I never imagined I'd be sharing this story, but here I am. My name is Lonni, and I wear many hats: wife, bonus mom to two wonderful girls, sister, daughter, friend, U.S. Navy veteran, and, most notably, a breast cancer warrior, supporter, and survivor. At the age of 36, in April 2021, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 metastatic breast cancer. My treatment regimen was intense: 8 rounds of chemotherapy, 6 surgeries, and 30 radiation sessions over eight months—a truly challenging period in my life. This battle required a village; my friends and family were my unwavering support system. I vowed to them that I'd push through the treatment with all my might and find a way to give this harrowing experience meaning—a promise that unexpectedly evolved into something greater. Now, two and a half years later, thanks to countless supporters, medical professionals, local business owners, and even strangers, we've made strides I never thought possible. We're even in the process of establishing a nonprofit, the Pink Phoenix Foundation. In our first year, using only local donations, we assembled and distributed over 100 chemo care bags to fellow warriors. Last year, we expanded our efforts by organizing the inaugural Par Fore The Pair golf tournament fundraiser, raising significant funds that helped alleviate the financial burdens of local warriors, continued our chemo care bag initiative, and contributed $10,000 to Susan G. Komen for research towards finding a cure. My commitment now is to keep expanding our mission, providing care, and more support to those in our community fighting breast cancer. In my tribe, no one fights alone. 

- Lonni Stewart Anderson