Breast cancer is not a journey any woman should take alone.
A Breast Cancer Walk sponsored by Divine Branches was held Saturday, Oct. 15, with 95 participants registered and approximately 75-80 active participants taking part in the event.
Divine Branches was founded by Bessie Orsby-Jones after going into the remission stage of cancer. Jones said she was in great need of a support group, but there was not one available in her community. She had a conversation about her concerns with Kenita Faye Miller, a cancer survivor and classmate of 12 years from St Louis.
Later, Jones was given an invitation to join The Breakfast Club Cancer Support group in St. Louis through virtual access. Jones said she soon felt strongly about forming a support group of her own, and she searched for survivors in and around Clarksdale. She started the support group with Catherine Holmes, Mary Caradine, Vanessa Lampkin and Joyce Clark.
Jones said she prayed about the name of the support group and God gave her the word Divine. After she expressed it to the group, one of the members shouted, “Branches.” Thus, the name “The Divine Branches” was agreed upon. Divine means directed by God, and branches was based on John 15:5 “I am the Vine you are the Branches.” She knew that if the branches stayed connected to the Vine they would go forth and be productive.
The first Annual Divine Branches Breast Cancer Walk began at Westgate Shopping Center where participants picked up t-shirts designed by her son, Demetry Hughes, Acalm Creation.
Participants received a breast cancer lapel pin and an agenda of daily activities.
Commissioner Willie Turner offered prayer and the Clarksdale Police Department assisted with the walk to the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium.
Jones ushered everyone to the gazebo to honor survivors with special gifts.
Door prizes were given and the survivors rung bells provided by Chief Rocky Nabors of the Clarksdale Fire Department. The ringing of the bells was a great sound to the ears of the cancer survivors as they reflected on reaching any type of milestone during cancer treatment. To remember those who lives were loss during their battle against breast cancer, pink balloons were released into the air as their names were acknowledged.
The event concluded with participants receiving bags of happies, knowledgeable materials, and a healthy brunch box catered by The Fit Bar of West Helena.
Jones offered a special thanks to all of the participants, volunteers and sponsors.
