Well, just as a reminder, it has been for 14 years that God’s Angelic Warriors, a breast cancer support group, has sponsored a tea in March of each year to bring much needed awareness to the Miss-Lou area. No, it is not done during the month of October, which has been set aside nationally as “Breast Cancer Awareness” month.  But breast cancer is not just diagnosed in October.

March was chosen because the group formed a team for the Relay for Life which is in May.  The two months prior to the Relay will give us some time to remind the community of this dreaded disease. We will use the funds generated at the tea to support the endeavors of GAW Relay for Life team. Also just as cancer does not just attack in October. We finalized our thoughts to have the awareness tea at time other than October.

God’s Angelic Warriors would like to invite the entire Miss-Lou area to spend about an hour and a half with them starting at 3 p.m Saturday. There will be no formal invitations sent as in previous years. Everyone is invited. There is no fee for admission, however, donations will be accepted and should be given to the survivor who invited you. If you cannot attend, just give your survivor a call and your donation will be picked up.

Because of the presence and the growing number of breast cancer individuals in our population in the Miss- Lou area, GAW has for the past 14 years tried to be a supportive beacon in the community with this awareness tea.

It was some 20 odd years ago that two members of GAW formed the group because they were survivors of breast cancer and there was no lay support in Natchez. We are very appreciative of the insight and determination of the founders of GAW. It has not been an easy journey, but through it all — diagnosis, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and keeping family together — the group has stayed in tact. The numbers are smaller this year than they have ever been.

It has been difficult to be supportive and interact with a fellow member and the cancer reoccurs. They are ill again and need the assistance of family and friends to cope with this dreaded disease that has invaded the human population in numbers greater than the human brain has been able to comprehend. It is for this reason that GAW support group has worked tirelessly with American Cancer Society to find a cure. It is difficult for our group to see the number of survivors gradually be reduced because of death, reoccurrences and/or having to move away to be cared for by family elsewhere.

Please allow us to invite each of you to fellowship with us. You will be privileged to hear the melodious voices of Justin Roland, Cheree Irving and Carla Irving. Katrina Malone Collins, a breast cancer survivor will share valuable information. There will be door prizes and tea and cookies for all who attend.

Put the date and time on your calendar and spend the time with GAW at St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church for this good cause.

Our theme this year is, “When praises go up, the blessings come down.” GAW will at all times send up praises, and we know that the Lord has truly blessed each of us individually and collectively. Because of the Lord’s blessings, we feel it is necessary for our group to be that support net in the community for persons who need our assistance.

Lillian Clark Edney is a 16-year breast cancer survivor and co- founder of the tea.