In a room adorned with pink lights, tablecloths and paraphernalia, the smiles and laughs from cancer survivors and their loved ones shone brighter.
One of the brightest smiles was Taunya Campos. The Alvarado native spoke to a room of about 80 people at the Will Rogers Memorial Center, all of whom were either cancer survivors or celebrating a cancer survivor.
Campos shared her story with the group. The Stage 4 breast cancer thriver — her choice of words — was first made aware of her potential diagnosis in December 2019. Both she and her husband were self-employed and uninsured. Campos was left with no real place to turn.
Then, she found out about the Careity Foundation. After just one phone call, the nonprofit stepped in and guided her throughout the process, from her initial biopsy to continued support as Campos now gets an infusion every three weeks.
“In tiny little corners of the darkness, there’s always a light,” Campos said. “And that is where Careity is.”
Taunya Campos shares her story during the Careity Foundation Survivor Luncheon on Feb. 5 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Campos was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in December 2019. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Careity Foundation’s third annual survivor luncheon was the nonprofit’s final event at this year’s Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. The luncheon brought together folks from counties across the region, all of whom came together to honor Careity’s work and to celebrate each other’s journeys.
Fort Worth resident Marty Leonard, 89, (left) laughs with Beverly Branch, co-founder and president of the Careity Foundation, during the Survivor Luncheon on Feb. 5 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Leonard said they had been friends since the ’80s and commends her tremendously for how much the organization has grown. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
“It’s not a support group. It’s a day of celebration and fun,” said Lyn Walsh, co-founder and CEO of the Careity Foundation.
The nonprofit has worked since 2003 to provide direct patient services and resources to cancer patients. Patient services provided exceed 8,000 every year, according to the nonprofit, including mammograms, biopsies, CT lung scans and access to professionals such as oncology masseuses and nurse navigators.
The organization has a five-year working partnership with the stock show, including tabling and the Pink Night at the Rodeo, an event promoting breast cancer awareness that happened last week.
“It was just a fit,” Beverly Branch, co-founder and president of the Careity Foundation, said of the nonprofit’s relationship with the stock show. “They like the culture, the way we do things, and they knew patients that we had helped.”
Keller resident Giselle Williams, 60, listens to speakers during the Careity Foundation Survivor Luncheon on Feb. 5 at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Williams was diagnosed with cancer in May 2023 and she still uses the psychotherapy services. She said even after she finished treatments she realized her journey isn’t over. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
At the luncheon, Careity brought two acts to draw laughs and cheers from the crowd — ventriloquist and former Miss Texas Gloria Gilbert-Barron and former Radio City Rockette Merrill West.
The entertainment for the event wasn’t just to bring smiles to attendees. The event also created a sense of normalcy, Campos said.
“When you have cancer, everything slows down,” she said. “With this kind of thing, (you realize), ‘Oh, I’m not alone.’”
Careity’s events are not isolated to the stock show, said Leon Henry, a longtime volunteer for the foundation.
“This event especially, but anytime we do outreach at events or have a fundraiser, there’s always somebody that will walk up and say, ‘You saved my brother, you saved my sister, you saved my family, or you saved me. We cannot say enough good about Careity, because they do care,’” Henry said.
That effect is echoed by the survivors who Careity supports. Every time she goes in for an infusion, Campos sits next to someone new, tries to lift their spirits and makes them aware of resources that are available.
“Everybody needs a Careity in their life, especially if they’re going through cancer,” she said.
Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org.
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