16th Annual Sista Strut walk raises awareness for breast cancer in African American communities

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – On Saturday, the 16th annual Sista Strut 3K walk took place in Downtown St. Louis, hosted by iHeartRadio.

Thousands gathered to raise awareness for breast cancer, specifically for African American communities.

According to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, African American women have a roughly 40% higher death rate from breast cancer.

Organizers say events like Sista Strut are hoping to change those odds.

First Alert 4 sat down with several breast cancer survivors who are also hoping to raise awareness and make a difference.

Chantelle Jones, a two-time survivor says she was first diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer in 2010, “I was at the height of my career six figure earner newly married a daughter that was recently born and never in a million years would i think breast cancer would be my diagnosis,” said Jones.

It was a difficult road to navigate as her insurance wouldn’t cover treatment.

“I was given a death sentence,” shared Jones

Through advocacy groups and outreach, Jones was able to find a way to get that treatment, which inspired her to create her own advocacy group, the Pink Angels Foundation.

Then, nearly 10 years after her first diagnosis, Jones was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer and found herself fighting yet again.

“They had to do reconstruction all over again and here i am today still fighting for my community,” said Jones

She’s not the only one in her family who’s been through this pain. Her cousin, Tondaleia Davis, is also a breast cancer survivor.

“I was diagnosed April 29, 2014,” said Davis, “My kids gave me a lot of inspiration because I didn’t want them to end up like me, my mom passed from breast cancer and it was pretty hard, so I just fought until I got here today.”

It’s a struggle both women say is all too common.

“Breast cancer is so prevalent it does not have a race, a religion, an age, it doesn’t discriminate at all,” said Jones.

Until a cure is found both say they’ll continue to fight and stand with survivors day in and day out, encouraging women to conduct self breast exams and seek treatment as soon as possible.

“To be here today, I know that my purpose is not finished,” said Jones.

As for the Sista Strut walk, organizers say they’re hoping to continue the campaign year after year, raising awareness for those most at risk.

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