MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Breast Cancer Awareness Month is almost over, but the needs of patients are year-round. That's why a new nonprofit based in Blount County is aiming to help ease the financial burden for those who are unable to work.
The Joy of Dawn launched in October 2023, after the founder, Joy LaForce, faced her own battle with breast cancer. It's her way of giving back to those who need extra support.
LaForce was first diagnosed in October 2020, after finding a lump during a self-check in the shower. From there, she had a mastectomy, chemo and radiation, because the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes.
At first, when she discovered she had cancer, she was afraid of the outcome.
"All I had ever heard is who had passed due to cancer or breast cancer," LaForce said. "I had never heard of survivors, so of course I went to the worst."
She went through a year where she was thankful to have the support of her friends and family. When she finally got to ring the bell and step on the other side of being a fighter, she realized there was something missing in her community.
"For some reason, I'm still here, and so I want to give back and this was my way of doing it," LaForce said.
The Joy of Dawn started as an idea and blossomed from there. The goal is to, "help breast cancer patients who are of working age who can't work because they're going through treatments," LaForce said. Donations to the nonprofit help those patients pay their bills.
She also wants to remind fighters that it's important to focus on the positive outcomes, and the survivors who are here to help.
"You are stronger than you think you are, and you will learn what that means during this journey," she said. "You are stronger than what you think you are."
The nonprofit's name is a double meaning.
"Every day you wake up, when you're going through chemo that has absolutely devastated your body, you are just thrilled to death that you woke up and can go on another day," LaForce said. "So there's the joy of dawn every morning."
While the founder's first name is Joy, the latter half is a tribute to a friend of hers named Dawn.
"I would talk to [Dawn] in the middle of the night one night who gave me encouragement," LaForce said.
Unfortunately, Dawn's battle with metastatic breast cancer took her life before she was able to learn of the nonprofit bearing her name.
LaForce wants to carry on the legacy of support for years to come, hopefully, one day expanding the help to all cancer patients throughout the state of Tennessee.
If you are a breast cancer fighter who needs financial help you can apply online at JoyOfDawn.org for assistance.
There is also a fundraiser dinner for Joy of Dawn on Nov. 9. Katie Inman will be emceeing the evening. You can buy tickets here.