I know now that having regular checkups and mammograms are key to a healthy lifestyle.

Cancer has changed how I see adversity, because there is so much inequality in the treatment of the disease and it shouldn't have to be that you live or die depending on where you live. I'm still learning not to sweat the small things and to live each day to the fullest.

I am a community activist, philanthropist, breast cancer survivor, advocate and founder and board chair of the Thelma D. Jones Breast Cancer Fund. I am also a parent, grandparent, and a doting pet owner.

Under normal circumstances, women go through a lot and breast cancer compounds the situation of our daily lives. Supporting other women is paying forward and cementing part of my legacy in giving my time in helping others to either live a better life or reach their full potential.