Joyce Woolridge is an advocate for people to have their annual health checkups and cancer screenings.

“Cancer checkups are not to be run from,” she says. “They are to be run to, especially women. It is also important for men because they can have breast or prostate cancer, as well as other forms of the disease.

“As African-Americans, we need to open our minds to say, ‘God has blessed me this year and nothing is wrong.’ So we need to have a (cancer screening again) next year,” Mrs. Woolridge says.

The retired music teacher and Henrico resident takes cancer seriously. Her daughter, Dr. Tanya L. Woolridge, died of breast cancer at age 30.

That is why Mrs. Woolridge joined the Richmond Metropolitan Chapter of The Charmettes Inc., a women’s organization dedicated to bringing community awareness to cancer through education, community projects and health fairs, as well as providing services and support for people with cancer.

Mrs. Woolridge is chair of the chapter’s annual “Women of Faith Praying for A Cure” prayer brunch, scheduled this year for Saturday, April 20. Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used by The Charmettes to purchase wigs for cancer patients, provide mammograms, host community forums, support cancer research efforts and support activities for families and children fighting cancer.

“We believe that through prayer, financial support and research, researchers will eradicate cancer in our lifetime,” Mrs. Woolridge says.

In 1981, The Charmettes adopted a national push to help end cancer. The national organization, established in 1951 in West Palm Beach, Fla., now has 19 chapters in six states and the District of Columbia that have contributed more than $600,000 to the Howard University Cancer Center.

“In 2006, the chemotherapy infusion center at Howard was named The Charmettes Inc. Gwendolyn B. Rodgers Chemotherapy Infusion Suite in honor of the long-term support” the organization has provided, Mrs. Woolridge says.

The late Ms. Rodgers was one of the founders of The Charmettes.

Mrs. Woolridge says her daughter’s death was the turning point for her to help others dealing with cancer. Her daughter, she says, had graduated from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, completed her residency at MCV, done an internal medicine fellowship at the University of Florida and was planning to return to Richmond to practice when she died.

“Young people need to know that you don’t have to be 25 or 30 to have cancer,” she says. “Cancer can affect anyone — from babies to adults.”

With 21 members, the Richmond Metropolitan Chapter of The Charmettes sponsors an annual toy drive for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, participates in various programs sponsored by the American Cancer Society, including the Sisters Network Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, hosts several community health forums and provides health information and awareness through its nurse’s ministry at Fifth Baptist Church.

The prayer brunch is The Charmettes’ latest effort to help people dealing with cancer and other diseases.

“We continue to seek innovative ways of raising awareness of cancer,” she says.

Meet health advocate and this week’s Personality, Joyce Woolridge:

No. 1 volunteer position: Chairperson of The Charmettes’ “Women of Faith Praying for A Cure” prayer brunch.

Occupation: Retired Richmond Public Schools music teacher.

Date and place of birth: Jan. 12 in Elon, N.C.

Current residence: Henrico County.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Hampton University; and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Family: Husband, Calvin Woolridge; son, William C. Woolridge III; daughter, Tanya L. Woolridge, who is deceased.

When and why I became involved with Richmond Metropolitan Chapter of The Charmettes Inc.: I became a member of The Charmettes in 2016 because I lost my daughter to cancer. I’m very passionate about helping others and giving back to my community by supporting fundraising events, community service projects and working with an amazing group of women for a wonderful cause.

I’m excited about this organization because: The Charmettes’ purpose is to help bring awareness to cancer through education, community projects, health fairs and providing services and support for people with cancer.

The Charmettes’ mission: The Charmettes is a sisterhood of dedicated women committed to improving the quality of life within our communities through advocacy, education, service and support for cancer research.

How I start the day: I start my day by turning around, getting on my knees and letting the Lord lead me throughout my day.

A perfect day for me is: Everything is quiet, things are going well and never missing a day hearing from my grandchildren.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Cooking.

A quote that I am inspired by: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

How I unwind: Walking.

Three words that best describe me: Honest, dependable and trustworthy.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Finding time to de-clutter the clothes in my closet.

The person who influenced me the most: My mother.

What I’m reading now: “Target: Alex Cross” by James Patterson.

My next goal: To become more involved with the chapter’s community service projects and help with bringing awareness to cancer research.