Breast cancer foundation celebrates 25 years

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Each of you is invited to come and celebrate 25 years of service with Edna B. and Joyce Fay Washington Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.

Fourteen of those years have been in the Miss-Lou. The Foundation is extremely excited about its accomplishments and is extending a personal invitation to you to attend The Tenth Annual Hats and Gloves With Tea on the Mississippi.

The tea will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, at the Natchez Grand Hotel, 202 Broadway Street. Ten years ago, the tea began in my backyard.

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Wow! What a difference 10 years can bring! Dr. Rodney Givens shared the importance of good breast health care and guests were given the opportunity to have a question and answer period. Following that exchange, guests were given the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, which was at the home of another breast cancer survivor, Creseda Crawford, 25 yards away.

This year’s featured guests at the 2019 tea will be “Harmonic Voices” directed by Terrence Robinson, famed tenor, choir director and actor. Robinson is well known in this community for his outstanding talents.  There will also be a silent auction consisting of an array of phenomenal gifts that have been donated by businesses in the Miss-Lou.

The Foundation, over many years has provided health fairs, seminars, guest appearances and free mammograms to medically underserved and medically uninsured women in the Miss-Lou. Most recently, the Foundation has signed a new contract with Merit Health Natchez, as we further enhance this program, Journey To Save A Life.”

Additionally, in the Greater New Orleans area, the Foundation has entered into a partnership with The Mastectomy Boutique. The Foundation has made a commitment of $5,000 to provide breast prosthesis to medically underserved or medically underinsured women in the service area.  Edna B. and Joyce Fay Washington Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. remains committed to serve.

Washington Breast Cancer had its first event, “A Look at the Woman in the Mirror: An Opportunity to Nurture the Spiritual and Physical You” on Oct. 25, 1994, at United Medical Center, New Orleans. The program included a health fair and an introduction to the community of the Foundation. Two years later, in 1996 the foundation became a Donor Advised Fund of the Greater New Orleans Foundation.  Since that time, the Foundation has become a 501(c) 3 entity.

On May 25, 2019, the Foundation held its Annual Meeting, at the New Orleans East Hospital, New Orleans. More than 75 women, including survivors, attended the celebration. The Foundation received commendations from the mayor or New Orleans, the Governor Edwards’ office, as well as, Congressman Cedric Richman’s office.  Board members were introduced and guests received a snippet of services that have been provided by the Foundation.

Joyce Washington Ivery, founder/CEO Edna B. and Joyce Fay Washington Breast Cancer Foundation Inc.