When doctors told Melissa Weaver the lump she had felt for six months was not cancerous and didn’t need to be removed, they suggested it was due to hormonal changes. However, she wasn’t convinced and sought more conclusive answers.

Six months later, she got answers, although it wasn’t the diagnosis any woman wants to hear, especially at age 37. It was breast cancer. Her loving spouse, a Virginia Commonwealth University employee, suggested she make an appointment at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Weaver took the advice and soon her journey began.

According to The Journal of the American Medical Association, breast cancer misdiagnosis occurs in 10% to 20% of cases.

The delayed diagnosis of breast cancer is a leading source of error in clinical practice. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the five-year relative breast cancer survival rate is 99%, according to research at the National Cancer Society.

One in eight women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime, according to the research. Still, Black women have the lowest five-year relative breast cancer survival rate of any racial or ethnic group and are 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women.

“The care I have received at Massey provided hope when I could not rise from bed,” Weaver said. “They gave me compassion when shame and loneliness filled the corners of my life and purpose when I could not find my way after cancer.”

Weaver’s new purpose has been to help breast cancer survivors heal from the emotional and mental effects of cancer because she knows firsthand what a toll it can take.

“It’s important to talk about it,” she said. “The emotional scars are still there. How do I continue to fit in, connect and find meaning when treatment ends? What does my life look like now — my work, my relationships, being a parent?”

As a member services manager and consultant with Here for the Girls, a nonprofit offering social and emotional support, Weaver believes she’s found meaning and connection.

She can help others by sharing her experience. As chair of the 30th Annual Women and Wellness Luncheon/ VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, she wants to continue to share wisdom from the past, gratitude from the present and hope for the future.

“Being a part of Women and Wellness has provided a way to use my voice to inspire others to continue to connect, educate, and advocate,” Weaver said.

Meet the breast cancer survivor who plays pickleball, discovered a passion for travel after her diagnosis, and this week’s Personality Melissa Weaver:

Volunteer position: Chair, 30th Annual Women and Wellness Luncheon/ VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Occupation: Mental health clinician and member Service manager at Here for the Girls, Inc. and H4TG Counseling. Here for the Girls, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that provides support to those facing a Breast Cancer Diagnosis.

Place of birth: Richmond.

Where I live now: Richmond.

Education: Master’s in social work, Virginia Commonwealth University.

Family: Spouse and two children, ages 16 and 18.

What is VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center: Founded in 1974, it’s a non-profit organization part of VCU and a resource for cancer research, treatment and clinical trials as well as training of the region’s oncologists.

Mission: To reduce the state cancer burden for all Virginians by addressing the confluence between biological, social and policy drivers through high-impact, cutting-edge research; person-centered care across the continuum, from prevention through survivorship; community integration; and training the next generation of community-centric researchers and healthcare professionals.

When, where and why founded: The center, named after a major gift from William and Evan Massey, was founded in 1974 to provide community engagement in cancer care and research.

Founder: Walter Lawrence Jr., M.D.

How long I’ve been involved with VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center: As a patient, I have been involved with VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center for 11 years and Women and Wellness for three years.

Why the center is especially meaningful to me: My father attended VCU. I received my undergraduate and graduate degrees from VCU and have been a School of Social Work instructor for 15 years. My spouse has worked for VCU for over 20 years, and my son recently began attending VCU.

More importantly, Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center saved my life.

What is the 30th Annual Women and Wellness Luncheon: In 1995, a group of women with a shared mission gathered to create the event to share information and advocate for early detection and screenings while raising more than $5 million to drive research and innovation at VCU Massey. The event has grown into a tradition of women empowering women in the fight against women’s cancer.

Founders: Adrienne Maxwell, Julie Fritz and Judy Brown.

Purpose of luncheon: The 30th anniversary celebrates the evolution of women’s cancer research in that time and the quality of care, which means more and more people are surviving cancer each year. Because of this special anniversary, we will highlight Massey’s work in the fight against cancer and how the Richmond community plays an influential role in that fight.

Why I accepted the role as chair of the 30th Annual Women and Wellness Luncheon: I wanted to bring the vision of a “WE” are Women and Wellness to life. From the first moment people walk into

The Jefferson Hotel to the final steps when leaving the event, I want people to experience a sense of connectedness to others and the mission of Women and Wellness. The story of Women and Wellness consists of hundreds of voices and I want them all to feel heard.

Event details: Feb. 4, 2025 at The Jefferson Hotel. Judith Pearson is the keynote speaker. Tickets are $175 and can be purchased at masseycancercenter.org.

How the event will benefit women and wellness at Massey: The donations through the event go to the Women and Wellness Fund, which specifically funds women’s cancer research at Massey.

30th Annual Women and Wellness Luncheon partners with: The partner list is wide, including the committee, Massey faculty and staff, the Jefferson, the speakers, the sponsors, etc.

How to contribute to the Women and Wellness Luncheon: Women and Wellness offers many opportunities for involvement throughout the year. The “Ray of Hope” newsletter promotes all events at Massey, including Women and Wellness. Donations are accepted throughout the year, and we encourage people to join the committee to help with future events.

How I start the day: I would like to say that I start every day with an affirmation, and some days I am successful with this, but some days I wake up with a feeling of urgency to explore, experience and connect with life because I hear the clock ticking.

The three words that best describe me: Determined, consistent and compassionate.

If I had 10 extra minutes in the day: I would just sit in the quiet.

Best late-night snack: Popcorn.

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

My music playlist consists of: Songs that inspire me or tell a story.

A quote that inspires me: “What would life be like if we had no courage to attempt anything” — Van Gogh.

The best thing my parents taught me: The gifts of determination and curiosity.

Most influential book: “Love, Medicine and Miracles” by Bernie S. Seigel.

Next goal: To continue with the creation and deployment of a counseling center at Here for the Girls.