April Love’s journey with breast cancer began as an unexpected turn in late 2009. Known for her dedication to health and wellness, she regularly attended routine check-ups, never anticipating the news she would receive just before the holidays. Following an anomaly on her mammogram, additional tests revealed that she had Stage 3 estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The diagnosis was shocking and overwhelming, marking the beginning of an intense battle that would test her resilience and determination to its limits.
The Diagnosis: Confronting a Life-Changing Reality
Love was 39 years old when she received her diagnosis, and the weight of the news took time to process.
“The year was wrapping up, and I went in for an appointment with my primary care doctor. She scheduled me for a mammogram, which was set for Black Friday of that year, 2009. I didn’t think much of it at the time. The mammogram didn’t concern me initially, but they ended up scheduling me for a biopsy. Then, on Christmas Eve in 2009, I got the call confirming it was breast cancer—stage 3,” she recalls.
The uncertainty surrounding her future was almost paralyzing, but a crucial conversation with her breast care surgeon turned the tide.
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“After hearing the diagnosis, I was lost,” Love tells BlackDoctor.org. “I didn’t follow up right away because it was so difficult to process. A nurse finally reached me on the phone, saying it was urgent. I’ll never forget her asking me, ‘Do you want to live?'”
Love immediately knew the answer. She wasn’t ready to give up; she had dreams and a purpose to fulfill. This moment of truth marked her decision to fight with everything she had.
The Battle Begins: Navigating Treatment and Resilience
Love’s treatment was nothing short of grueling. She underwent two rounds of 28-week chemotherapy, 48 radiation treatments, and a surgery to remove affected lymph nodes.
“After the diagnosis, I focused on shrinking the tumor before surgery, as it was pretty large. The treatment was intense, but I coupled it with naturopathic healing modalities as well,” Love notes.
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The treatments drained her physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, Love leaned into her support system, which included her family, friends, and spiritual faith, and balanced her medical treatments with holistic practices. Integrating therapies like breathwork, Tai Chi, and laughter therapy, she found ways to support her body and mind through each stage, believing that healing was as much a mental journey as it was a physical one.
“I eventually reached remission after about a year and a half, and I celebrated it as ‘no more permission’ for cancer to come back into my body,” Love adds.
Transforming Pain into Purpose
Throughout her treatment, Love experienced an awakening: she wanted to help other women, especially Black women, who face unique challenges in breast cancer care. Black women in the U.S. have a 40 percent higher mortality rate from breast cancer compared to white women, often due to barriers in access to early detection and appropriate care. Determined to make a difference, Love began to speak out, sharing her story and advocating for better support and resources for women of color.
“I started hosting ‘Pink Parties’ to raise awareness, and it grew into something bigger,” she shares.
Originally, the “Pink Parties” started during Love’s chemotherapy treatments as a way to lift her own spirits, but they soon evolved into gatherings that offered connection, support, and empowerment for women facing similar battles.
This advocacy work grew into the Pink Awards Gala, an annual event that celebrates breast cancer survivors and changemakers. The Pink Awards Foundation now funds initiatives to bridge gaps in healthcare education and resources.
“Through events like the Pink Awards and Pink Society, I advocate for breast cancer education and community support. I emphasize knowing your specific diagnosis—whether it’s estrogen-receptor positive or HER2 negative, for instance—because treatment and prevention vary. For women of color, the advocacy work is particularly crucial because of the unique challenges and disparities we face,” Love says.
Love hopes to inspire other communities, organizations, and healthcare providers to join her cause. She’s also pushing for greater representation of Black women in clinical trials, ensuring treatments are tailored to their unique needs. “We need to be working collectively,” she adds.
A Visionary with a Mission
Love’s life as a breast cancer advocate is intertwined with her successful career in media and brand strategy. As the Founder and CEO of Ask April Love and Vanguard Creative Group, she has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including CeeLo Green, PJ Morton, Monica, and the Wu-Tang Clan, helping them build powerful brands and connect with audiences around the world. Love’s work spans across high-profile platforms like BET, Variety, and Good Morning America, making her one of the most sought-after media strategists in the industry.
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But despite her success, Love’s true passion has become her advocacy for health equity and support for breast cancer survivors. She established The Gathering 824: A Soul Revival, a faith-based event that combines spiritual celebration with community support. Love uses her platform not only to help women find healing but also to foster spaces where spirituality, resilience, and empowerment intersect.
Moving Forward: A Legacy of Strength and Community
Beyond her role in the entertainment industry, Love is a celebrated philanthropist, recently honored by Black Media Honors for her contributions to media and advocacy. Inspired by her own journey, she launched the Just Breathe with April Love podcast, where she and her guests share their own moments of resilience and transformation. Her goal is to inspire others to face their hardest challenges with hope and determination.
“The world needs guidance and inspiration right now,” she says, and she’s determined to be part of that light.
With over a decade of survivorship behind her, Love continues to inspire breast cancer warriors and survivors, reminding them—and the world—that even in the face of life’s greatest trials, purpose and community can turn pain into power.
Advice for the Newly Diagnosed
Love’s advice for those recently diagnosed with breast cancer is simple yet profound:
- Breathe and Find Support – She encourages others to take time to process and to avoid facing the journey alone. Whether through support groups, family, or community programs, she stresses the importance of finding people to lean on.
- Self-Care is Key – From watching comedies to practicing yoga, Love found solace in small moments of self-care and recommends others do the same. “Self-care is essential,” she says, emphasizing that mental well-being is as important as physical health.
- Stay Informed – Knowledge is power. Understanding your diagnosis, asking questions, and exploring complementary therapies can be empowering during a time when many feel helpless.
For those inspired to support Love’s cause, the Pink Awards Foundation and the Pink Society welcome volunteers, donations, and participation. Interested supporters can find more information on the foundation’s Instagram and website. Love also shares her journey and advocacy work on her personal account.
