By Anna Grace Moore
Photos by James and Rachel Culver; Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center; and Shaver Photography
Fear cannot hold a light to the power faith holds. At Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center (FBCSC), faith remains the pillar of community–the tie that binds patients, survivors, families and more together, in order to overcome not just cancer, but also the crippling weight of such a journey one in eight women will have to navigate.
According to the American Cancer Society, 310,720 women are estimated to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and 42,250 of those patients will pass away. Breast cancer affects both women and men and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States.
While these numbers are daunting, there is still hope. The American Cancer Society also reports that in the U.S., there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors–including those still undergoing treatment.
Two of those survivors, Fabiola Valencia and Teresa Ramirez, live here in Shelby County and are eager to share their stories, hoping their journeys inspire other women who are affected by breast cancer.
In February 2022, Fabiola did a self-exam and realized she felt an usual lump in her breast. After two mammograms and an ultrasound, she was diagnosed with Stage 1A breast cancer.
“I received my mom’s diagnosis over the phone,” says Leslie Valencia, Fabiola’s daughter. “The first few days were tough. Right before she started her treatment, she told me, ‘I prayed, and God told me I am going to be okay,’ and that was all she needed to get through it. Her faith made her even stronger and gave her the last push to continue fighting.”
Fabiola received a lumpectomy followed by a second surgery to remove the affected breast tissue. In October 2022, she began chemotherapy and had eight treatments before starting what would be her 33 radiations.
Finally, in April 2023, Fabiola became cancer-free.
“Every week that I had chemo, I had different symptoms,” Fabiola says. “I had headaches. I had nausea. I was fatigued. It was one chemo in particular that affected me more than the rest of them. I was on bedrest for 13 days. I couldn’t get out of bed. Emotionally, I was in a different stage of life. I took it one day at a time.”
Teresa agrees, saying she had no family history of breast cancer. She received her diagnosis in February 2022 and underwent a lumpectomy and 30 radiations–one a day for five days a week for an entire month.
Teresa transitioned into remission in March 2022. Now cancer-free for more than two years, Teresa says she has made it her mission to encourage others that although the fight is hard, the victory is worth the battle.
“The best advice and what helped me is to hang onto your faith,” Teresa says. “Be aware that we have the strength within us. If God is making us go through it, there is a reason. It’s even more exalted by the help that we receive.”
Such help both Fabiola and Teresa say they found at FBCSC through Ana Emaldi, who previously served as the Hispanic programs and community outreach coordinator.
“I am incredibly proud of them,” Ana says. “They are an example of resilience, courage and determination. They’ve empowered and inspired me.”
Founded in 2014, FBCSC began as the Breast Cancer Survivorship Rehabilitation Initiative–the brainchild of the Women’s Breast Health Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham.
This foundation issued a community-wide survey to assess the needs of breast cancer survivors in central Alabama. Results yielded the necessity of consistent community for such individuals from the initial diagnosis throughout the rest of life, even into remission and beyond.
Answering that call in 2016, FBCSC was launched as a collaborative effort of the Women’s Breast Health Fund at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham and Ascension St. Vincent’s, UAB Health System, Brookwood Baptist Health and Grandview Medical Center. In 2020, FBCSC became a 501(c)3 nonprofit, offering survivorship plans, health and wellness classes, therapy, grocery and gas cards, community groups and more.
In October 2021, FBCSC hosted its first-ever Haute Pink fashion show, utilizing local models who are all breast cancer survivors. All of the designers are local as well, and many of them have loved ones who have been affected by the disease.
In October 2023, Fabiola made her debut on the catwalk, and for the first time, the FBCSC featured a designer who was also a survivor, Teresa.
“The beauty of this event is that by the time we hear their stories and the stories of the designers when they come out on stage, they could be wearing a potato sack, and it wouldn’t matter,” says Lauren Roberts, Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center’s executive director. “The crowd is cheering and on their feet because they are so excited to see them thriving and having fun and being celebrated. Just to see the joyas they take in as the audience is cheering for them is such a powerful experience.”
Wearing a one-of-a-kind Ericka Murdock design, Fabiola strutted the runway in a stunning, two-toned lavender gown, whose bodice resembled a “V” neckline flowing into several layers of tulle fashioned into a high-low split. Compliments of La Vida Hair Salon, Fabiola’s natural beauty was accentuated through her glowing hair and makeup style.
Francisco and Elizabeth Gama, the owners of La Vida Hair Salon, donated hair and makeup services to both Fabiola and Teresa, ensuring all services were done for free.
With not a dry eye in the house, the crowd’s echoes of applause filled every corridor of the theater as Fabiola made her debut, twirling onstage to show off her radiant attire. A thunderous round of applause roared among the crowd as everyone cheered for Dondra Goldsby–whose gown was designed by Teresa–confidently walked onstage.
Dondra’s look was the rare definition of class. Teresa designed the top of the dress with charmeuse fabric, and the skirt of the dress was made with African embroidered fabric adorned in 3D flowers. The detachable wrap skirt was created with baby pink gauze fabric.
Teresa, who had worked for years as an atelier instructor in Mexico, says she was surprised but elated when FBCSC asked her to be a designer in last year’s show. Teresa is the founder and owner of Pinky Blossom, which is a children’s clothing boutique and alterations shop located in Pelham.
“I didn’t know if I could do it after so many years had passed, but I felt very excited to be able to participate in this adventure with the other ladies,” Teresa says. “I hope our models feel beautiful as warriors and are inspired to keep on going.”
Both Fabiola and Teresa say there is nothing quite like being celebrated for being survivors. The best part, they believe, is getting to bond with one another, supporting each other through every stage in her journey.
“My experience with Forge has been incredible,” Fabiola says. “They have helped me a lot with my self-esteem. I would not be able to be the woman that I am now–a fighter–without that sisterhood that I found at Forge.”
Fabiola walks taller now, and her smile is a bit brighter. Leslie says at one point, she was not sure if she would see this side of her mom again.
“My mom is one of the kindest, strongest and most positive people I know,” Leslie says. “She decided to take action and advocate for herself and her health. I don’t think I tell her this enough, but I am so proud of her for standing up for her own health and for now advocating, with the help of Forge, for others to take care of themselves.”
Looking forward, FBCSC will continue to host the Haute Pink fashion show, advocating that anyone who is a survivor should feel beautiful because while dresses and makeup are pretty, their stories have the power to foster hope in light of a devastating disease.
After all, it takes only one light to shine brightly in darkness, illuminating the world with faith–the only thing more powerful than fear.
Haute Pink 2024 will take place on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Red Mountain Theatre Arts Campus in Birmingham. Tickets are $100 and include two beverages and hors d’oeuvres. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit hautepink.swell.gives. For more information about Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center, visit forgeon.org.
Haute Pink
“Breast cancer changes everything. You look in the mirror, and you don’t resemble who you were before the diagnosis. That’s one of the things we love about this event is it makes our clients feel beautiful again, and we get to celebrate that.”
-Lauren Roberts, Forge Breast Cancer Survivor Center Executive Director
