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Making Chemo Bearable
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Welcome to Making Chemo Bearable
It is my prayer that you will benefit from my experiences with cancer as you, or a loved one, enter the unfamiliar territory of a new cancer diagnosis. A diagnosis of cancer can be an overwhelming experience which causes emotional feelings of hopelessness, fear, disbelief, anger, guilt, sadness, depression, and loneliness. The "C" (Cancer) word, has such a negative connotation attached to it. However, it's not only about the disease and its effects, it is about the people who love you most and enter into this period of time with you, they are your Caregivers.
Make Chemo Bearable (MCB) exists to provide awareness, education, support and hope to individuals during their cancer journey, specifically targeting those from under resourced, underrepresented and underserved communities.
We believe a knowledgeable, supportive and caring environment provides HOPE to individuals on the cancer journey. Helping Survivors Find Joy in the Journey!
Ragina Ireland
Upcoming Events
Awakenings Educational Seminar - April 13
Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in partnership with Making Chemo Bearable present Awakenings – a Breast Cancer informational event to provide educational resources and support for the African American Community.
1660 W. Camp Wisdom Road
Dallas, TX 75232
Saturday, April 13, 2024
10:00am – 1:00pm
Breakfast served at 9:30am
Tickets are free.
Suvivor Spotlight: Laverne Macon
Laverne Macon is Cancer Free for 5 years
MCB: What was your journey like emotionally?
LaVerne: I am going to make this journey a testimony for someone else. I am not going to feel sorry for myself.
MCB: Where did you draw your strength for each “next” step?
LaVerne: God… faith… my village - Husband, Mom, children, friends.
MCB: What made you smile in the midst of it all?
LaVerne: I could put on wigs and still be cute for my husband. I did not look like I had cancer.
MCB: Were you able to celebrate the small victories?
LaVerne: Yes, with Pink Parties, theme T-shirts created and worn by my Village.
MCB: What are who surprised you the most?
LaVerne: The positive reaction, love and help from my grandkids.
LaVerne is thriving. She is cancer free and a huge community advocate which is always on display from assisting someone going to college, cancer survivors and a huge supporter of all that Making Chemo Bearable does.
Announcements
Survivor Spotlight Series
We posted our first in a series of articles – called the Survivor Spotlight – that will showcase a spotlight on survivors of Breast Cancer and their stories. Our first Survivor Spotlight is Laverne Macon who has been cancer free for 5 years. View her Spotlight article.
Gifts for Chemo Patients
June 30, 2023 – Dallas Texas – Fox News – Two North Texas women drawn together by personal and family experience with breast cancer have collaborated to spread a little joy to others taking chemotherapy. They want to help people during their treatments that can cause them to be very sick while fighting the disease. On the last day of June for the past five... Continue reading→
Advocacy Summit in Washington D.C.
Ragina was as on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. with Susan G. Komen for the Advocacy Summit where we conducted over 200 meetings with Congressional offices. We are advocating for the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act, Screens for Cancer Act. and the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act. She am advocating because she is a 13 year survivor and wants to decrease the... Continue reading→
Events Gallery
Advocacy
Legislation – H.R. 549
H.R. 549, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act The Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act would waive the five-month waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and the 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits for eligible individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI... Continue reading→
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Articles
Breast Cancer Gene Test May Lead to Worse Care for Black Patients
Jan. 31, 2024 (HealthDay News) — A common genetic test to determine treatment options for breast cancer could be leading some Black patients to forego chemotherapy that might have helped them, a new study says. The test appears to underestimate the benefit of chemotherapy in some Black women because it doesn’t take into account race-based... Continue reading→
What Are the 5 A’s of Chemotherapy?
The 5 A’s of chemotherapy are a commonly used framework to describe the potential side effects or adverse events associated with chemotherapy treatment. They are as follows: Alopecia: Alopecia refers to hair loss, which is a common side effect of many chemotherapy drugs. Hair loss can affect the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes, and other body hair.... Continue reading→
Benefits of Chemotherapy for Treating Breast Cancer
Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that uses drugs to destroy cancer cells or slow down their growth. It is commonly used as a treatment option for breast cancer and offers several benefits in managing the disease. Here are some of the benefits of chemotherapy for treating breast cancer: Targeting cancer cells: Chemotherapy drugs work by... Continue reading→