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 In light of some recent negative comments on the net about breast cancer being caused by "evil thoughts" and the implication that one who has breast cancer or any chronic illness is in some way evil, we here at Afrikan Sistahs decided to combat ignorance with education.
The African Spiritual community has lost some greats in the past few years due to breast cancer. Two years ago, my godsister, Iya Oshunyemi Alake Ford lost her battle with breast cancer in Atlanta, Georgia on a beautiful summer day in July. She told me a few days before she was ready in accordance with a pact we made when she was diagnosed, and I told her to let go. I began to prepare her family and our friends for her trip, which was her wish. She was brave and courageous, and we even had a falling out at one point over her treatment, but she called me a few months before her death to apologize. Unbeknownst to me, she was making peace with what was to come. The sister of my godmother lost her battle almost two a year and a half ago. She fought it with a vengeance and her home going left behind a legacy for those of us close to my Iya that we would hold healing circles and retreats at the home where she passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones..
Iya Adeomi, of Philadelphia was a wonderful Priestess of Yemoja and powerful spokeswoman for Breast Cancer awareness. Iya recently lost her battle and went home to join our ancestors. I had the pleasure of hosting a series of radio shows with the Iya and Rhadia Jabber and a few other survivors called "The Breast Cancer Chronicles". The Iya will be sorely missed. Awareness must be raised. Comments such as those inferred by a purported "goddess" must be countered with education. There are many risk factors associated with this disease which even targets men in it's insidiousness. We as a people have a difficult time seeking timely treatment and statements such as what we witnessed are what keeps us in the grip of a needless death process. Real "goddesses" Oshun, Yemoja and Oya are ready to assist in any battle against this disease. If one is suffering from breast cancer, or is in it's sights due to blood lines, it is to Oshun that one goes. I assisted in birthing a cancer center in Nigeria a few years ago. Even though many of the women were Muslim or Christian, one of my suggestions that a pilgrimage to Oshogbo, the home of Oshun and bathing in the river there would be curative was embraced wholeheartedly across religious lines. This battle and the battle against prostate cancer in our black men cannot be won without appropriate education. Afrikan Sistahs has also formed the Prostate Information Center in honor of our brothers.
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