My Journey

Carrie was diagnosed with Stage I cancer of the left breast in March 1990, at the age of 37. Her experiences during her journey through breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, and recovery brought a keen awareness of her lack of knowledge and the lack of knowledge among African-American women and other medically underserved populations about life-saving and life-enhancing breast health practices and breast cancer information. Furthermore, her cancer experience raised an awareness of themany barriers to treatment and the disproportionately higher rates from breast and cervical cancer between African-American women and white women. As a result of her experience, Carrie became a strong advocate of breast and cervical cancer control initiatives among the medically underserved.

On August 14, 1994, Carrie and 8 African-American women consisting of breast cancer survivors, clergy and health care professionals met in her home in Montgomery. This informal group became Sisters In Survivorship Through Action and Support (SISTAs). The support group provided culturally sensitive safe haven for medically underserved populations to share and gain information about breast and cervical cancer issues. As awareness of the group’s existence spread by word of mouth, attendance grew rapidly and the group began to provide cancer control talks and outreach services to the African-American and other communities for the next four years. During this period, prostate cancer control services were added as aresult of community interest. Headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama, SCSC is governed by a 15 member board of directors. The board consists of representatives from clergy, healthcare professionals, educators, physicians, cancer survivors, and community activists. The organization office is located at 300 Oak Ridge Drive, Pike road, Al. 36064. SISTAs experienced phenomenal growth during 1994-1996, when the group began to provide breast and cervical cancer education and support services to the community. On June 5, 1997, SISTAs was granted 501©(3) nonprofit organizstion status, and the name SISTAs CanSurvive Coalition, Incorporated (SCSC) was adopted. “SISTAs” now continues as asupport group program component of the organization.