For the Breast of Us

BADDIE BLOGS

Our mission is to empower women of color affected by breast cancer to make the rest of their lives the best of their lives through education, advocacy and community.

Turning Patient Advocacy into Breast Cancer Policy

This journey is challenging; it’s a landscape of peaks and valleys.

The first time I found myself in the valley, I was midway through my immunotherapy treatment. I started asking tough questions about my maintenance plan. My oncologist became defensive. “We can just stop the chemo,” she said and walked out. I realized there was no clear plan for my ongoing care. Leaving the oncologist’s office, I cried for the first time since my diagnosis. That was the day I found my voice.

After changing oncologists, I reflected on the healthcare system in Texas, reading insurance notices about being denied Medicaid, and sharing my story. This experience sparked a passion for advocacy. I began researching breast cancer policy locally and federally and became more involved. I noticed much of the policy didn’t address other critical issues such as lymphedema, additional testing, mastectomy products, and insurance claims.

Driven by this realization, I started drafting bills. In 2023, my first bill, the Breast Cancer Expansion Wellness Act (HB4361), was introduced in the 88th Texas Legislative Session. Although it never made it out of committee, I’m determined to revive that bill, along with 4 other bills I’ve written, for the 89th Texas Legislative session in 2026.

In 2023, I founded the Hope Project Initiative organization that provides chemo bags, breast health information, and crafts policy.

How to get involved?

Your involvement can make a real difference. Here are some ways you can contribute:

Political Engagement:

Locate your representatives in State Legislatures and Congress. Contact them and ask about bills they are sponsoring for breast cancer. (Find out who represents you at [appropriate website])

Advocacy:

Sign up for emails from various cancer organizations for updates on policy they are advocating for, as well as Congressional Lobby days. Check out American Cancer Society Action Network and Susan Komen Advocacy

Explore President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot Program for national initiatives

Personal Action:

Lend your insight – your comments are important. Remember, elected officials work for us.

Most importantly, share your story. Your voice and experience are valuable.

Two key things to remember:

First, YES, YOU can make a difference

Second, YOU can do this

Never forget, your voice is the most powerful weapon on Earth in the battle against breast cancer; it is your armor in advocating for change.

advocacy, breast cancer, immunotherapy, In Purpose, Lashelle Scott, lymphedema, On Purpose, purpose, Texas

Lashelle Scott

Lashelle was diagnosed with Stage III HER2-positive invasive ductal carcinoma with the BRCA gene mutation in 2021. She has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy, 16 rounds of immunotherapy, a partial mastectomy and chemotherapy medication. Lashelle also holds positions as a Tigerlily ANGEL advocate and an American Cancer Society community voice advocate a policy advocate and site in the Texas Southern University Breast Cancer Board. Additionally, she has written 5 bills, one sponsored by Texas State Rep Jon Rosenthal, the breast cancer wellness expansion act(Texas House-HB 4361) in the 88th legislative session. Furthermore, she is in the process of establishing a limited liability corporation called the ‘Hope Project Initiative with the goal of delivering speeches at events, distributing breast cancer resources including chemo bags. She resides in Houston, Texas, alongside her 3 old Husky named Bartholomew and also holds a Masters in project management and bachelors in criminal justice, a graduate of Yale University