"We Will Survive Cancer" (WWSC) is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization that raises funds to directly assist families of cancer patients as they struggle to deal with the emotional, financial and physical devastations of cancer.
by Rodney W. Branche
Copa: Where did you grow up Gayela?
Gayela: I was born in Sulphur OK and from the age of 5 on lived in Oklahoma City OK until I married at 19 and moved away.
Copa: Where did you grow up Gayela?
Gayela: I was born in Sulphur OK and from the age of 5 on lived in Oklahoma City OK until I married at 19 and moved away.
Copa: How did you find yourself in the Washington, DC area?
Gayela: I was living in Los Altos Hills California, when“I had a dream,” (so to speak) to move here. I was in the process of making a major personal change in my life – and had no idea what the change would be and then the inspiration came to me about 2:30 am when I receive most of my inspirations. It absolutely was the right move as I reflect on that turbulent time in my life
Gayela: I was living in Los Altos Hills California, when“I had a dream,” (so to speak) to move here. I was in the process of making a major personal change in my life – and had no idea what the change would be and then the inspiration came to me about 2:30 am when I receive most of my inspirations. It absolutely was the right move as I reflect on that turbulent time in my life
Copa: We Will Survive Cancer, when and why did you establish the organization?
Gayela: My beautiful daughter-in-law Michelle Bynum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She had identified a lump in her breast when she was pregnant with my grandson but because she was pregnant the doctor said her body was changing and not to worry– besides, he told her she was “too young” to have breast cancer. She gave birth to Reid in 2004, breast fed him but felt the lump grow, yet still had the same response from her doctor “You’re too young” to have breast cancer. Finally when Reid was 14 months old, Michelle begged for a mammogram and was given the referral necessary – reluctantly, and was admonished by her doctor that she was “too young and the techs would laugh.” No one was laughing when Michelle was diagnosed with advanced Stage III breast cancer.
Michelle then began her valiant fight to live; more than anything, she wanted to see her son grow-up. In my many visits with her to chemo, her stories of young women, in the same fight, were very dissimilar to Michelle’s. She talked of husbands who left their wives, once they were diagnosed with cancer – chemo treatment often causes hair loss, toenail, fingernail, eyebrows and eyelashes and their breasts – it was just not what they “signed up for!” The wives were often left with no car, no insurance and could barely pay their rent. Michelle in her early diagnosis would drive these young women home (sometimes 30 miles or more) after taking her own chemo therapy, because they couldn’t even afford taxi fare to go home. Michelle’s support was just the opposite – my son took over the care of the house, cooking making sure their son Reid was well cared for; Michelle’s parents and all her friends were likewise there for Michelle at every turn. Michelle recognized the need for caring and support by and for the family. In the next five and a half years of her life, Michelle became an advocate; she and her “Michelle’s Angels” team raised over $125,000 for Komen Austin. In 2009 Michelle was named spokesperson for Komen Austin for the amazing work she did to raise awareness of the cancer threat in young women. She was interviewed around the state of Texas and featured in Livestrong Posters and other media outlets
“We Will Survive Cancer” came about from this effort. Michelle made us aware that families often are left out – care and attention go to the patients, as it should be, but the family needs attention and support as well.
Michelle coined two important phrases “Don’t Waste my Cancer,” and “Eat Life With a Big Spoon” - she was all of that and more. Michelle “Passed the Torch,” in January 2011 after a valiant fight against this cruel beast.
Gayela: My beautiful daughter-in-law Michelle Bynum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She had identified a lump in her breast when she was pregnant with my grandson but because she was pregnant the doctor said her body was changing and not to worry– besides, he told her she was “too young” to have breast cancer. She gave birth to Reid in 2004, breast fed him but felt the lump grow, yet still had the same response from her doctor “You’re too young” to have breast cancer. Finally when Reid was 14 months old, Michelle begged for a mammogram and was given the referral necessary – reluctantly, and was admonished by her doctor that she was “too young and the techs would laugh.” No one was laughing when Michelle was diagnosed with advanced Stage III breast cancer.
