Check presentation on February 9, 2021. Pictured left to right, Bob Furniss, Susan Furniss, Amy Albert, Hannah McDaniel of Keesha Warrior Princess and Jordan Walker and Leighanne Soden of West Cancer Foundation.
Nonprofit organizations, West Cancer Foundation and Keesha Warrior Princess, announce a new partnership to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women and ensuring that these women have access to the care and support they need.
According to the CDC, 11% of new cases of breast cancer in the United States are found in women younger than 45, and of those women diagnosed approximately 80% of them find that breast abnormality themselves.
Thanks to a generous $10,000 grant from Keesha Warrior Princess, West Cancer Foundation will invest in cancer research, education, patient support, and community outreach. This will include funding programs such as mammograms and ultrasounds for women without health insurance, transportation for those who need to get to treatment, garments to help with the painful lymphedema which is a side-effect of treatment, and funding cancer research to seek better treatment options.
Bob and Susan Furniss, parents and founders of Keesha Warrior Princess said, “Our nonprofit is named after the original #WarriorPrincess, Keesha Furniss. Diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic breast cancer at the young age of 30, she battled for four years before the disease took her in November 2017. She told us she realized she missed many of the key signs and asked us to share her story with the world – to save other young women – from the pain, suffering and even death associated with this horrible disease.”
In addition to the programs and services West Cancer Foundation provides, the organizations are teaming up to engage, educate and empower women to ensure they are doing monthly self-exams and keeping their annual appointments for clinical exams. They have produced a self-exam reminder card for women to keep in their shower to remind them of the importance of monthly self-breast exams. Cards are being distributed throughout the community and may be requested via the Keesha Warrior Princess website.
About the new partnership, West Cancer Foundation Executive Director, Leighanne Soden said, “West Cancer Foundation is honored to partner with Keesha Warrior Princess Foundation. The passion Susan and Bob exhibit is inspiring, and we are excited to play a role in furthering their mission to promote breast health education to young women.”
Bob and Susan Furniss, Keesha’s parents and Co-founders of Keesha Warrior Princess and Board Members Hannah McDaniel and Amy Albert were in attendance to present a $10,000 grant to West Cancer Foundation.
Sample of self-check reminder shower card available to women from Keesha Warrior Princess and West Cancer Foundation. Cards may be requested free of charge via the Keesha Warrior Princess website.
About West Cancer Foundation
For more than 40 years, the West name has been synonymous with compassionate cancer care and innovative research. West Cancer Foundation is taking the next step in fighting cancer by investing in research and education, supporting cancer patients, and promoting the overall health of our community. Our goal at West Cancer Foundation is to keep cancer patients at the center of everything we do. Whether it is funding the most promising research to find the treatments of tomorrow, advocating for the health of our community or providing supportive care to patients — we are committed to helping those who need us. To learn more about West Cancer Foundation, visit our website.
About Keesha Warrior Princess
Keesha Warrior Princess’ mission is to save lives by increasing early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer in women age 25-45 through education and community. Our nonprofit is named after the original #WarriorPrincess, Keesha Furniss. Diagnosed with stage-4 metastatic breast cancer at the young age of 30, she battled for four years before the disease took her in November 2017. She told us she realized she missed many of the key signs and asked us to share her story with the world – to save other young women – from the pain, suffering and even death associated with this horrible disease. For more information about Keesha Warrior Princess, visit our website.
