Free cancer support programs get a boost, and Red
Door Community member announces a run
NEW
YORK, May 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On
Wednesday, May 15, Red Door Community hosted their annual
Celebrating Women Working and Living with Cancer Luncheon at the
Metropolitan Club in New York
City. The event raised more than $300,000 while
shining a light on the women who inspire us through their daily
courage and leadership.
More than 175 guests attended the event, including Red Door
Community donors, corporate allies, and members who participate in
the free cancer support programs. The gathering brought together
people from all walks of life to socialize and learn about the
organization's initiatives that are designed to supplement clinical
cancer treatments with essential psychosocial support.
Hosted by Gerri Willis, author
and correspondent with Fox Business News, who shared her own
experience with cancer, the event featured several key
speakers. The first was a formal introduction of new CEO
Dan Latore, who spoke to the
uniqueness of Red Door Community's work, as it "provides unwavering
support at every stage of the cancer experience, so no one faces
cancer alone" and he shared his vision for the future of
the organization that will "be built on the core ideals of
community, trust, and respect."
The Red Door Award for
Leadership was presented to Jami
Rubin, former Board Director, long-time executive in the
biopharmaceutical industry, and current Chief Financial Officer at
Boundless Bio. Her remarks included the topic of risk-taking, like
the business risks that are required to drive innovation in
oncology, and the emotional risks Red Door Community members take
as a part of their program: "They commit to total honesty with each
other. They share their experiences with each other even when it's
very painful. They don't know how they will respond to their
treatment. They don't know how much time they have left. They hold
nothing back."
The star of the show was Red Door
Community member, LaDawn Jefferson. A single mother
residing in Brooklyn and living
with advanced cancer. She talked about her experience with cancer,
from the impersonal way she learned of her diagnosis to the
repeated treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. She said her
cancer diagnosis did not excuse her from her roles as "chef,
counselor, referee, mediator, and mother, who must continue to
nurture and love her children no matter what type of day she was
having." LaDawn had no one to share her feelings with until
she found Red Door Community.
LaDawn went on about Red Door Community and said, "I was
welcomed with open arms, and I felt right at home. I had the
freedom to open up and get out all that was buried in me. I was
finally able to speak to people who understood the mental battles
in my head, the self-image issues, and the fear of dying. I know
that in my group I can talk about anything and not be judged for my
thoughts or feelings."
Before she was introduced to Red Door Community,
LaDawn's only outlet for her feelings was her journal, where her
first entry talked about her fears and how she was being perceived
by people on the outside. She continued referencing her entry,
"however, inside, I just want to run like hell. The only catch is,
the cancer will run with me because it is inside of me. I NEED
HELP, PLEASE HELP ME. Well, Red Door
did just that…from day one."
Run she will. In a stunning announcement, LaDawn
announced that she will be running in this year's TCS NYC
Marathon as a part of the Red Door Runners, a team that is running
to raise money on behalf of Red Door Community. Her inspiring words
were met with thunderous applause, and she invited the audience to
come out and cheer the team on. She ended her speech with a simple
"thank you for your support."
To support LaDawn and thousands of other Red Door Community
members, visit: RedDoorCommunity.org/donate
About Red Door Community
Red Door Community is a leading cancer support organization
whose mission is to create a welcoming community of FREE cancer
support to bring knowledge, hope, and empowerment to anyone and
everyone impacted by cancer and their
families including adults, teens, and children.
Visit RedDoorCommunity.org to learn how you
can support or become a member of Red Door Community
today.
Contact:
Alexandra Bestick
Marketing & Communications Manager
abestick@reddoorcommunity.org
(303)-501-4508
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SOURCE Red Door Community