Women are hurting out here

One of my duties I feel as a cancer survivor is to go out into the community and share my story with as many people as possible.
I did this very thing, last night in a place that for some is filled with hopelessness and despair even as it also saves women and their children from a cold night on the street. What was this place? It was the Women’s Mission and when I first walked in I was filled with such empathy and compassion for these women.
And once I began to tell my story and as I looked out into the audience into the faces of the women, I saw fear, shame, hopelessness and tears! But I also saw hope began to grow and smiles began to appear as they heard the message that they were “not alone” and there was help for them.
I even received a letter from one of the women that wanted to convey how my testimony gave her hope and courage to go on even though she was homeless and jobless. I kept that note to always remind me why I do what I do. It is not about me but it is about the many hurting women out in the community that often times do not have a clue where to turn or whom to ask for help.
Our fight is far from being over and as long as there is disease and un-equality in the health care system we must stand up and say that ” WE CARE!”
 

Navita Gunter

Thoughts of a cancer survivor

Thoughts of a Cancer Patient

Sitting in the doctor's office
all alone.

I have so much to do! I just want
to go home!

How did I come to be at
this place?
I wonder can the other people
see the terror on my face

It seemed only a day ago that I had
no serious health concerns at
all.
Then old Mr. Cancer decided to
make a call!

I am to young for this
I cried!
Now I am feeling like all hope in
me has died!

But the doctor said they had caught
the cancer in time
and that with proper treatment I will be
just fine.

The road will not be easy but I am so
glad to be alive!
And I now wear an "S" on my chest
I will be ok, I will
Survive!

All types o writings can help people get through difficult times especially when it involves the BIG C! for cancer does not care who you are it will attack anyone! By the way Janurary is " National Cervical Cancer Awarness month and I wanted to get this in before the month was out.

Take care everyone!

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Something about CCCT

Nashville is a city of community leaders in action. Most of those leaders are women on divinely inspired missions. They are determined to fight for causes that impact not only our city and region but our country. One of those leaders is Navistar Gunter. Ms. Gunter has been a warrior on the battle field in the fight against cancer in the Nashville community. She educates women to take charge of their health and to be strong advocates for cancer awareness. Ms. Gunter uses her personal battle with cancer as a catalyst for her mission to educate women to be survivors by early detection.

Ms. Gunter is a ten year and half year cervical cancer survivor. She currently works PT/FT for the department of Revenue with the state of Tennessee.” She is the founder of the Cervical Cancer Coalition of Tennessee and was first to give a “voice” to this very devastating disease that even to today no woman wants to talk about freely. Navita is also a poet and writer and has used these tools to educated and increase awareness to women, especially African American women in the community about HPV and cervical cancer which in turn reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

Ms. Gunter has presented her story in churches, community organizations and even has been asked to present it in Washington D.C. along with Dr. Dineo Khabele. A few years ago Ms. Gunter was contacted by a newly formed organization brought to Tennessee by Mary Jane Dewey, director over dept. of health. The Witness Project uses Witness Role Models (WRMs) and Lay Health Advisors (LHAs). Witness Role Models are African American women who are breast or cervical cancer survivors. Their presence as survivors is seen as a blessing and proof that cancer is not a death sentence. Lay Health Advisors are not cancer survivors themselves, but are women who want to work with the project to organize and publish programs, network with community people, give facts about breast and cervical cancer and available resources, teach breast self-examinations (BSEs) and encourage preventive services (mammograms, clinical breast exams (CBEs), pelvic exams, Pap tests and breast self-exams (BSE).
 
Ms. Gunter work does not stop with her advocacy in churches and the faith base community. She is seen often at major cancer walks and events, health initiatives, cancer awareness seminars, and survivor celebrations promoting women health. The cancer community is a very close nit community in Nashville and Ms. Gunter’s work, heart and determination are known throughout every corner of Davidson County. Ms. Gunter has received many prestigious awards such as the E.S.T.H.E.R. Award by the Sister’s Network Nashville, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center and the office of Minority Affairs (2007); she received a certificate of appreciation from the National Cancer Institute (2009), House Of Representatives Proclamation for her un-ending work concerning educating women about HPV and cervical cancer. Ms. Gunter was even honored by Sen. Thelma M. Harper of the Tennessee Senate.

In addition to her work with the Witness Project, Ms. Gunter is participating in “Project Crowing

Glory” started by a member ( Samone Sheates ) of the Parthenon Links Nashville which started out with the idea to donate wigs for African American women to the American Cancer Society so they took 13 woman whom had either survived cancer or was going through treatment and treated them to a day of professional make-up, hair care, and clothing’s from various stores and then had a professional photographer Lou Outlaw take picture’s of these women. These pictures will be part of a traveling exhibit first in Tennessee then beyond. Ms. Gunter is also involved with Debbie Wujeck and the cancer clinical trials project which was launched in collaboration with organizations such as Vanderbilt, Meharry and other’s. ENACCT partner’s with non-profits such as the Cervical Cancer Coalition of Tennessee that are community based to help educate the community about cancer clinical trials and how you can get more involved.

 Navita was also asked by Janice Emerson to be a guest speaker at a cancer summit associated with the Department of Health and the CDC (Centers For Disease Control). 

A partnership of the Centers of Disease Control, the Tennessee Department of Health and the citizens of Tennessee, TC2 has ~ 300 volunteer members working in six regional groups across the state. Our goal is to measurably reduce the burden of cancer on the citizens of Tennessee by implementing a collaborative statewide plan driven by data, science, capacity, and outcomes. The annual meeting brings together the state cancer community to focus on transforming the latest knowledge into strategies that communities, institutions, businesses and individuals can employ to battle cancer

The Cervical Cancer Coalition of Tennessee received a grant through its partnership with the Witness Project. And for 3 years CCCT was asked to participate in Shop For A Cause a fund-raising effort created by a nationally known retail store Macy’s to help non-profits raise money for its cause. CCCT is also a member of

United Way

and has a profile on Giving Matter’s. CCCT has been a 501C3 for over 10 years and for more information about volunteering as a board member or to schedule Ms. Gunter to share her story call 615-485-5069 or go to our website at www.cervicalcancercoalition.org.

 

United Way of Nashville code # 3715

www.Givingmatters.com

http://www.cervicalcancercoalition.org/