In March 2008, a group of Afri-can American breast cancer survivors recognized the need for a local Sisters Network chapter in Columbus, Ohio.

Meeting here and meeting there, the Sisters decided they needed their own space.

A little over a year later, they began their search. It wasn’t long before they found the ideal office location.

Located on the southeast side of town, in a predominantly African American community, accessibility will be no problem for those the Sisters will be serving.

A few furnishings and the placement of knickknacks, Sisters was ready for business.

December 5, 2009, Sisters had their grand opening. More than 100 supporters from abroad came out to show the Sisters some love.

Guests included Councilman Herchel Craig and his lovely wife, Linda; Councilwoman, Charletta Tavares; a local youth drumline, The Saints, who was banging those drums and rocking those instruments (yeah, yeah); and The North-east Sisters Network Affiliate Chapter from Cleveland and Akron, Ohio.

The grandest entrance was the Chosen Few Corvette Club. Them corvettes rolled in mighty nicely and the members were sporting those pink shirts.

All in all, the event turned out to be successful and the Sisters was loving every moment. Thank you to all our supporters.

Volume 1, Issue 1

April 2010

Sisters Network Columbus Ohio

In April, 2010, Sisters Net-work Inc will make history by holding the 1st National African American Breast Cancer 5K Walk /Run in Houston, Texas. The his-toric event will be an an-nual walk to empower, bring about breast cancer awareness and replace fear with hope as partici-pants from across the country Walk together to

find a cure. The walk will benefit Sisters Network Breast Cancer Assistance Program (B-CAP), which

provides assistance to women facing financial challenges after diagno-sis. In existence since 2006, this program has provided financial assis-tance for mammograms, co-pays, office visits, pre-scriptions, medical lodging and transportation. Funds raised from the Walk will assist women throughout the United States.

Sisters Columbus Ohio Has An Office

1st Nat iona l Af r ican Amer ican Breast Cancer 5K Walk /Run

R.I.S.E.R.I.S.E.R.I.S.E.

Revitalizing Inspirational Sisters Efforts

Revitalizing Inspirational Sisters Efforts

Revitalizing Inspirational Sisters Efforts

President’s Welcome 2

Poem 2

Editorial 2

Fundraising Event 3

President on TV 3

A Nurse Who Knows 3

About Us Back

Inside this issue:

Isaiah 40:31

“...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

NIV

Welcome to the inaugural issue of our newsletter R.I.S.E.. As president and co-founder of Sisters Network Colum-bus, I have a vested interest in seeing this organization accomplish our mis-sion of educating African American women of breast cancer.

This chapter was formed in 2008, and God has sent a strong group of women who believe in the mission and are will-ing to achieve the goal of the organiza-tion. We are dedicated in helping women take control and become advo-cates in their treatment plan. When you hear the words “you have breast can-cer’, those words cut through you like a knife and everything goes numb. We want to educate women so that if they hear those words, they will be con-

monthly self breast exam, getting an-nual mammograms and an annual clini-cal exam, I found my lump and knew what it was. I was bigger than cancer and decided that I was in control. I be-came self taught about the disease. I was extremely active in my treatment plan and was able to make decisions that were best for me. Here in Colum-bus we are here to serve you, by hold-ing seminars, workshops and other learning opportunities in our communi-ties to empower you. By all of us work-ing together, we can make a difference.

So check us out and see what we are doing.

Wanda L. Brown, President

Sisters Columbus Ohio is soaring higher and higher everyday. Many of you have shown us so much love and support. Keep it com-ing because we are definitely going to keep giving it back to the community.

Each issue we will focus on a ‘RE’ theory. Now you say, “What is “RE” and what does it mean? Well according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, “‘RE’ is in reference to or concerning [a person, place, or thing.]” It is a noun. A word beginning with “Re” will be the issue’s focus.

As we journey through the year 2010, we

Welcome to the first edition of R.I.S.E., an exclusive newsletter designed for Sisters Network Columbus Ohio. We hope you will enjoy the messages conveyed, as well as, the overall project itself.

plan to keep you informed through this newsletter. Let us know what you think or would like to see included, and if you are a breast cancer survivor, send us a poem, a story or an inspirational piece. Who knows, you may see your name in print and so will others around the country.

With Sisterly Love,

Delphine Mays, Editor-In-Chief

P a g e 2

sumed with knowledge and not fear. The first step is to understand the dis-ease and then to know your options. Once you know these two things, it will make the difference and you can be more involved in your treatment plan. This is a journey that too many has and will travel. Sisters Network Columbus is here to help you or someone you know travel this road with confidence. Be proactive and not reactive, because a diagnosis of breast cancer is no longer a death sentence. You can take control by doing self breast exams, getting a mammogram and an annual clinical exam. Early detection really does save lives.

I am a 5 year breast cancer survivor because I am proactive in doing my

It's not that rose so precisely cut as it is the fallen sinner who by the Grace of God gets up.

It's not that fine car parked high on a hill as it is a burnin desire for the Master's Will.

It can never be the diplomat or the bomb he releases or this shattered world with all it's broken pieces.

R . I . S . E .

...‘RE’ is in reference to or concerning a person, place, or thing. It is a noun.

