Breast Cancer and the will to SURVIVE!

Breast Cancer is the second leading cause of death among women (lung cancer is first), breast cancer is also the most common cancer. It is less common but more aggressive in women under age 50. Approximately 77% of cases occur in women past that age, particularly in white, Hawaiian and African-American women. African-American women are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease and have the highest death rate. Today's guest, Maimah Karmo is the Founder of Tigerlily Foundation and a three year survivor of breast cancer, who most recently received the Congressional Black Caucus Leadership in Advocacy Award for her work with young women and breast cancer. On February 28, 2006, at 4:45 p.m., she was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer. She had no family history of breast cancer; and was only 32-years old. While undergoing chemotherapy, she created Tigerlily Foundation to educate, empower, and advocate for and support young women affected by breast cancer. Tigerlily Foundation provides women with services to help, while they are in treatment. Since starting Tigerlily, Maimah has dedicated her life to helping young women around the world. She is a speaker and has appeared in various media outlets, to include Essence, Ladies Home Journal, Women and Cancer, Cure Magazine and more. She has also been featured on Fox 5, ABC 7, News Channel 8, WUSA 9, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America and numerous national radio stations. In 2009, Maimah was awarded L’Oreal Paris’ Woman of Worth award. Most dear to her heart is being the mother of a beautiful 7-year old girl, whom she adores. Maimah is dedicated to changing the breast cancer landscape and creating a legacy of a world free of breast cancer. Join our host Sky La Rose, Dr. Elisa and Minal Bopiah in a heartfelt segment today at 6:30.