Michelle then began her valiant fight to live; more than anything, she wanted to see her son grow-up. In my many visits with her to chemo, her stories of young women, in the same fight, were very dissimilar to Michelle’s. She talked of husbands who left their wives, once they were diagnosed with cancer – chemo treatment often causes hair loss, toenail, fingernail, eyebrows and eyelashes and their breasts – it was just not what they “signed up for!” The wives were often left with no car, no insurance and could barely pay their rent. Michelle in her early diagnosis would drive these young women home (sometimes 30 miles or more) after taking her own chemo therapy, because they couldn’t even afford taxi fare to go home. Michelle’s support was just the opposite – my son took over the care of the house, cooking making sure their son Reid was well cared for; Michelle’s parents and all her friends were likewise there for Michelle at every turn. Michelle recognized the need for caring and support by and for the family. In the next five and a half years of her life, Michelle became an advocate; she and her “Michelle’s Angels” team raised over $125,000 for Komen Austin. In 2009 Michelle was named spokesperson for Komen Austin for the amazing work she did to raise awareness of the cancer threat in young women. She was interviewed around the state of Texas and featured in Livestrong Posters and other media outlets
“We Will Survive Cancer” came about from this effort. Michelle made us aware that families often are left out – care and attention go to the patients, as it should be, but the family needs attention and support as well.
Michelle coined two important phrases “Don’t Waste my Cancer,” and “Eat Life With a Big Spoon” - she was all of that and more. Michelle “Passed the Torch,” in January 2011 after a valiant fight against this cruel beast.
Copa: Why should people get involved in this great cause?
Gayela: Everyone is affected by cancer in some way – whether we are personally diagnosed, have a family member, a colleague or friend who is diagnosed and fighting the battle. We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC) supports families by providing gift cards for grocery and necessities, and organizing and presenting workshops and special events for the children and their families – our big effort has been at Christmas. In 2010, we were able to provide Christmas to four families with gift cards ($500 to each family for groceries, gas or whatever they needed), and asked each family for a wish-list of gifts for their children which we did our best to fulfill. In 2011 and 2012, we were fortunate to provide the same amount of money and wish-list for 12 families because of a generous donation from a supporter. Last year we added two more families – totaling 14. These families would otherwise not have been able to afford Christmas; their costs to keep up with chemo treatment and medicine are staggering, leaving them little money and few resources to provide extra luxuries such as gifts.
Gayela: Everyone is affected by cancer in some way – whether we are personally diagnosed, have a family member, a colleague or friend who is diagnosed and fighting the battle. We Will Survive Cancer (WWSC) supports families by providing gift cards for grocery and necessities, and organizing and presenting workshops and special events for the children and their families – our big effort has been at Christmas. In 2010, we were able to provide Christmas to four families with gift cards ($500 to each family for groceries, gas or whatever they needed), and asked each family for a wish-list of gifts for their children which we did our best to fulfill. In 2011 and 2012, we were fortunate to provide the same amount of money and wish-list for 12 families because of a generous donation from a supporter. Last year we added two more families – totaling 14. These families would otherwise not have been able to afford Christmas; their costs to keep up with chemo treatment and medicine are staggering, leaving them little money and few resources to provide extra luxuries such as gifts.
Copa: What are some of the events and fundraising activities the WWSC had so far this year?
Gayela: In 2012, Sharon Marroquin, dancer and choreographer in Austin TX, came to me through Michelle’s Texas network a year after Michelle passed. I was given a trailer of the dance “The Materiality of Impermanence” which Sharon wrote and choreographed depicting her own breast cancer diagnosis and experience. The dance debuted in Austin in 2012. I was immediately captivated by the dance as it brought to mind the early conversations I had with Michelle after she was first diagnosed with cancer; there are no words that adequately express those emotions – and here it was accurately represented in a dance. I was overwhelmed with the emotion of it all.
