2025 HEALTH MATTERS
THE SUMTER ITEM
OCTOBER 11 - OCTOBER 14, 2025
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A13
HEALTH MATTERS 2025
INSIDE
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Turkey pigs, witch pigs, Santa pigs: Manning artist’s gifts honor memory of coworker’s grandmother taken by stomach cancer
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FAQ about diabetes Cosmetic concerns and weight loss medications
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Sumter’s Faith Strong receives $20K to keep support group, honors late founder at annual Pink in the City event “This award reminds me that God is faithful and His hand is still on the calling to advocate for those impacted by breast cancer,” Ross told Royal Neighbors of America. “My prayer is to represent Christ well so He gets all the glory.” Before the award could be bestowed, Ross passed away on Aug. 29 at age 51.
BY Alaysha Maple Alaysha@theitem.com Ahead of its annual Pink In The City event, Faith Strong members got news that emphasized the impact their founder had on her community and a greater cause. Royal Neighbors of America announced on Friday, Oct. 3, that Faith Strong was the recipient of its 2025 Nation of Neighbors empowerment award and a $20,000 grant in honor of the late Faith Strong founder Tamekia Hunter Ross. Ross, a two-time breast
cancer survivor, founded the nonprofit to ensure no woman faces breast cancer alone. Through the years, the nonprofit has delivered gifts to breast cancer patients at local oncology clinics, hosted monthly BREASTie Groups and support groups for caregivers of cancer patients, coordinated an annual survivor retreat, hosted fundraisers that are as entertaining as they are informing, shared their stories on numerous platforms and hosted its annual Pink in the City, which seeks to raise awareness of breast cancer and honor those who have survived
and are thriving after their diagnosis. For Ross, this was all while she herself was traveling states away for chemotherapy. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 at age 41. She was able to go into remission. However, her second diagnosis would come three years later, this time as Stage IV. This year, she was named the recipient of the 2025 Nation of Neighbors Award, recognizing her as an influential leader who exemplified their “neighbor-helping-neighbor” mission of community service.
Royal Neighbors of America, one of the oldest women-founded fraternal life insurers founded in 1895 with the purpose of making life insurance accessible to women, joined in with Faith Strong members in honoring Ross at the annual Pink in the City on Saturday, Oct. 4. There, the organization presented the award and grant to members before a sea of community members, all pristine in their pink. “The Sumter community came together in full spirit, dressed in their best shades of pink and country western attire, for a day filled with fun, fellowship and heartfelt purpose - all in support of the fight against breast cancer,” Faith Strong said. During the event, both the City of Sumter and Sumter County made historic proclamations. Oct. 4, 2025, was officially proclaimed Pink In The City Day by City of Sumter, while Sumter County proclaimed the first
Saturday in October will be recognized each year as Pink In The City Day throughout the county. These proclamations serve as lasting tributes to the resilience and strength of survivors and families, while highlighting the importance of early detection, education and continued advocacy. Alongside this good news, entertainment and community spirit kept the vibe alive, thanks to performances by the TruKuntry Steppas and Sir James Soul Line Dancers. Crestwood High School’s football team also showed tremendous community spirit with helping vendors set up for event day. Before her death, Ross told Royal Neighbors “this grant will help us keep our third-Saturday BREASTies support group strong and give our ladies a special outing - moments of joy and community that mean everything when the days are hard.” To learn more about Faith Strong Inc., join its BREASTie Support Group, explore its services and volunteer opportunities or to make a donation, visit www.wearefaithstrong.com, email info@wearefaithstrong.com, or call (803) 458-6848.