FALMOUTH, Trelawny — What started as a devastating reality for Yvonne Dunkley 15 years ago when she received a diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and was given five years to live has transformed into a mission of hope, resilience, and advocacy.

Despite enduring a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and the long-term effects of peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord), Dunkley refused to be defined by her struggles.

Instead, she has used her journey to uplift others, launching the Feed the Fight Breast Cancer Foundation and establishing worldwide support groups to empower cancer patients.

Feed the Fight Breast Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing cancer patients with awareness and tangible aid through advocacy.

The foundation, in partnership with the Trelawny Health Department, recently launched the Trelawny Cancer Support Group at the Falmouth Public General Hospital.

Speaking during the launch, Dunkley disclosed that the foundation she started in 2013 and support groups have reached communities across the United States, Africa, Thailand, and the Caribbean, particularly Jamaica.

Through these initiatives she has provided vital resources, encouragement, and education to those affected by cancer, many of whom lack adequate health-care access.

Dunkley added that for the past three years her organisation has adopted the Oncology and Renal Department at Cornwall Regional Hospital in Jamaica, offering patients inspiration, empowerment, and nourishment.

The St James native, who now resides in the United States, revealed that last year she led a march of thousands of people through the streets of Accra and Kumasi in Ghana to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding breast cancer.

“Last year, our visit to Ghana was a remarkable success; we adopted a children’s home where we were able to give them 20 beds this Christmas, taking them off the floor into warm, clean beds. More than 4,000 Ghanaians marched through the streets of Accra and Kumasi to raise awareness. This initiative is not just a blessing for the patients and the community, it is also a powerful step towards challenging the stigma surrounding breast cancer,” the cancer survivor revealed.

Following her diagnosis in April 2010, Dunkley faced immense challenges, including the removal of 19 lymph nodes — 15 of which were cancerous.

Chemotherapy took a toll on her body, leaving her with memory loss and the debilitating effects of chemo brain syndrome. Yet she remained steadfast in her faith, believing her journey had a greater purpose.

“In 2010 my life changed dramatically when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The ongoing discomfort turned a personal crisis into a profound journey of growth. After my mastectomy, I struggled to accept my new reality, feeling like I had lost a crucial part of my femininity — something that profoundly influences how women see their identities,” she recounted.

“As if grappling with emotional turmoil wasn’t enough, I lost my memory and could not spell my name. This led to feelings of mental fog, linked to chemo brain syndrome, which burdens my thoughts of the chemo and radiation effect. I had to confront the painful reality with a bald head, the stark reminder that intensified the significant physical and emotional burden on my body,” added Dunkley.

Now, even as she dedicates her life to helping others, Dunkley continues to face her own health battles.

During the launch of the Trelawny Support Group, she revealed that she experienced a concerning symptom — a blister on her breast and increased swelling in her armpit. Despite these alarming developments, she remains resolute in her mission.

“I will fly out to see my oncologist, and God will take care of the rest, because there is nothing that happens to us that God does not have a plan; He sees before it happens, and He already planned for us to walk. He said, ‘Above all things, I want you to prosper and be in good health.’ Today, I am walking in faith because, despite what is ahead of me, I will fight to the end with God beside me, because I am still blessed,” the resolute Dunkley stated.

Through her foundation and advocacy, Dunkley is proving that cancer does not have to define or defeat a person.

“Together, we can create a brighter future for individuals affected by cancer. Let’s thrive, not just survive, and spread hope to those who need it most. Let’s make a difference together. When we genuinely recognise our blessings, the urge to share that love with the world grows stronger, even amidst our own pain.

“It’s a beautiful reminder that our struggles can lead us to connect more deeply with others. Through our shared strength and unwavering faith, we can cultivate a powerful anchor that brings comfort, solace, and inspiration — even on the most brutal days. Together, we are not just surviving, we are thriving and finding purpose in and on our journey by leaning on each other,” declared Dunkley.