I was startled the way I was introduced to Sharon but was especially taken with her dance that begins with the despair of diagnosis and goes through acceptance to joy; it was truly one of those Aha! moments for me. The Materiality of Impermanence is more than a dance for cancer patients and their families, it offers a message to anyone suffering from despondency, illness (both physical and mental) and offers hope and acceptance that life is truly impermanent. So WWSC signed-on to bring The Materiality of Impermanence to Washington. We had scheduled the performance at the Gala Theater, July 10 – 12, 2015 – and in the interim, we brought Sharon to DC to present workshops for cancer patients. So that’s a long explanation that many fundraising activities have been built around and for The Materiality of Impermanence. (Link to Sharon Marroquins' story) : http://www.copastyle.com/dance.html
In May WWSC sponsored a Movement and Healing Workshop for mothers living with cancer at Life With Cancer in Fairfax VA. A similar workshop was scheduled at the Smith Center on “U” Street in DC in July. Each workshop invited patients, their family and caretakers – the positive comments about the workshops substantiate the need for healing through alternative methods of art, music, movement and dance.
Additionally, we are raising money for our Christmas gift giving through other fundraisers such as Cocktail get togethers and other events. Our second year of “Celebrating Life” (survival) this year honored WWSC Board member Greg Babcock and his survival of cancer. Friday, we are featuring our second annual “Seersucker and Sundress” fundraiser at Irish Whiskey. It will be wonderful event, organized by Board Member Howard Fletcher. The event features beautiful models wearing the swimwear designs of Emily Gonzaga, Founder/owner of D’Milikah. It is a great way to close out summer with men wearing seersucker suits (which can’t or shouldn’t be worn after Labor Day) and girls in lovely sun dresses!
Gayela: In 2012, Sharon Marroquin, dancer and choreographer in Austin TX, came to me through Michelle’s Texas network a year after Michelle passed. I was given a trailer of the dance “The Materiality of Impermanence” which Sharon wrote and choreographed depicting her own breast cancer diagnosis and experience. The dance debuted in Austin in 2012. I was immediately captivated by the dance as it brought to mind the early conversations I had with Michelle after she was first diagnosed with cancer; there are no words that adequately express those emotions – and here it was accurately represented in a dance. I was overwhelmed with the emotion of it all.
I was startled the way I was introduced to Sharon but was especially taken with her dance that begins with the despair of diagnosis and goes through acceptance to joy; it was truly one of those Aha! moments for me. The Materiality of Impermanence is more than a dance for cancer patients and their families, it offers a message to anyone suffering from despondency, illness (both physical and mental) and offers hope and acceptance that life is truly impermanent. So WWSC signed-on to bring The Materiality of Impermanence to Washington. We had scheduled the performance at the Gala Theater, July 10 – 12, 2015 – and in the interim, we brought Sharon to DC to present workshops for cancer patients. So that’s a long explanation that many fundraising activities have been built around and for The Materiality of Impermanence. (Link to Sharon Marroquins' story) : http://www.copastyle.com/dance.html
In May WWSC sponsored a Movement and Healing Workshop for mothers living with cancer at Life With Cancer in Fairfax VA. A similar workshop was scheduled at the Smith Center on “U” Street in DC in July. Each workshop invited patients, their family and caretakers – the positive comments about the workshops substantiate the need for healing through alternative methods of art, music, movement and dance.
Additionally, we are raising money for our Christmas gift giving through other fundraisers such as Cocktail get togethers and other events. Our second year of “Celebrating Life” (survival) this year honored WWSC Board member Greg Babcock and his survival of cancer. Friday, we are featuring our second annual “Seersucker and Sundress” fundraiser at Irish Whiskey. It will be wonderful event, organized by Board Member Howard Fletcher. The event features beautiful models wearing the swimwear designs of Emily Gonzaga, Founder/owner of D’Milikah. It is a great way to close out summer with men wearing seersucker suits (which can’t or shouldn’t be worn after Labor Day) and girls in lovely sun dresses!
