Today we’d like to introduce you to Narfunda Ross.
Hi Narfunda , so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In 2008, I suffered the loss of my father. He appeared to me in a dream, telling me I had a mass on my right lung. Months later, and just after my 33rd birthday, I was diagnosed with acid reflux. The pain was so unbearable, I had to leave my uncle’s funeral and come home. At that point, I was grabbing my chest and felt a hard object under the skin. Called my sister, who instructed me to call the doctor since our mother had been diagnosed with breast cancer two years earlier. After a mammogram and biopsy, the results were positive. It was breast cancer. Married with two small children, I thought my world was coming to an end. I didn’t understand what was about to happen. All I wanted to do was live to see my children graduate from high school. Life at this point were about conscious, healthy decisions. I wanted to appear strong as I saw my mother on her journey. But when I was alone, I cried to myself. I was about to lose an attribute and face other challenges I did not know how to navigate, or even know of I would make live through those decisions. Having my sister by my side and coaching me along the way, made the surgical process easier to absorb. I made it through a double mastectomy and reconstruction on one setting, and 6 rounds of chemotherapy. 6 years later, in 2014, my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. At this point, Im questioning what type of curse is on my family. Later discovering our (mom, sister, & myself) cancer was not hereditary, we have a unique mutation of a gene.
In Summer 2015, while watching the news, I saw coverage of a breast cancer event and thought it would be good to have one in our area as well. After 3 months of quick planning, a breast cancer walk with 250+ participants was happening. From that walk, Walking to Help those In Pink was organized. In 2016, with such an overwhelming response of a need of a local breast cancer organization, we went from Walking to Help those in Pink to Working to Help those In Pink. (Team W.H.I.P.).
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
A cancer journey is never a smooth journey but I am grateful. First of all, a woman who has been augmented lives the rest of her life struggling, emotionally and physically. There are days during treatment you are fatigue, short memory loss, experience fluctuating weight, hair loss, and more side effects from chemo. There is an emotional struggle. Thoughts if your spouse or significant other is going to stay or leave you stuck battling alone. There is an emotional struggle of whether the cancer will return and if it be discoverable in a timely manner. The emotional struggle if you feel accepted in society knowing you are “missing” body parts. The struggle of also seeing another patient have an incurable diagnosis or given a short period of time to live and its nothing you can do or say to make their journey less complicated.
Having a mother and a sister diagnosed with breast cancer also, you live in fear of it returning or showing up in your offsprings.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Est. in 2015, W.H.I.P. supports breast cancer patients, survivors, and their support systems to “thrive beyond a color”. Team WHIP empowers those affected by breast cancer by bridging wellness and survivorship. Through grants and community partnerships, we effectively serve the community in education and outreach. We offer financial assistance and create safe spaces for survivors to heal, advocate for themselves, and access the tools needed to thrive in mind, body, and spirit. Our goal is to thrive beyond the color. We believe that every survivor deserves to transition from survivorship to thrivership, embracing healing alongside us. No survivor is left behind on this journey.
We set ourselves apart because we are the NOW help for our local communities. Its not a lot of red tape nor is it an extensive period of wait time before connections are made.
I am proud because so many survivors in East Alabama and beyond have been blessed with the presence of Team WHIP and experienced a sisterhood.
Team WHIP is community based and community engaged. Since 2016, we are community partners with Dr. Merner’s Lab – The Gene Machine of Auburn University. The Gene Machine studies the genetics of African American women who have been diagnosed or affected by breast cancer. We are also partnered with Forge Breast Cancer Survivor in Birmingham, AL, where they sponsor our Coffee and Coping Conversations. I am most proud of our webcast, P.I.N.K. Portal., where broadcast boadly, build cofidence, community, and wellness. We are all things PINK. PINK represents Prevention, Inspiration, Navigation, and Knowledge. Survivors who enter the PINK Portal have an opportunity to have a voice, sharing their journey and inspiring others.
In 2016, I started my photography business, 1033 Photography. Taking pictures was a sure way to share memories if the cancer came back of a side effect from chemo would surface. People inquired and what began as a hobby later snapped into business. Recently, in April, I was awarded the 2026 BeeTV Awards Best Photographer.
Having endured cancer has taught me to document and enjoy every moment of life.
And yes, I have a full time job as a victim’s advocate.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
We are always seeking volunteers to help with community work. Team WHIP is made up of 85% breast cancer survivors, volunteer basis. You do not have to be a survivor to contribute time or donations. . Anyone who wants to support our community efforts, whether physically or financially, visit our website www.teamwhip2015.com
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.teamwhip2015.com
- Instagram: www.teamwhip2015.com/@teamwhip2015
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whip1025
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamwhipalabama2015
- Other: https://www.tenthirtythreephotograpy.net
