Together We Can: Yvonne McLean Florence’s Journey from Breast Cancer Survivor to Advocate
Yvonne and her husband Calvin
Before her cancer diagnosis, Yvonne McLean Florence had a full life. She worked as an Administrative Assistant at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, spent lots of time nurturing her family, enjoying her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and ordained minister, while finding time to enjoy gardening and crafting. Her life, full of simple joys, took an unexpected turn when suddenly she was facing a breast cancer diagnosis.
Yvonne’s cancer journey started when a self-breast check led to the discovery of a lump in her right armpit. Confirmatory ultrasounds and biopsies revealed breast cancer, specifically HER2 positive, early-stage breast cancer with lymph node involvement. The diagnosis ushered in a tumultuous period, leaving Yvonne facing the challenges of treatment — chemotherapy, radiation, and Herceptin infusions, and grappling with the side effects of treatment. Yvonne had to navigate short-term side effects, like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weight loss, mouth sores, hot flashes and many others, while learning to manage the long-term effects like anxiety, depression, and the profound impact on her identity and body image.
Reflecting on those dark moments, she shares, “The most terrifying part for me were the times during treatment that I literally felt depleted. I did not have energy to do anything.” Her faith and inner strength became pillars that helped her navigate the experience. “Breast cancer knocked me down, but I did not stay down.” Yvonne credits her faith, support from her husband, Calvin, and a circle of friends and family who took turns accompanying her to treatments as a crucial foundation and source of strength during this difficult time.
Yvonne found respite in the excellent care she received. Reflecting on her care team, Yvonne said, “They made me feel super special. My medical oncologist and breast surgeon took their time to explain what I needed to know and shared with me what I should expect during treatment.”
In the face of adversity, Yvonne emerged not just as a survivor but as a powerful advocate for others. As she reflects on the experience, one piece of advice stands out: “Don’t do cancer alone. Find your community or village. Being diagnosed with cancer is overwhelming. Having a person you trust that will listen is necessary.” This same wisdom encapsulates the essence of Yvonne’s advocacy – a call to connect, share, and support one another through the challenging terrain that follows a cancer diagnosis.
Yvonne’s advocacy work began two months after completing her treatment, fueled by a desire to help other women impacted by breast cancer. Together with her sisters, mother, and a family friend, Yvonne founded Sisters R Us Circle of Survivors (SRUCOS). This nonprofit organization, officially established in 2014, provided direct financial services, supportive resources, and educational programming to women affected by breast cancer. Through a program like the Socks for Survivors initiative, SRUCOS made a tangible impact on the lives of over a thousand women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
Yvonne and other advocates met with their Senator about survivorship legislation on NCCS Hill Day 2023.
Yvonne’s involvement in advocacy expanded beyond SRUCOS as she ventured into community, policy, and research advocacy. Introduced to NCCS and the Cancer Policy and Advocacy Team (CPAT) by fellow advocate Roberta Albany, Yvonne found a platform to amplify her advocacy efforts.
Through NCCS, Yvonne found a community that helped redefine her identity. She shares, “It wasn’t until I was connected to NCCS and began to hear the language ‘you are a survivor the moment you are diagnosed’ did I lean in to accept the status of survivor.” For Yvonne, this shift in perspective highlighted the transformative power of collective support and understanding. She realized, “My role in advocacy is one part of a collective effort.” Yvonne eventually applied and was accepted into the Elevating Survivorship program at NCCS. With the support and training she gets as an Elevate Ambassador, Yvonne is empowered to provide supportive programs within her community.
As a seasoned advocate, Yvonne emphasizes the importance of survivors getting involved in advocacy and policy work. In addition to her work with NCCS, Yvonne engaged with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to support cancer-related policy efforts and currently serves as a research advocate with the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.
Yvonne encourages survivors to “stay connected, be an active listener, pace yourself, ask questions, and recognize the value each voice brings to the collective effort.” Every survivor’s journey, she asserts, matters in the broader narrative of advocacy and policy change. She believes that survivors’ stories can be catalysts for change at all levels, ultimately shaping policies that impact the everyday lives of cancer survivors.
Learn more about NCCS’s Elevating Survivorship (“Elevate”) initiative, a training and mentorship program for patient advocates interested in improving survivorship care in their community. Learn more about Elevate »
