“Serving Those That Cannot Serve Themselves”
Mission
Our Mission is to SAVE LIVES by using our Voice as a powerful liaison to advocate and navigate on behalf of breast cancer survivors for equal access and inclusion to medical resources, breast cancer treatment, and financial assistance. Our mission is to increase awareness and provide comprehensive information on available financial resources, benefits, support groups, testing, and screening facilities, ensuring that every survivor has the support they need to thrive.
Vision
Our Vision is to create a world where every woman and man is educated and knowledgeable about breast health and breast cancer awareness. We envision a future where breast health disparities are alleviated through increased knowledge for survivors and the community, ensuring equal access to treatments, benefits, resources, and funding. Our goal is to promote healthy living by empowering individuals to know their risk factors, medical history, and family history.
Tracey Drayton - Founder and CEO
Tracey Drayton, a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as Founder and CEO of Second Chances - Breast Cancer Advocacy, LLC. A proud graduate of Harrisburg High School, Tracey pursued higher education with an A.A.S. in Fashion Design from Harcum Jr. College, a B.S. in Management Studies from University of Maryland University College European Division, and an M.B.A. in Business Administration from University of Phoenix, Lone Tree, CO.
Married to Christopher H. Drayton, Sr., a retired Staff Sergeant First Class from the United States Army and Lockheed Martin, Tracey is a 17-year breast cancer survivor and a devoted mother to four adult children—Chris Jr., Walter, Jessica, and Albernice—and two grandchildren, Jewel and Faith.
With a diverse career background, Tracey has served in various capacities within the United States Government, including the Army and Navy, as well as in higher education, public school systems, non-profits, and faith-based institutions. Her commitment to community service is evident through her volunteer work with organizations like Susan G. Komen, and the American Cancer Society.
As a dynamic leader, Tracey has been recognized for her numerous accomplishments, including being named the 2017 Mrs. Colorado United States and winning several awards in the Mrs. Colorado America Pageant. She has been featured in Who's Who in America, and has showcased her talents as a model, fashion consultant, and former actress on the television show "Life on the Streets" in Baltimore, MD.
Tracey's impressive skill set includes public speaking, education and training, event planning, critical thinking, problem-solving, organizational leadership, budget forecasting, and community engagement. Her visionary leadership and dedication to advocacy make her a powerful ambassador for breast cancer awareness and support.
The Issue: Understanding Breast Cancer Disparities in Women of Color
Breast cancer affects women of all races, but the survival rates tell a different story. While white women are diagnosed with breast cancer more frequently, women of color face higher mortality rates. This stark difference raises a crucial question: Why do women of color die more often from breast cancer?
The answer lies in the disparities within their communities. Access to breast health and breast cancer resources can be limited or harder to obtain in areas where women of color live. Often, there is also a lack of awareness about available resources. It is vital for women of color to understand their risk factors, which are frequently linked to gaps in knowledge about their medical and family histories.
Several other factors contribute to this issue:
Financial Barriers: Many women may not have the necessary funds or medical benefits to cover treatments, doctor visits, prescriptions, mammograms, and transportation.
Fear of Diagnosis: Fear of being diagnosed with breast cancer can deter women from getting regular screenings, leading to late detection and poorer outcomes.
Lifestyle Factors: A woman's lifestyle can also influence her risk of developing breast cancer.
Addressing these disparities is essential. By increasing access to breast health information and resources, and by helping women of color understand their risk factors and medical histories, we can empower them to advocate for their health. Breaking down these barriers can lead to more informed, educated communities and ultimately, save lives.
Her Story
Photography: Lawless Love Photography
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer in November 2007, my approach to chemotherapy and radiation treatment was to maintain a positive attitude to make the transition easier. Setting a standard of positivity helped me cope with the treatments, the effects and changes my body went through, and maintaining a hopeful outlook on the outcome. I am now a 17-year breast cancer survivor.
At first, I was apprehensive about sharing my diagnosis with others. I wanted to keep it private because I didn't want to share my story or talk about it with anyone. However, during my treatments, I wanted to learn more about breast cancer by researching information and talking to my oncologist. During my search, I found in-depth information from the Susan G. Komen website. I joined the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Support Group and became a volunteer for breast cancer awareness. I participated in The Race for the Cure and the More than Pink Walk, fundraisers to support survivors and thrivers and to support research to eliminate breast cancer. These activities led me to interact with other women who were faced with the same diagnosis.
As I worked more in the community and met women through health fairs and breast health informational sessions, I learned that breast cancer resources are not available to all women in their communities, nor do all women know where to get support for breast health. It became clear that my story needed to be told. I believe the more we share our stories, the more women will learn and be educated about breast cancer.
Therefore, I joined the Breast Cancer Awareness Support Group at my church (Shorter Community AME Church), sharing my story, becoming a volunteer, and eventually becoming the ministry leader. Supporting the Breast Cancer Ministry, volunteering with Susan G. Komen, Denver, and Community Outreach Cares, Cancer Center, Anschutz, Aurora, CO gave me a broader perspective of what needs to be fulfilled.
My purpose is to advocate, navigate, and be an ambassador for women in the community, representing their voice on breast health, resources, benefits, care, education, and funding. The disparities in our communities need to be addressed to ensure women have equal access and inclusion. I hope this platform will provide women with the information they need to be more informed about breast cancer.
