| On Memorial Day weekend in 2008, Jill, Jackie and Iffie had their first frank discussion about breast cancer. Jill had discovered a lump in her breast, and had just had a biopsy the day before. With countless choices and decisions to be made, Iffie and Jackie would join forces with Jill to help plot a course for the journey ahead. It quickly became evident that "support is key"; support in trying to understanding the impact of surgical choices, or how nutrition, exercise and complementary therapies fit into the treatment options. And so, the trio formed Sister Soldiers Unite!, a support group aimed at just this.
J ill's ultimate success in her battle against breast cancer was made possible not only by the success of her surgery and chemotherapeutic regiment, and the support that her friends, family and Sister Soldiers Unite! provided, but also through the life saving mammogram that resulted in early detection. So when Iffie, Jill and Jackie met Gabriela, whose sister was also battling the disease, it was clear what their mission would be: to provide free and low cost mammograms for local women in need. And, so, the Sister Soldiers Foundation was formed. |
