cancer and three years into founding TigerLily. Maimah since that time has worked tirelessly as an advocate to raise the awareness of Breast cancer in young women. Maimahepitomzes the words coined by Michelle – “Don’t Waste My Cancer!” Maimah has not wasted a minute since being diagnosed. While undergoing her second round of chemotherapy, Maimah made a promise to God that if she survived, she would create an organization to educate, empower, advocate for and support young womem affected by breast cancer – thus Tigerlily Foundation was born. Tigerlily is a national organization with hundreds of volunteers nationwide, providing breast health, wellness and transformational programs to young women. Maimah worked with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to develop the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young (EARLY) Act, was appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women, a committee established by the Affordable Care Act, on which she works to develop initiatives to increase knowledge of breast health and breast cancer, for women under the age of 45 and those at heightened risk for developing the disease. She is a speaker and media personality, regularly called upon to speak on Capitol Hill and other venues, as a health, advocacy and empowerment expert. In 2015, Maimah advocated with Members of Congress to ensure that young women had access to breast screening resulting in the passage of the Protecting Access to Lifesaving Screening (PALS) legislation. Maimah has appeared in USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, Black Enterprise, Oprah Magazine, Essence Magazine, Ladies Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Redbook, Women and Cancer, Cure Magazine, Traditional Home Magazine and more. She has also been featured on Fox 5, ABC 7, CBS, the Oprah Winfrey Show, OWN, Good Morning America, the Today Show and more. She is a sought after speaker by the media and for Congressional policy events; she is a philanthropist, who supports various charitable causes. Most dear to her heart is her 16-year old daughter, Noelle, now an advocate in her own right, hosting a national event, called Pajama Glam Party, where she engages girls to become advocates and to have healthy lifestyles. In 2010, Maimah published her memoir, Fearless: Awakening to my Life's Purpose Through Breast Cancer. In 2018, she also published the “Badass Girl’s Prayer Book. In 2013, she founded Bliss Magazine, a quarterly publication that inspires others to live their soul purpose. Maimah is a life coach, and hosts The Pure Bliss podcast and “I Manifest” Conference to inspire people to awaken, transform and live their best lives. |
Copa: What should guests expect to experience at the important event at the National Women in the Arts this year?
Gayela: Guests will be treated to a fashion show featuring the Couture fashions created by Iryna Mologoko, of MILA Fashion accompanied by the music of Stephen Czarkowski and Neil Brown, there will be the Awards Presentation, speeches by Dr. David Weintritt, Founder of the National Breast Center, and Steven Gaffney, 2018 Celebration of Life Awardee. My grandson, Reid Tull Bynum and my son Brad will present Maimah Karmo with the 2019 Celebration ofLife award. This comes full circle when Maimah and Tigerlily presented Michelle, posthumously, in 2011 with the KW Warrior Award which was accepted by Reid, then 6 years old and Brad. This is a very proud moment to award Maimah as WWSC’s awardee on our 10th Anniversary.
Several musical performances by Anna Kusner and Peter Omelchenko, Kevin Burns Jazz Group and Rae Shine. Interesting trips and great items will be sold at the Silent Auction
Gayela: Guests will be treated to a fashion show featuring the Couture fashions created by Iryna Mologoko, of MILA Fashion accompanied by the music of Stephen Czarkowski and Neil Brown, there will be the Awards Presentation, speeches by Dr. David Weintritt, Founder of the National Breast Center, and Steven Gaffney, 2018 Celebration of Life Awardee. My grandson, Reid Tull Bynum and my son Brad will present Maimah Karmo with the 2019 Celebration ofLife award. This comes full circle when Maimah and Tigerlily presented Michelle, posthumously, in 2011 with the KW Warrior Award which was accepted by Reid, then 6 years old and Brad. This is a very proud moment to award Maimah as WWSC’s awardee on our 10th Anniversary.
Several musical performances by Anna Kusner and Peter Omelchenko, Kevin Burns Jazz Group and Rae Shine. Interesting trips and great items will be sold at the Silent Auction
Copa: What does the future hold for Gayela Bynum and We Will Survive Cancer?
Gayela: That's a very good question Rodney. Upcoming events besides the Celebration of Life, May 17th, for We Will Survive Cancer include:
June 1, 2019, LaVie(rooftop) will auction off the likeness of the Game of Thrones Throne, valued at $6,000 with proceeds going to We Will Survive Cancer.
Non-Profit Night June 15, 2019 at Nationals Stadium honoring We Will Survive Cancer for our 10th Anniversary
Gearing up for “Making Spirits Bright,” and partnering with Macy’s for the 2nd year to giftpatients and their families affected by cancer.
We Will Survive Cancer is forming an affiliate organization in Houston and Austin, Texas – soon to be up and running.
For me, I’m going on a much needed vacation with my family May 31-June 8th to the island of Anguilla!
My philosophy about my future is “you are NEVER too old to experience life, love and happiness! I am totally open to all possibilities and can’t wait to see them unfold. God (and the universe) has been directing the path of my journey for years! I won’t interfere now. Wherever it goes from here, I always want to maintain a positive attitude and laugh all the way!
Gayela: That's a very good question Rodney. Upcoming events besides the Celebration of Life, May 17th, for We Will Survive Cancer include:
June 1, 2019, LaVie(rooftop) will auction off the likeness of the Game of Thrones Throne, valued at $6,000 with proceeds going to We Will Survive Cancer.
Non-Profit Night June 15, 2019 at Nationals Stadium honoring We Will Survive Cancer for our 10th Anniversary
Gearing up for “Making Spirits Bright,” and partnering with Macy’s for the 2nd year to giftpatients and their families affected by cancer.
We Will Survive Cancer is forming an affiliate organization in Houston and Austin, Texas – soon to be up and running.
For me, I’m going on a much needed vacation with my family May 31-June 8th to the island of Anguilla!
My philosophy about my future is “you are NEVER too old to experience life, love and happiness! I am totally open to all possibilities and can’t wait to see them unfold. God (and the universe) has been directing the path of my journey for years! I won’t interfere now. Wherever it goes from here, I always want to maintain a positive attitude and laugh all the way!
~Copa!