LaWanda Is Slaying Cancer

Our beautiful Sorority sister, LaWanda Fanner, is currently fighting Stage 2 Invasive Ductal Carcinoma Breast Cancer, a disease that way too many of us have had to battle.

LaWanda is in her early 40s, active and faithful to her church family of Brentwood Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated - Bay Area Houston Alumnae Chapter. We had the privilege of meeting her as we joined the same illustrious sorority. LaWanda is our amazing Special Sister and has been a part of our lives ever since. She has shown to be supportive, caring and thoughtful.

LaWanda found the lump on her own as she was showering. She immediately went to her Ob-Gyn to let her examine it. She placed an order for LaWanda to get a mammogram, ultrasound, and a biopsy if needed. The mammogram was done on November 15, 2022, at 10:00 am. The radiologist glanced over the images and immediately told her to get an ultrasound on the same day. The results later showed that she needed a biopsy.

The biopsy was done on November 29, 2022. The pathology report confirmed that LaWanda has a 3-cm tumor in her right breast. However, due to the size of the tumor and its aggressiveness, her breast surgeon at Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land wanted an oncologist’s opinion. She referred her to a very nice oncologist….one of the best. Based on lab work, the oncologist preferred for LaWanda to do 16 rounds of chemo to shrink the tumor before having surgery.

LaWanda started her 1st round of chemo on Thursday, January 19, 2023. The treatments will last until June 1, 2023. After that, she will have a lumpectomy (to remove the lump and any cancerous tissue) and then radiation. LaWanda's genetic test came back negative, meaning that the risk of ever getting breast cancer from either side of her family is not likely. She is the only person in her family to have ever received a breast cancer diagnosis.

Her breast cancer journey is going to be overwhelming. But with the grace and mercy of God, LaWanda will get through this! Her oncologist preferred that her chemo treatments be scheduled on Thursdays at 1:30 pm. That way if she feels fatigued from the treatment, she could take that Friday off and recuperate during the weekend.

Here is where she would need your help. LaWanda currently works as a temporary employee for a particular organization. Working as a temp, she does not get any sick/leave days or any benefits. She had to purchase her own health insurance, which took effect on January 1, 2023. However, she is responsible for some of the costs that are not covered under the plan. Her medical bills will be costly due to the over 30 doctor visits, including PET/MRI/CT Scans, chemo treatments, and days LaWanda may have to take off due to doctor appointments.

Being a temporary employee at her job, LaWanda won’t get paid if she does not work. This will make it hard to pay medical expenses on top of her monthly bills. We would like to ask if you could please help her meet her goal of $17,000.00. Whatever you can give would be greatly appreciated. LaWanda truly is standing on the promises of God’s ultimate healing power. Better yet, she believes that she is already healed in the name of Jesus. Please keep LaWanda lifted in your prayers.

We also ask that you share this link with your community (friends, family, church and co-workers). Thanks for your generosity and support in advance.

Her Special Sisters,

Maia Bean

Chrystal Rivers