As part of AstraZeneca’s Accelerate Change Together (ACT) initiative, BlackDoctor.org and Black Doctor Foundation (BDF) organized a “Community Voices Against Cancer & Lupus” panel discussion on cancer and lupus, featuring patient survivors, moderated by Dr. Reed Tuckson. The Choose Healthy Life 2025 National Conclave is the first in-person conclave of four events BDO is establishing around the country to rally our communities on and offline about safeguarding their health. Reverend Al Sharpton and gospel singer JJ Hairston also made appearances as a keynote speaker and special performer, respectively.
With an audience of nearly 200 health navigators, faith-based leaders and unsung heroes, the conversation centers around personal experiences, the importance of early detection, community support, and the challenges faced by both men and women in navigating cancer diagnoses. In alignment with BDF’s founding principle of ensuring everyone has an equal opportunity to live the healthiest life possible, this panel hopes to create a vision of health equity where individuals can reach their full health potential without disadvantage due to social position or racial injustice.
Donna’s Story: It all started with a sharp chest pain
Donna Thompson, an American Lung Association ambassador living with both lung cancer and lupus, shares a powerful account of her journey. Diagnosed with lung cancer in 2015 after experiencing chest pain, she emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s body: “I had a sharp chest pain and then I heard the voice say, ‘Get up and go right now.’ And so I did that. I went to the ER…” Her initial diagnosis was early-stage, leading to the removal of her upper right lung lobe. However, the cancer returned, requiring further surgeries and treatments.
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She candidly describes the challenges, including a severe acute kidney injury in 2025, resulting from medication side effects: “I spent 30 days out of two months in the hospital. I experienced kidney failure twice… I did not know if I would survive.” This led to a diagnosis of lupus, complicating her cancer treatment. Lupus is more common in Black individuals than in other racial groups, with Black women being three times more likely to develop lupus compared to white women. Black individuals with lupus often experience more severe disease manifestations, including higher rates of kidney involvement and organ damage, and have higher mortality rates due to complications such as infections, cardiovascular disease, and renal failure.
Despite these hardships, Donna stresses the importance of proactive healthcare and community support: “It gave me so much more than it ever took from me… I never feared for my life.” She also highlights the stigma surrounding lung cancer, noting that doctors initially focused on whether she smoked, rather than the disease itself: “People automatically assume that you smoke. Number one, no one deserves lung cancer.” Black men are more likely to develop and die from lung cancer, with an incidence rate approximately 15% higher than white men. The five-year survival rate for Black individuals diagnosed with lung cancer is lower than that of white individuals, attributed to factors such as later stage at diagnosis and disparities in access to high-quality care, as well as higher smoking rates and exposure to environmental pollutants among Black men.
Now, she advocates for community building and shared experiences as crucial for support and awareness. Her faith also played a significant role: “Love literally saved my life… it gives me hope, confidence, expectations on God’s promises.”
Kenneth’s story: “Prostate cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence”
Kenneth Gifford, a filmmaker, recounts his experience with prostate cancer. He attributes his early detection to a Blueprint for Wellness event where he underwent testing: “I took the test and found out I had prostate cancer.” He emphasizes the importance of a positive mindset, noting that a spiritual message to “change your mindset” four years prior prepared him for the diagnosis. Black men have the highest incidence rate of prostate cancer in the U.S. and are more than twice as likely to die from the disease compared to white men.
He highlights the challenges men face in discussing health issues, particularly prostate cancer: “I did what most men do and I didn’t say anything… for hours. I just sat with it.” He emphasizes the need for vulnerability and open communication with other men, particularly the importance of speaking to someone without judgment: “I needed to speak to… another man without judgment. Because as men, we… fear what’s going to come out of another man’s mouth when we have this conversation.”
He also acknowledges the role of his wife and pastor in providing support. Kenneth stresses that prostate cancer is not a death sentence and encourages men to seek help and not suffer in silence: “Prostate cancer is not a death sentence. You have to know that you have the ability to control your body, control your mind, and speak to someone.” He also points out the often overlooked connection between mental health and prostate cancer: “Stress is a super feeder for prostate cancer.” While the overall survival rate for prostate cancer is high, Black men tend to have poorer outcomes, often due to later stage at diagnosis and differences in treatment, with genetic factors also contributing to a higher risk and more aggressive nature of prostate cancer in Black men.
The conversation underscores the importance of early detection, proactive healthcare, and the crucial role of community and faith in navigating cancer journeys. Both Donna and Kenneth emphasize the need to break down stigmas and encourage open communication, particularly among men, to facilitate early diagnosis and effective treatment. Cancer continues to disproportionately affect the Black community, with Black individuals more likely to die from most cancers and having the shortest survival time after diagnosis compared to other racial/ethnic groups.
Black Doctor Foundation and AstraZeneca Partnership
BDF and AstraZeneca have collaborated for several years to educate and inform Black patients, leading to significant gains for the Black community by focusing on solutions to improve Black health.
Donna’s experience highlights the complexities of co-occurring illnesses, while Kenneth’s story emphasizes the importance of mental health in cancer prevention and treatment. The panel discussion serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of community support in the face of adversity. The speakers’ shared experiences offer valuable insights and encouragement for others facing similar challenges. Through programs like “Community Voices Against Cancer & Lupus,” BDF aims to improve health outcomes and advance health equity within the Black community with continued support from AstraZeneca.
