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Tiawanna Ezell

Tiawanna Ezell is a 10-year cancer survivor whose journey with Stage III cancer shaped her passion for advocacy, community, and hope. A devoted mother of three daughters, Tiawanna lives each day with gratitude and determination, embracing the beauty of the outdoors—especially through kayaking—and leading others in nature as a volunteer leader for the Outdoor Afro Grand Rapids network.

Her story is deeply personal. Tiawanna lost her grandmother to breast cancer, and more recently, her aunt and a close friend. These experiences, coupled with her own diagnosis and survivorship, fuel her commitment to ensuring that individuals and families have access to treatment services, resources, and support after a diagnosis. She believes strongly in the power of community, resilience, and the ultimate goal of finding a cure for this devastating disease.

Tiawanna has participated in both Relay for Life and Strides Against Breast Cancer events, where she has shared her journey to inspire others.

“Telling my story is not only a way to honor those I have lost but also a way to bring hope and courage to those currently fighting,” she said.

At her core, Tiawanna is a leader, advocate, and survivor whose strength continues to ripple through her family, her community, and every life touched by her words and actions.

From this issue

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