Testimony
Marenda
I am Marenda Hughes, a Compton native, Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor, advocate, speaker, and Co-Founder of Operation Knockout Breast Cancer Now.
In 2014, at 39 years old, I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer and learned that I carry the BRCA1 genetic mutation. My treatment included chemotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, and additional preventive surgeries. I was fortunate to have people surrounding me with love, information, and support, but I learned that many women face this diagnosis without the same resources.
I started OKBC to turn my survival into service.
Black and Brown women continue to face serious disparities in breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, support, and outcomes. Through OKBC, I want women battling triple-negative breast cancer to receive compassionate support, trustworthy information, practical resources, and the confidence to advocate for themselves.
Every woman deserves to heal with dignity. No woman should have to face breast cancer without a community standing beside her. OKBC is the promise I made to use what I survived to help another woman fight, heal, and move forward.
Mission
Our mission is to support women with triple negative breast cancer and the co-survivors who walk alongside them by providing care, services, and helpful resources. We teach people about lowering their risk, finding breast cancer early, and the challenges many women of color face. We work to improve fair access to care, encourage women to join research, and support better treatments for everyone.
***Co-survivors are the family members, friends, caregivers, and loved ones who walk alongside women throughout their breast cancer journey.***
Vision
OKBC envisions a future where all women battling, surviving, and thriving through breast cancer can heal with dignity, compassion, and support as they adapt to their new normal.
Values
Build Trust
We help women trust themselves and feel confident making important choices about their breast cancer care. We also work to build trust in doctors, healthcare, and community support.
Empower
We help women with breast cancer learn about their care, speak up for what they need, try new treatment options, and join research that can help save lives. We also help families, friends, and communities find support, care for loved ones, and speak up for better access to care and treatment.
Close Gaps
We shine a light on the barriers and gaps that keep women from getting the care they need. We work to help close those gaps so every woman, especially Black women and other women of color, has a fair chance to get care, support, and resources.