“My eyes adore you my sisters the survivors, my eyes adore you my brothers and sisters the warriors, my eyes adore and celebrate you my sisters the saints for the victorious battle you fought as you wear your crown of righteousness.”
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Living for the Weekend salutes and celebrates the survivors, the warriors and the saints as we continue to advance and progress on the battlefield, loving, supporting and uplifting each other until we’ve “found a cure.”
“When you walk through a storm hold your head up high.”
Sarita Oaks Murray and Zerita Holly-Ross were in their 30s when they were diagnosed with breast cancer. Sarita Murray is a seven- year cancer survivor. A single mother of two, she had a full mastectomy one month after her diagnosis. She is well known for her signature parties and events and has raised funds for numerous individuals and organizations. She is the founder of SparTea, a children’s full-service spa, tea and bead party company.
Zerita Holly-Ross was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was 40 years old and has been cancer free for six years. She had surgery and then endured months of chemotherapy and radiation but managed to continue working throughout her treatments. She is now determined to educate and inform women on preventative health measures. She is the owner of the Ross Insurance Agency and the mother of two.
“And don't be afraid of the dark, at the end of the storm is a golden sky and the sweet silver song of a lark.”
Sarita and Zerita hosted Blink Pink to raise money for Komen Maryland Race for the Cure.
Over 300 people joined them for an evening of jazz and pampering at the Inn and Spa at the Colonnade in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I was flattered when Sarita honored me and showcased my upcoming book Memoirs of Survivors, Warriors and Celebrating the Saints. It was “like ecstasy” when I realized the book title was the theme for “Blink Pink.”
“Walk on through the wind, walk on through the rain; though your dreams be tossed and blown.”
Guests were Robin Prothro, executive director of Komen Maryland; artist Larry “Poncho” Brown, Mrs. Maryland International 2009 Adrienne Carver, City Comptroller Joan Pratt, Dr. Miles Harrison, Sen. Catherine Pugh, anchorwoman Lisa Robinson, Sheryl Hamlett, Nicole Nicholson, Gary Gray, Sarah Smalley, Rosemary Atkinson, Michael Guye, Frank Coakley, Mildred Harper, Stephanie Covington Ted and Mabel Murray, Calvin Hayes, Tracey Wright, Councilwoman Sharon Middleton, Dr. Charlene Cooper Boston, Marsha Jews, Roxy Umphrey, Glenwood Jackson, Dwight and Barbara Pettit, Takiea Hinton and Del. Nathaniel Oaks.
“Walk on, walk on with hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone.”
The room was radiant with men and women celebrating the lives of friends, co-workers, sisters, aunts, wives, mothers and grandmothers in the struggle. There were breast cancer survivors, elected officials and guests enjoying massages, great music, camaraderie and delicious food, especially the beef Wellington.
‘Real men wear pink’
The gorgeous men were “pretty in pink” as they supported breast cancer awareness. There were a bevy of pink ties, shirts, socks and ribbons on display and the men glowed when we acknowledged their attire.
‘You’ll never ever walk alone’
Special thanks to Heart & Soul for the beautiful gift boxes each guest received, the musicians and Anthony Mc McCarthy for hosting Sarita, Zerita and myself on his show WEAA 88.9. Also, many thanks go out to Doni Glover of BMORENEWS.COM for hosting us on his show WOLB 1010, AFRO Publisher Jake Oliver and Terry Owens at WMAR ABC2.
“Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it.”- Bill Cosby
The Pink Affair for Breast Cancer Awareness hosted by Kymmie and Miguel at Si Salsa Restaurant, a new hot spot in Pikesville, was another venue honoring survivors. The restaurant was decorated with pink and white balloons and added a festive ambiance to the evening. The 200 guests gave the survivors a standing ovation when Miguel called their names. When my name was called as a special honoree I thought I wouldn’t have to go up front but Michael called my whole name. I couldn’t ignore him.
‘If you're cool, then I'm cool, then we're cool’
The look of amazement on the faces of some of my friends when they realized I was a survivor was priceless. “It’s the God in me.” Yes! On Nov. 18 I will be a five-year ---thank you Jesus--- survivor. I had a radical mastectomy. I did not have to endure chemo or radiation because it was caught early doing a routine mammogram.
The 800-pound elephant in the room cannot be ignored. “Let them talk.” I returned to my seat overcome with emotions, dropping my head in my hand to sob, when a young lady named Michelle Epps walked over to introduce herself when she heard my name. She said a friend told her to turn on the radio to listen to me talk about my upcoming book. She said she’d she immediately started writing her memoirs to add to the book. Michelle is a nine-month double mastectomy survivor. The next thing I knew I was surrounded by survivors and warriors “telling it like it is” and realizing “beauty’s only skin deep.”
“Quit your worrying baby, quit your worrying girl, quit your crying lady, we can conquer the world.”
“I’ll be there”
Valerie & the Friday Night Bunch
A luta continua