Spotlight on Cynthia Church: Delaware woman honored by President Obama

On Aug. 4, President Obama presented Cynthia Church with the Citizens Medal for her “exemplary” efforts to create breast cancer awareness. The two-time breast cancer survivor founded Sisters on a Mission, a support group designed to educate African American women about breast cancer. Church took the time to reflect on her experience at the White House and explain more about her support group.

Q) For those that don’t know, explain how you started Sisters on a Mission?

A)Sisters On A Mission was started because of the high mortality rate for African American women, lack of access to health care and late diagnosis. What better way to reach out and touch women in our communities than giving them someone to relate to that looked like them. Although the group was designed for African American women, all women have attended and participated. If you check the statistics for 20 years ago, you will see the high [rate of] mortality of black women compared to others. If you look at printed materials 20 years ago and now, 20 years later, you will see the diversity in the pictures and the information and statistics provided for women.

With the assistance of my doctors, I developed a plan of how we would approach the community to raise the level of education and awareness about breast cancer. With the combined effort of co-founders Chevala Oliver Berry and Geri McIntosh, we developed…ideas and created avenues to reach out and educate women, providing support and encouragement as they face the challenge of life after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Q) This month President Barack Obama honored you with a citizen’s medal due to your service to the community. What does this achievement mean to you?

A)A few people nominated me, all of whom have been touched in some way and/or volunteered with Sisters on a Mission and what we have been doing in the community. It inspires me to keep the faith that one day there will be a cure and continue on our mission to educate, enlighten and help empower women to become their best advocate and pay attention to signs, symptoms and to follow the practices and processes of early detection.

Q) Since you’ve been recognized nationally for your achievements, how has this created new opportunities for you?

A)We are looking to expand and engage more survivors and women, throughout the state, on our mission continuing to raise the level of education and awareness about breast cancer. We have been contacted by organizations in other states, stating how they are inspired and offering to help.

Q) Explain some of the ways your support group helps to educate women on breast cancer?

A)We hold monthly meetings giving individuals the opportunity to share their concerns and/or fears of what they are facing [and] going through, sharing experiences and information that may help them or someone else. Encouraging them to write down/ask questions, keep all appointments and not to go alone. We have gone into communities talking to women and men providing printed materials for breast, prostate and colon cancers. [We've] held informational sharing and caring workshops, attending health fairs and participating with other local organizations. They have someone to talk to that has traveled down the road of breast cancer.

Q) Describe some misconceptions that women have towards breast cancer?

A) They are too young, it couldn’t happen to them [and] they don’t have a family history.

Q) As a two time cancer survivor, what words of encouragement you would give to potential and current breast cancer patients?

A)It is not a death sentence when caught early. Although there is no cure yet, early detection is the key. [It] is the best protection.