Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara Edwards.
Barbara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story began over 14 years ago as my youngest sister, at the age of 43 years old, passed away from breast cancer. I watched her slowly slip away the day before she passed; I gained strength from watching her face death strong and showing no fear of death.
I remember thinking I’m the older sister, I can’t let her see any fear or weakness in me! Plus, our family had just buried my oldest niece two weeks prior due to a car accident.
Fast forward four years later, I myself received a diagnosis of triple-negative breast cancer. Thus, RMT Cancer Network Inc. was started to assist those going through cancer.
RMT is named in honor of my youngest sister, Rose M Turknett.
RMT main office is in the Dallas Fort Worth Area, but we have assisted people all over the USA.
Our pink boxing gloves mission of hope
has traveled all over, sharing hope to people going through cancer.
The reason I, the founder, started the 50-state mission of Hope is as a survivor myself; it wasn’t very often I was given any positive reactions to cancer.
People would tell me stories of every horrible detail of a friend, family member, or coworker how they suffered from cancer and then died.
I Knew not to let it affect me, but I have met people that refused treatment for cancer because someone had shared all the horrible details of a friend or family member experience.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been ups and downs and not always a smooth road. RMT is a small grassroots organization, and we have assisted thousands of people in many underserved communities, New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nevada, Maine, Georgia, Florida, And Oklahoma.
Within these states, we have serviced many different cities. Community Outreach events, our pink boxing gloves mission of hope.
The major struggles we are small, serving large numbers, but our name isn’t known like some of the larger organizations.
Media platforms have been a struggle to connect with in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m retired and the founder and executive director of Rose M Turknett Cancer Network.
Before I retired, I worked in marketing, accounting, and advertising.
I wear many different hats with RMT.
I’m An Ordained Minister, Pastor, Licensed Chaplain, and in the state of Florida a trained victim advocate.
I’m proud that in my late 60’s, I became an artist, and I create original art to raise funds for RMT.
I’m a people person, very easy to talk with, I love to encourage others to be and do their best.
I’m known for always smiling and enjoy helping others.
I will say I specialize in treating everyone kindly with a personal touch. We can’t assist every person the same way. People need to feel that we care about them, and I show each person in a way that they understand they are cared about.
I don’t try to change people; I let them see me and how I treat them, and then if they need to change their attitude, they do. I never try to force any assistance or services on anyone.
I have been blessed where some people have shared their hopes, fears and doubts that they never share with family or friends.
I believe this may set me apart from many. I believe they feel and understand they can trust me.
Trust is important when you are dealing with services that could save a person’s life or make their life easier while going through cancer.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success to me is starting and finishing! Many start but never finish because of the struggles.
We can’t stop because of a roadblock.
For example, almost 2 years ago, I attended a non-profit conference. I was sick with allergies, and trust me, it wasn’t a cold or covid.
I wasn’t my usual meet-and-speak with every person attending because I figured they may think I had covid.
I decided to walk over to a table share who I was, and say I had allergies.
When I shared who and what our organization offered, one young lady said wow, I need health insurance. She went on to share that she had lost her insurance, and a major hospital had stopped her treatment for late-stage triple-negative breast cancer.
I pulled out my cell phone gave her a phone number and name. I advised her to inform the person I referred her.
Understand this would be free insurance that paid for all her treatments.
I followed up with her in two weeks; she had insurance, and her treatments were continued.
She now Introduces my as the person who saved her life.
She had Chemotherapy and Surgery.
I didn’t save her life, but the services RMT provided did assist her with a lifesaving information.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Rose M Turknett Cancer Network
- Facebook: Rose M Turknett Cancer Network
- Linkedin: Rose M Turknett Cancer Network Inc
- Youtube: RMT Cancer Network Inc
