Dee Dee Ricks is an incredible survivor and inspiration. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer at the age of 38. The divorced mother of two began her battle of survival for her two boys.
While fighting for her life, she realized the advantage she had...money. She had money that allowed her access to the best doctor, advisors and childcare.
One week after having a double mastectomy, Dee Dee traveled from her penthouse apartment to a world away in Harlem to meet with a renowned surgeon, Dr. Harold Freeman and her life changed again. She began her transformation from a hedge-fund career to a Philanthropist raising money for a Harlem cancer clinic that treats underserved and uninsured patients.
She decided from then on to dedicate her life as a patient advocate and a champion of Patient Navigation to help those who did not have the advantages and money she did through her cancer journey.
Since being diagnosed, she has raised over $10 million dollar and personally given over six figures.
You even made an HBO documentary "The Education of Dee Dee Ricks" following her battle to help poor women have the same chance for a cure that she did.
I found out about this story through a co-worker who sent me a link to a video she watched, "A Tale of Two Patients: Survival Barriers for Poor Women with Breast Cancer."
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