Editorial

The Repentant Soul c r e a t e d b y S u e r a t h i a T u r n e r

President’s Welcome

pel concert. The free event was held at the First Church of God on Refugee Road in Columbus, Ohio. Keynote speaker, Dr. William Hicks, Professor, Clinical Hematology and Oncology @ Ohio State University, enlightened many about the aspects of the disease. Eight spiritual choirs from around the city performed. The tunes came from the First Church of God, Columbus State Commu-nity College, Dominion Middle School, Liberty Christian High School, Dublin Jerome High School, OSU African Ameri-can Voices, Norton Middle School, and Fort Hayes Professional Ensemble. Freewill donations were encouraged.

John Lee, a Political Science major at Ohio University, seeks causes and brings people together to support the cause. “...show people of all races how to come together,” passionately spoken by John Lee, founder of The Peo-ple’s Foundation located in Cleve-land, Ohio. John’s mother has been a breast cancer survivor for ten years. On February 26, 2010, a cold, blus-tery, snowy evening, the People’s Foundation presented “Sing for the Cure”, a breast cancer benefit gos-

Proceeds from the event benefited the Sisters Network Columbus OH Affiliate Chapter.

On January 27th, at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, Bertie Ford received the Tarceva Clinical Specialist of the year award from Genentech BioOncol-ogy. This award is given to the person

with the highest Tarceva drug sales in the entire company. Tarceva is a chemo-therapy drug that targets a specific pro-tein within cancer cells and stops the cells from growing. Bertie has been an oncology nurse for her entire profes-sional life and serves as an Advisor on the Sisters Network Columbus Ohio Af-filiate Chapter. Bertie also serves as a national board member for Sisters Net-work Inc.

P a g e 3

Ohio University Student Hosts Event B y D e l p h i n e M a y s

A Nurse Who Sells For a Cause b y D e l p h i n e M a y s

Needless to say our President was ecstatic when she got the call to appear live on the show on February 16, 2010.

But beyond that excitement, Wanda wanted her two minutes of fame to be more memo-rable for the audience than herself. Her goal was to get as much information out to the community concerning breast cancer and Sisters Network.

Overall, she accomplished her goal.

I too was excited as I watched her educate

the Columbus Ohio viewers on the impor-tance of self exams, mammograms, annual clinical breast exams, and being your own pioneer. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to wish me Happy Birthday, but I’ll get over it.

Great job Wanda and thanks NBC4 for giving Sisters Network your support. They even put our link on their website.

http://www2.nbc4i.com/cmh/online/daytime/daytime_links/

The month of February was a busy month for Sisters Network Columbus Ohio, or should I say for President Wanda L. Brown.

NBC4, a local television station airs a locally produced talk show hosted by Emmy award winning, television anchor and reporter, Gail Hogan. This show known as Daytime Columbus, showcases stories, services, and local events pertaining to the Columbus Ohio community.

The half hour show is aired everyday at 11:00AM.

V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1

Photo of John Lee, President of The People’s Foundation and Wanda L. Brown, President of Sisters Network Columbus Ohio.

President Wanda Brown Goes Live b y D e l p h i n e M a y s

“I am so thankful that my passion for oncology has allowed me so many amazing work and volunteer opportunities.”

Bertie Ford Bertie Ford, RN

Mission Statement:

We are committed to increasing Local and National atten-tion to the devastating impact that breast cancer has in the African American community.

Sisters Network Columbus OH is a breast cancer survivorship organization targeting African American women in Columbus, Ohio. In 2008 a group of Afri-can American breast cancer survivors started the local Sisters Network chapter after recognizing the need for an organization that provides support, edu-cation, advocacy, and research. As an affiliate chapter of the national Sisters Network®, Inc., the Columbus OH chapter provides an environment for women to rejuvenate, reconnect, restore and find reassurance by knowing they are not alone in their journey of healing.

Sisters Network®, Inc. National CreedSisters Network®, Inc. National CreedSisters Network®, Inc. National Creed

In Unity there is Strength;In Unity there is Strength;In Unity there is Strength;

In Strength there is Power;In Strength there is Power;In Strength there is Power;

In Power there is ChangeIn Power there is ChangeIn Power there is Change

2101 South Hamilton Road Suite 105 Columbus, Ohio 43232

Advisors

Dr. William Hicks

Bertie Ford, RN

Juanita Clark

Barbara Beckwith

Committees

Communications

Delphine Mays

Suerathia Turner

Events

Leesha Harris

Wanda L. Brown

President and Co-Founder

Delphine S. Mays

Vice President

Katherine Slaughter

Fundraising Coordinator

Outreach

Vera Thomas

Fundraiser

Chastity Cooper

Social Media Manager

Shelly Hunt

Membership

Louella Jeter

Columbus Ohio Affiliate Chapter Leaders

Phone: 614.866.1107 Toll Free: 1.866.544.1771 Fax: 614.866.1274 E-mail: sisters-columbusoh@wowway.com

Sisters Network Columbus OH Affiliate Chapter Sisters Network Columbus OH Affiliate Chapter

We’re also on the web:

www.sistersnetworkcolumbusoh.org

Supporters

Chosen Few Corvette Club

Dr. Dorothy Jones, Podiatrist

OCSEA—District 6

Your Grand Affair, Photogra-pher

Haven of Hope @ Zangmeis-ter

Columbus Chapter of Oncol-ogy Nursing Society

Beauty All Over

Columbus Saints Drumline

Komen Columbus Race for the Cure

The People’s Foundation