Our 2026 Impact Report: 517 Reasons Why We Keep Fighting

When I look at a spreadsheet, I don't just see rows of numbers or percentages. I see faces. I see the mom in DeKalb County who’s trying to figure out how to get to her third chemo appointment of the week while her car is acting up. I see the school teacher in Fulton County who’s grading papers in a waiting room. I see the person who just received a "no" from their insurance company and feels like the world is closing in.

At I Will Survive, Inc., our mission has always been simple: to provide economic support, prevention education, and health equity services to those fighting breast cancer. But "simple" doesn't mean easy.

As we hit May 2026, we took a long, hard look at our intake data from the past year. We served 517 clients. That’s 517 lives, 517 families, and 517 reasons why we get up every morning and do this work. Today, I want to pull back the curtain and show you exactly where your donations go and who we are serving together.

Where in the World is I Will Survive, Inc.?

While our heart and soul are rooted right here in the South, our reach is growing faster than we ever imagined. We’ve always been proud of our Georgia roots, but the data shows that the need for our services isn’t bound by state lines.

Out of 517 clients who completed our survey over a 5 year period (2021-2025), 60.3% are Georgia residents. That leaves nearly 40% of our clients coming to us from out-of-state. This tells us two things: the word is spreading, and the gaps in breast cancer support are a national crisis. We now serve more local than national after scaling back during the pandemic.

Closer to home, we are deeply embedded in the Metro Atlanta area. Here is how our 41.4% Metro Atlanta footprint breaks down:

• Fulton County: 27.8%
• DeKalb County: 16.3%
• Cobb County: 14.4%
• Gwinnett County: 13.9%
• Clayton County: 11.0%
• Other Metro Counties (Henry, Newton, Douglas, Rockdale): 16.7%

Whether someone lives five minutes from our office or five states away, we’re doing everything in our power to ensure they don’t fight alone.

Alt: A data visualization map showing the geographic reach of I Will Survive, Inc. across Georgia and the United States.

Breaking Down the Barriers: Health Equity in Action

We talk a lot about "health equity," but what does that actually mean in the real world? It means looking at the barriers that prevent someone from getting the care they deserve. For many of our clients, those barriers are financial and systemic.

Let’s talk about insurance. We found that 24.4% of our clients are completely uninsured. Let that sink in for a second. Nearly a quarter of the people coming to us are facing one of the most expensive medical battles imaginable without a safety net. Another 15.9% are on Medicaid.

When you combine those stats with the fact that 55.5% of our clients are unemployed or not working during their treatment, you see a clear picture of "financial toxicity." Breast cancer doesn't just attack the body; it attacks the bank account.

Alt: Infographic titled 'The Financial Burden of Breast Cancer' showing treatment costs and tips for financial assistance.

We also discovered that 2.2% of our clients are currently unhoused or experiencing homelessness. It is heartbreaking to imagine navigating radiation or surgery recovery without a permanent place to lay your head. This data reinforces why our emergency financial assistance is so vital. We aren't just helping with "extra" costs; we are helping people keep their lights on and their dignity intact.

The "Gas Card" Factor: More Than Just a Trip to the Pump

One of the statistics I’m most proud of is this: 100% of our clients receive a gas cards who need one.

You might think, "It’s just a gas card," but the data tells a different story. Transportation is one of the biggest hurdles to treatment completion. If you can’t get to the doctor, you can’t get better.

Our data shows just how intense the travel schedule is for a breast cancer patient:

• 23.2% of our clients make 6+ trips per month to healthcare facilities.
• 34.6% make 2-3 trips per week.
• 13.9% of our clients don’t even have a personal vehicle.

For those without a car, we step in with navigation support, but for the 85.9% who do have a vehicle, those gas cards are a lifeline. They reduce appointment absences and ensure that "empty" isn't the reason someone misses a life-saving treatment. When you donate, you are quite literally putting fuel in the tank of a survivor.

A Special Shoutout to Our Educators

I want to take a moment to highlight a specific group within our 517 clients. About 7.2% of our clients are school teachers or education workers. My mother was a teacher.

We have survivors working in DeKalb County Schools, Gwinnett County Schools, Clayton County Public Schools, and Cobb County Schools. These are the people shaping the next generation, and they are doing it while fighting for their own lives.

It’s also worth noting that 44.3% of our total client base is employed while undergoing treatment. The strength it takes to show up for a job while managing the side effects of chemo or the exhaustion of radiation is nothing short of heroic. We are honored to support these workforce warriors.

Why Transparency Matters

We share this data because we want you to see the reality of the "survivor" experience in 2026. It isn't all pink ribbons and parades. It’s hard work, expensive bills, and a lot of driving.

But it’s also full of hope. Because of our community of donors, volunteers, and partners, we’ve been able to provide 100% coverage for transportation needs. We’ve been able to bridge the gap for the uninsured. We’ve been able to show up for the 517 people who reached out and said, "I need help."

As we look toward the rest of the year, our goal is to keep these numbers moving in the right direction. We want to reach more people, provide more gas cards, and continue to advocate for health equity across the board.

How You Can Help Us Reach the Next 517

If this data moved you, I’d love for you to join us. We aren't a massive, faceless corporation; we are a community-led non-profit that relies on the generosity of people like you.

One of the easiest ways to support our ongoing mission is through our 10 for 10 Campaign. The goal is simple: 10,000 people giving just $10 a month. That’s it. That small, consistent gift allows us to plan for the future and ensure that when the 518th client calls, we can say "yes."

The new 10 for 10 Mission Summary graphic tells that story clearly. It shows that we are reaching deep into the community, especially for people who often carry a heavy load while facing treatment. 7.2% of our clients are educators, serving students and families even as they manage their own health journey. 24.4% are uninsured, which means many come to us without the basic coverage that could make treatment easier to access.

That’s exactly why this campaign matters so much. 10 for 10 helps keep this engine running for all 517+ warriors we serve. It helps us stay ready to respond with transportation support, financial assistance, and practical care when families need it most.

Alt: 10 for 10 Mission Summary graphic highlighting I Will Survive, Inc.'s community reach, including 7.2% educator clients and 24.4% uninsured clients among 517+ warriors served.

Alt: Promotional flyer for the 10 for 10 Campaign: 10,000 People, $10 a Month, 10 Months.

Final Takeaways from our 2026 Impact:

• We are a lifeline for the underinsured: With nearly 25% of our clients lacking insurance, our programs are essential for basic healthcare access.
• Transportation is a primary barrier: By providing gas cards to 100% of our clients, we are directly increasing treatment adherence.
• We support the local workforce: From teachers to service workers, we help people stay employed and supported during their fight.
• Our reach is national, but our heart is in Atlanta: We are proud to serve the Metro Atlanta area while extending a helping hand to survivors across the country.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Whether you’ve volunteered your time, donated a few dollars, or shared our posts on social media, you are the reason these 517 people had a smoother path to recovery.

Let’s keep fighting. Together, we don't just survive: we thrive.

Ready to make an impact?
Join the 10 for 10 Movement Today!

Thank you, 

Anisa Palmer

CEO + Founder

#ImpactReport #HealthEquity #AtlantaNonProfit #BreastCancerAwareness #IWillSurviveInc