Women’s History Month: 3 Powerful Wins You Made Possible

Happy Women’s History Month! Here at I Will Survive, Inc., we believe that history isn't just something found in textbooks, it’s something we’re building together every single day. While we often look back at the giants who paved the way for women's rights and health equity, this month is also about celebrating the everyday heroes. That includes you.

Because of your heart and your past breast cancer awareness donation, families right here in our community aren't just surviving their hardest days, they’re finding the stability they need to actually heal. As an ngo in atlanta, we see the "financial toxicity" of cancer up close. It’s a heavy term, but it simply means that the cost of staying alive can sometimes bankrupt a family.

But thanks to your generosity, we’ve been able to step in and flip the script. We’ve been busy making sure that "HERstory" is one of triumph, not just struggle. We wanted to share three powerful wins that happened recently because you chose to stand with us.

Win #1: Keeping the Lights On During the Toughest Fight

Imagine for a second that you’re mid-way through a grueling chemotherapy cycle. You’re exhausted, your immune system is compromised, and your main focus is simply making it to your next appointment. Now, imagine receiving a notice that your electricity is about to be shut off because you’re a month behind on bills.

That was the reality for a mother in our program. She was doing everything right, but the sheer cost of treatment meant she had to choose between medication and the utility bill. She was caring for her children in a home that was at risk of going dark and cold.

Perhaps it’s hard to imagine the relief she felt when we told her the bill was covered. Because of our donors, I Will Survive, Inc. was able to step in quickly and pay her $1,000 utility bill in full.

By restoring that stability, we did more than just pay a bill. We ensured her medication stayed refrigerated. We ensured her kids had a warm place to do their homework. Most importantly, we gave her the mental space to focus on her health. When you give, you’re not just sending money; you’re sending peace of mind.

Real support means keeping families stable during a cancer journey.

Win #2: Saving a Sanctuary and Preventing Foreclosure

For many of us, our home is our sanctuary. It’s the place where we feel safest. For one survivor in our network, her home was the foundation she had worked years to build. However, after her diagnosis, the financial weight became unbearable. Between lost work hours and mounting medical costs, she fell behind on her property taxes.

The threat of losing her home was a weight just as heavy as the cancer itself. She was facing the terrifying spiral of legal notices and fees that lead straight to foreclosure.

We don't think anyone should lose their home while they're fighting for their life. Thanks to your support, we provided $1,000 toward her delinquent property taxes. That lifeline stopped the foreclosure process in its tracks.

Because of you, she didn’t have to pack up her life while recovering from surgery. She kept her dignity, her roof, and her safe space. This is the direct impact of your involvement with our programs and services. We’re not just providing information; we’re providing a safety net.

A stable home is the best environment for a survivor to recover and thrive.

Win #3: Nourishing the Body and Breaking the Stigma

We often talk about women during this month, but we can't forget that breast cancer affects men too. It’s a topic that often carries a lot of silence and stigma, which makes it even harder for men to ask for help.

Recently, we received a call from a worried daughter-in-law. Her father-in-law had been diagnosed with male breast cancer, and the family was overwhelmed. They didn't know where to turn or how to manage the nutritional needs that come with intensive treatment.

Because you invest in our work, we were able to immediately enroll him in our programs. We connected him with our wonderful partner, Open Hand Atlanta. Now, he receives medically tailored, nutritious meals delivered right to his door.

These meals are worth about $100 a week. Over a full year, that adds up to approximately $5,200 in life-sustaining food. It’s food designed specifically to help him stay strong enough for treatment.

He isn't fighting this battle alone anymore. He is seen, he is nourished, and he is supported. If you want to learn more about how this disease impacts men, please check out our page on breast cancer in men.

You Are a Part of HERstory

Every time we pay a utility bill, bring a tax account current, or arrange for a meal delivery, it’s a reflection of your commitment. This is what Women’s History Month looks like in the present tense. It’s community members like you standing in the gap so that families in Atlanta and beyond can survive and thrive.

As we look forward to the rest of the year, we have so many exciting ways to keep this momentum going. From our Ladies First Initiative to upcoming events like our Glo Up Garden Golf Classic in April, there are endless opportunities to make an impact.

Our Ladies First Initiative focuses on empowerment and health advocacy.

We can't do this work without our partners and our donors. If you’re feeling inspired by these three wins, we’d love for you to help us create a fourth, fifth, and sixth win for the families currently on our waiting list.

How You Can Keep the Momentum Going

It seems we always have more families in need than we have immediate funds for, but with your help, we can bridge that gap. Here are three simple ways you can help us write the next chapter of HERstory:

1. Make a Gift: Even a small donation goes toward emergency assistance and healthy meals. You can donate here to make a direct difference today.
2. Spread the Word: Perhaps you know someone who cares about health equity or housing stability? Share this post with them! Awareness is the first step toward action.
3. Join Us in Person: We have some incredible events coming up. Check out our shop and tickets for ways to support us while having a great time with the community.

Summary: The Power of Community

This Women’s History Month, let’s remember that the "wins" we celebrate are made of real moments: a light switch staying on, a foreclosure notice being shredded, and a warm meal being enjoyed.

• Win #1: $1,000 kept a mother’s home safe and warm during chemo.
• Win #2: $1,000 saved a survivor's home from property tax foreclosure.
• Win #3: $5,200 worth of annual meals provided for a man fighting breast cancer.

Thank you for being the reason these stories have happy endings. Together, we are writing a new chapter: one survivor, one family, and one meal at a time.

Ready to make an impact? Click here to get involved today!