I met Angela a few years ago while waiting in line for a women’s event and we have been friends ever since. Instantly, I connected with her and when I found out what she did, I was even more intrigued. Helping breast cancer survivors is her mission and at the time I met her, my mother was still with us and battling breast cancer. She began to offer free advice and great health information to my mother. I saw first-hand how she helps women in the community and vowed to support her business even more. Please take a look at what Angela Darling is doing to empower others and learn why she loves what she does!

What’s your business name?
I must explain how my business name came into fruition. Following my breast cancer diagnosis in 1999, and undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, I had quiet time to think. The divine spirit and still small voice within each of us guided me to generate an educational newsletter. I was then told to entitle the newsletter, “Love Your Breasts” which was received positively in the community. It was launched October 2000. Friends and family encouraged me to do more. Therefore, Love Your Breasts, Inc. (LYBI) was incorporated in 2002 and became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2003. Because breast cancer is the most feared cancer this is related to the fact it affects body image. Therefore, God chose the name for me in order to encourage women to love themselves first, love their breasts and perform monthly breast self exam, annual clinical exam and never ever skip your yearly mammogram.

2. What’s your main service?
Our main service is educating the community to heighten and increase awareness of breast cancer and other cancers with emphasis on minorities. To provide overall wellness guidelines and support services i.e., monthly cancer support group and bi-monthly Look Good Feel Better program for women experiencing the negative side effects of cancer treatment.

3. What are some things that you do for women?
We attend health/street fairs, organize wellness seminars and healthy breast workshops, accept invitations for speaking engagements to places of worship, community groups, etc. At these events uninsured/underinsured women are identified and referred for free or low cost mammograms. We support cancer survivors and their family during the cancer journey via support services mentioned above, via telephone, email, inspirational cards, birthday cards, etc. We also refer women who did not have breast reconstruction to be fitted for breast prosthesis. A strong and caring support system is crucial.

4. Any interesting fact you can share about your industry?
LYBI is located in the Bronx and has a myriad of community partners. We are listed in Cancer Care, (ACS) The American Cancer Society’s database and clients are referred to LYBI. We also receive referrals from friends, multiple doctors and survivors in the support group, etc. Breast cancer can be a daunting and devastating diagnosis, but in the end these women come through it stronger than they ever were before. They realize there is an inner strength that comes forth and they in turn can support others. There is so much to be learned during the breast cancer journey with a myriad of winning successful personal stories.

5. What’s the most popular problem you help people solve?
The negativity and fear of recurrence. We work to keep the women focused on positive thoughts. Guiding them that when fears are creeping in to divert thoughts to a prayer (if one has a belief in a higher power), meditate, carry out deep breathing exercises, yoga, call a non-toxic individual, write in your daily journal and identify blessings. Reinforcing regardless of what is going on negative there is a blessing in the storm. Reminding the newly diagnosed I myself is still here nine years later following a stage 2 diagnosis because I adhere to the following tips noted above.

6. What year did you kiss Corporate America goodbye and why do you hope to never go back?
For over 27 years I worked in the hospital setting. I worked staff level approximately 3 years and then promoted to assistant nurse manager and then the remaining years to manager/supervisor. The job was extremely stressful. During my illness God did speak to me to make the transition into the community. My outreach into the community is desperately needed. I meet individuals still working at the hospital and they tell me Angie we miss you and would I ever reconsider and come back. My response is always no because God has reassigned me.

7. How do you stay motivated? What keeps me motivated is: 1) The sincere appreciation from the ladies we support through a cancer diagnosis journey. 2) When in the community at health fairs, speaking engagements and individuals thank me and express the presentation was so informative and they learned so much. Giving back and being of service drives me in addition to the admiration for my mission of love from my daughter, sister and grandkids.

8. What’s a bold move you took that turned your business around?
Being bold enough to approach important people and express my request. For example, asking the community relations manager at Barnes & Noble bookstore to allow me to do presentations two years in a row during breast cancer awareness month. 2001 and 2002. He said yes each time and that led me to request launching a cancer support group there in 2003. Next request in 2004 was boldly asking for room rental at The Negro Women Council building to launch our Look Good Feel Better program. To date LYBI is a multiple award winning organization and recipient of 12 distinguished awards.

9. Most exciting moment that you got your time to shine?
I have truly been blessed in this area. LYBI support services were featured 2003 and 2004 in the local papers. Myself personally on multiple radio interviews the most outstanding with Michael Baisden radio personality. One hour personal interview on Cablevision channel 68 and 70 in 2006. For October 2007, The New York Amsterdam News featured me in a full page story in Black New Yorkers article that is published monthly.

Want to connect with Angela or learn more about her organization? You can also make a donation via her website!
Email: aloveyourbreasts@aol.com
Phone: 718-231-5746
Website: www.lybi.org