Baptist Women’s Health Center hosted Dorchelle Spence, a native Memphian and author of the memoir Into the Gathering Clouds, on Wednesday, Oct. 26. Attendees gathered in person over a brown bag lunch at the Garrett Auditorium, and others joined virtually. The free event in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month was tailored for breast cancer survivors, patients and their families.
“Dorchelle is truly an inspiration. She sends a message of hope and assurance that breast cancer survivors are not alone in their fight. We are so grateful she took the time to share her story with us,” said Jennifer Martinez, administrative director at Baptist Women’s Health Center.
When Spence learned she had triple negative breast cancer, she was a career woman with a busy law practice, teenage daughter, husband, three stepsons and chronically ill mother. She shared her experiences during an hour-long motivational talk. Spence also took questions from the audience and signed copies of her book.
“I was greatly inspired by Dorchelle Spence’s story. You could feel the emotion when she spoke, and her story was so impactful to the survivors in attendance. One survivor who came was particularly moved because she doesn’t have much support,” said Jennifer Coleman, a two-time breast cancer survivor and the outpatient marketing coordinator at Baptist Women’s Health Center.
Jennifer works with the Breast Cancer Support Group that meets at Baptist Women’s Hospital. She said many women with breast cancer feel alone, despite support from their families, so talking with other women who are going through the same thing is an amazing and powerful experience.
If you’re a breast cancer survivor or patient interested in receiving a complimentary copy of Spence’s book, please contact Ann Marie Wallace at annmarie.wallace@bmhcc.org while supplies last.
