Can one walk really change the future of breast cancer for Black women?

The numbers don’t lie, and they tell a story that keeps me up at night. I have witnessed firsthand the alarming trend: African/Caribbean women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are facing rising rates of aggressive breast cancer, often diagnosed too late.

The recent Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal study didn’t surprise me; it confirmed what we have been seeing in clinics and community centers across the country.

What did surprise me, however, was the silence that followed these findings. When I first read the report, I felt a familiar mix of frustration and determination. How could we know this and not act? This question led me down a path of investigation, speaking with healthcare providers, survivors, and community leaders to understand why these disparities persist.

The answers were complex but clear: systemic barriers, cultural incompetence in healthcare settings, lack of targeted awareness, and limited access to timely screenings. These are the differences between life and death for women I know, women whose stories deserve to be heard.

“I felt dismissed when I first mentioned the lump to my doctor,” shared Marcia, a 38-year-old survivor of triple-negative breast cancer. “I was told I was too young, that it was probably nothing. By the time I was taken seriously, the cancer had advanced.”

Stories like Marcia’s are why The Olive Branch of Hope’s One Dream Walk of Hope on August 23^rd, 2025, at G. Ross Lord Park is a necessary response to a healthcare crisis that is unfolding in real time. When I first learned about this initiative, I felt something shift.

What makes this walk different is its clear, community-driven solution. The funds raised directly power the EmpowerHER Breast Health Awareness & Screening Program, which brings free: mammogram screenings, education, and culturally relevant resources directly to the women who need them most. Having witnessed these events at hospitals across the Greater Toronto Area, I can attest to their transformative impact.

The Olive Branch of Hope has had previous screening programs where women who had never undergone mammograms finally accessed this critical service in a space that felt safe and welcoming. The relief was palpable. I spoke with a participant who attended this screening and they shared with me, “For the first time, I didn’t feel like just another chart. They saw me, they understood my fears, and they answered all my questions.”

The One Dream Walk of Hope represents a powerful form of community healing. It’s a space where we acknowledge the pain of loss while celebrating resilience, where we confront uncomfortable truths about healthcare disparities while building tangible solutions. When we walk together on August 23^rd, we are rewriting the narrative of breast cancer for African/Caribbean women in Canada.

Your participation (whether walking, donating, or volunteering) directly supports expanding these life-saving services to more hospitals across Ontario. Every step helps ensure that another woman like Marcia won’t be dismissed. Every dollar contributes to creating a healthcare system that truly serves all communities.

You have the power to change everything. Every step you take in this walk matters for the real women behind them. For your: mother, your daughter, your sister, your best friend. For the Afro/Indo/Caribbean women in your community who are twice as likely to die from this disease simply because they can’t access the care they deserve.

Will you walk with us? Will you be the reason a woman catches her cancer early? Will you be part of the solution that finally gives Black women the fighting chance they’ve always deserved?

Event Details:
When: Saturday, August 23^rd, Check-in: 8:00 AM, Walk Begins: 9:00 AM
Where: G. Ross Lord Park, 4801 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON
Registration: $35 (includes commemorative t-shirt, lunch, welcome bag, and refreshments)
Register at: theolivebranch.ca