Copa: You really care about what you do with WWSC; what is your philosophy on the approach that should be taken to support cancer survivors?
Gayela: I am very passionate about WWSC – my daughter-in-law made an enormous impression on me in the way she handled her diagnosis and ultimate fight; I was inspired by her courage and determination that her struggle could be the basis for helping others like her, who were less fortunate as they had no family support. As she put it: “Don’t Waste My Cancer!” WWSC has tried to fill the role of the “extended family” for both the patients and their families.
It really is very difficult for me to explain why I became so involved, but it was the voice of God or the universe or whatever one believes that compels one to move forward, that tugged at my heart. The families I’ve encountered are so very grateful for the assistance we can provide. I want to be able to do so much more which becomes doable with the wonderful support we have from sponsors. And so, we won’t waste Michelle’s cancer.
Gayela: I am very passionate about WWSC – my daughter-in-law made an enormous impression on me in the way she handled her diagnosis and ultimate fight; I was inspired by her courage and determination that her struggle could be the basis for helping others like her, who were less fortunate as they had no family support. As she put it: “Don’t Waste My Cancer!” WWSC has tried to fill the role of the “extended family” for both the patients and their families.
It really is very difficult for me to explain why I became so involved, but it was the voice of God or the universe or whatever one believes that compels one to move forward, that tugged at my heart. The families I’ve encountered are so very grateful for the assistance we can provide. I want to be able to do so much more which becomes doable with the wonderful support we have from sponsors. And so, we won’t waste Michelle’s cancer.
Copa: We see that your organization consists of dynamic, dedicated individuals, how did you find them or did they find you?
Gayela: Thank you for noticing the amazing dynamic board of We Will Survive Cancer. Each member is highly intelligent and accomplished. And, if you’ve noticed very good looking! We are at capacity now – but to become a board member, one must submit a resume’ and provide a written statement as to why they wish to join the board and what they expect to bring to the board both monetarily and by volunteering. We are a working board, no one is paid and everyone is expected to contribute.
Gayela: Thank you for noticing the amazing dynamic board of We Will Survive Cancer. Each member is highly intelligent and accomplished. And, if you’ve noticed very good looking! We are at capacity now – but to become a board member, one must submit a resume’ and provide a written statement as to why they wish to join the board and what they expect to bring to the board both monetarily and by volunteering. We are a working board, no one is paid and everyone is expected to contribute.
Copa: Have you found any roadblocks in your continued efforts in fundraising that you would like to mention that must be overcome.
Gayela: Certainly there have been roadblocks and challenges. This year in particular has been challenging from the beginning of the year through the summer. Everything seems to be evening out now that we are approaching fall. Money is tight and there are multiple organizations seeking the same sponsors and donors. WWSC tries to provide interesting, out of the ordinary events that attract people. With a smart board, it is easily achievable.
Gayela: Certainly there have been roadblocks and challenges. This year in particular has been challenging from the beginning of the year through the summer. Everything seems to be evening out now that we are approaching fall. Money is tight and there are multiple organizations seeking the same sponsors and donors. WWSC tries to provide interesting, out of the ordinary events that attract people. With a smart board, it is easily achievable.
Copa: In your opinion, why are families so important in recovery of Cancer patients and dealing with their situation?
Gayela: Family support is important to the recovery of cancer patients. If the family is supportive, and not stressed because of financial obligations and worry, the patient has a greater chance to thrive and recover. As you can imagine, it is like a child who is neglected; if the child is not cared for, his chances of learning and growing are limited – the same is true of anyone who is suffering sickness – love and care increase the chance of recovery for both the patient and the family.
Gayela: Family support is important to the recovery of cancer patients. If the family is supportive, and not stressed because of financial obligations and worry, the patient has a greater chance to thrive and recover. As you can imagine, it is like a child who is neglected; if the child is not cared for, his chances of learning and growing are limited – the same is true of anyone who is suffering sickness – love and care increase the chance of recovery for both the patient and the family.
~Copa
