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Wanda was diagnosed in April of 2009 with invasive ductal carcinoma, Stage IIA, ER+, PR+ and HER2+ (Triple Positive Breast Cancer) fourteen months after her sister transitioned from advanced gallbladder cancer. Her mother also transitioned from breast cancer in 1984 after a two-year journey. Wanda completed surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation by February 2010. After her experiences as a full-time caregiver for her sister (gallbladder cancer) and her own breast cancer journey, she felt lead to become a patient advocate in some capacity. To this end, she began to seek opportunities to become better educated about these diseases.
Wanda is a native of Mobile, Alabama. She has been a resident of Houston, TX since the early eighties. She received a Masters of Education, Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of South Alabama, Mobile. She graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a degree in Social Welfare.
Since 2011, Wanda has serves the Project Coordinator and Lead Group Facilitator for Reconstruction of a Survivor.
Research Study Participant:
Avon Army of Women; Cancer Support Community, M.A.P. Project; Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, Army of Women; Breast Cancer Registry; MD Anderson, Take Heart Study; Georgetown University, GAP Study, Path to Recovery; University of North Texas Health Science Center; Cancer Support Community
Advocacy Training & Experience:
CanCare Cancer Support, Volunteer (2011 to present);
MD Anderson Survivorship Conference (2012, 2013, 2015); The Breast Health Collaborative of Texas Summit, Attendee (2011-2015); The Breast Health Collaborative of Texas Summit, Steering Sub-Committee (2015-2016); DoD, Breast Cancer Research Program Consumer Reviewer (2015-2017); MariaLuisa Lectureship for Life, Attendee (2015); National Breast Cancer Coalition, Project Lead Institute Graduate (2016); Susan G. Komen-Houston African-American Breast Cancer Disparities Roundtable Participant (2016); Susan G. Komen-Houston, Galveston County Coalition In Action (2016)
Other Volunteer Experience:
CyFair Cancer Center; Anderson Network/My Cancer Connection; Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, Chemo Class Leader; Breast Health Collaborative of Texas Health Summit, Survivor Sub-Committee Chair, Session Leader; Living Beyond Breast Cancer; Cancer Support Registry
Speaker:
Community of Faith Womens Health Symposium; Memorial Hermann Northeast Support Group; Sigma Gamma Lamda Breast Health Awareness Event, University of Houston Downtown; Serenity Healing Center, Night of Excellence Awards Dinner; Ribbons to Believe Cancer Support Group; CyFair Medical Center Community of Hands Support Group; Lone Star Community College, Tomball, Breast Cancer Awareness Event; Amazing Women Event, The Church Without Walls; New Beginnings for Women of Houston, Inc
Wanda is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
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