BlackDoctor Foundation and AstraZeneca Link Up to Combat Cancer and Lupus in Communities

As part of AstraZeneca’s Accelerate Change Together (ACT) initiative, the BlackDoctor Foundation (BDF) hosted a “Community Voices Against Cancer & Lupus” panel moderated by Dr. Reed Tuckson. Marking the inaugural in-person Choose Healthy Life 2025 National Conclave, it aims to enhance awareness around health issues through four nationwide events. Keynote speaker Reverend Al Sharpton and gospel artist JJ Hairston engaged an audience of nearly 200 health advocates, emphasizing personal narratives and the value of early detection in combating cancer.Donna Thompson, a lung cancer and lupus survivor, shared her riveting journey, underscoring the necessity of attentive healthcare. Similarly, filmmaker Kenneth Gifford highlighted early prostate cancer detection through community events, advocating for open dialogues among men. Both narratives reveal the need to dismantle stigmas surrounding health discussions, particularly within the Black community, where cancer disparities persist. The collaboration between BDF and AstraZeneca strives for equitable health advancements, transforming challenges into collective resilience amidst adversity.