Gayela Bynum's
80th Birthday Celebration
Copa: Where are you from?
Gayela: I was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and from the age of 5 on lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, until I married at 19 and moved away to college at the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, Oklahoma. I married after my sophomore year of college and graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Arkansas.
Gayela: I was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and from the age of 5 on lived in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, until I married at 19 and moved away to college at the University of Oklahoma, in Norman, Oklahoma. I married after my sophomore year of college and graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Arkansas.
Copa: Where did you attend school, and what were your favorite subjects?:
Gayela: I began my college studies in Music at the University of Oklahoma at Norman, Oklahoma. I married after my sophomore year and completed my college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with a BA in art.
Gayela: I began my college studies in Music at the University of Oklahoma at Norman, Oklahoma. I married after my sophomore year and completed my college at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas, with a BA in art.
Copa: At what time did you establish "We Will Survive Cancer?"
Gayela: "We Will Survive Cancer" was established in August 2009 – WWSC is in its 17th year!
Gayela: "We Will Survive Cancer" was established in August 2009 – WWSC is in its 17th year!
Copa: Who were your founding board members, and what is the mission statement for "We Will Survive Cancer?"
Gayela: We Will Survive Cancer’s founding members include Lisa Spoden, who hosted WWSC’s first fundraiser on Capitol Hill in 2009. Other Founding members include Matt Davis, Greg Davis, Kimberly Warfield, Ginger, and David Vuich.
Gayela: We Will Survive Cancer’s founding members include Lisa Spoden, who hosted WWSC’s first fundraiser on Capitol Hill in 2009. Other Founding members include Matt Davis, Greg Davis, Kimberly Warfield, Ginger, and David Vuich.
Matt Davis
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Greg Davis
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Kimberly Warfield
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Ginger, and David Vuich
Copa: Please mention a few memorable experiences you've had during the many events over 17 years.
Gayela: Seeing the smiles on the faces of children who were not sure they would have presents, seeing smiles on the faces of patients who were not sure how they would be able to give to their children. The stories WWSC has collected from families who were about to be ousted from their homes because they couldn't pay the rent or utility bills are heart wrenching; the mother who was dying, celebrated Christmas in her hospital bed, with her children and mother three days before Christmas because she knew her time on this earth was limited (she passed Christmas Eve) - seeing her children smile as they unwrapped their presents for that last time meant everything to her, and to her children.
During the pandemic of 2019/2020, all retail stores were closed, orders had been placed for spring clothes, but there was no way to sell them; therefore, Macy’s in the DMV area donated children’s clothes to WWSC, which were distributed to children of cancer patients that we serve.
During the pandemic, We Will Survive Cancer co-partnered with Howard University Cancer Center to establish a food pantry so patients with compromised immune systems would not have to shop in stores. We continue to supply the pantry.
In January, we completed a mission trip to Thailand and were connected to the Nankornping Cancer Hospital in Chaing Mai Thailand. We met with the Administrator, toured the facility, and donated money for the hospital to purchase supplies! We are talking with the hospital about how WWSC can continue the relationship.
We Will Survive Cancer has an ongoing relationship and partnership with the International Polo Team (IPT) captained by Tareq Salahi. Tareq is a professional polo star, was a cast member of NBC's Real Housewives and CW Network, and is married to WWSC’s Founding member and Vice Chair Lisa Spoden. For over 13 years, Tareq and his team have supported WWSC. – The past two years, we upped the ante by organizing 2 stellar polo events at the Twilight Polo Club in Middleburg. This year’s event featured the IPT team vs South African polo players, former NFL members Josh Norman formerly with the Redskins, Tim Johnson, formerly with the Ravens Miguel Wilson (Realty TV star) and first ever Crypto Cup, which was the Main Feature Match, Next year’s match will feature IPT vs polo players from Thailand and is currently in the planning process
Gayela: Seeing the smiles on the faces of children who were not sure they would have presents, seeing smiles on the faces of patients who were not sure how they would be able to give to their children. The stories WWSC has collected from families who were about to be ousted from their homes because they couldn't pay the rent or utility bills are heart wrenching; the mother who was dying, celebrated Christmas in her hospital bed, with her children and mother three days before Christmas because she knew her time on this earth was limited (she passed Christmas Eve) - seeing her children smile as they unwrapped their presents for that last time meant everything to her, and to her children.
During the pandemic of 2019/2020, all retail stores were closed, orders had been placed for spring clothes, but there was no way to sell them; therefore, Macy’s in the DMV area donated children’s clothes to WWSC, which were distributed to children of cancer patients that we serve.
During the pandemic, We Will Survive Cancer co-partnered with Howard University Cancer Center to establish a food pantry so patients with compromised immune systems would not have to shop in stores. We continue to supply the pantry.
In January, we completed a mission trip to Thailand and were connected to the Nankornping Cancer Hospital in Chaing Mai Thailand. We met with the Administrator, toured the facility, and donated money for the hospital to purchase supplies! We are talking with the hospital about how WWSC can continue the relationship.
We Will Survive Cancer has an ongoing relationship and partnership with the International Polo Team (IPT) captained by Tareq Salahi. Tareq is a professional polo star, was a cast member of NBC's Real Housewives and CW Network, and is married to WWSC’s Founding member and Vice Chair Lisa Spoden. For over 13 years, Tareq and his team have supported WWSC. – The past two years, we upped the ante by organizing 2 stellar polo events at the Twilight Polo Club in Middleburg. This year’s event featured the IPT team vs South African polo players, former NFL members Josh Norman formerly with the Redskins, Tim Johnson, formerly with the Ravens Miguel Wilson (Realty TV star) and first ever Crypto Cup, which was the Main Feature Match, Next year’s match will feature IPT vs polo players from Thailand and is currently in the planning process
Copa: What does the future hold for Gayela Bynum and the board of "We Will Survive Cancer?"
Gayela: The time we are living in is very challenging. Money is tight – at this juncture, the government shutdown is affecting the pay and finances of hundreds of thousands of people – me included! Money has dried up; bills need to be paid! The ongoing question “how long will this charade last?” Fortunately for me, this is my last hurrah, and I am seeking the next big challenge. My continued prayer all my life is “God give me the strength to carryon my mission (which is really God’s mission). I often wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat screaming in my head (fortunately it is only in my head) “how can I carry on,” at that time I do not feel worthy, I continually question why I am here. Then I remember the good work the WWSC has done for thousands of cancer patients and their families over the past 17 years; slowly, there is a turnaround – someone donates or gives me an idea that makes good sense to move forward! That, in a nutshell, is my hope for the future – that we can maintain and grow the organization and withstand the ups and downs – highs and lows. I may add that WWSC has some significant board members – we are an all-volunteer organization. |
Copa: What are the top 4 interesting things you have learned in your amazing experience with WWSC?
Gayela:
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